Child Support Specialist

County of Portage; Ravenna (OH); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Portage is seeking a Child Support Case Investigator to join the Child Support Enforcement Agency. Under supervision, you will investigate cases, determine obligations, and initiate enforcement where appropriate.

Responsibilities include interviewing clients, locating absent parents, calculating support based on guidelines, maintaining case narratives, and generating court-related correspondence. A 2-year degree is required, with strong record-keeping and data entry skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum Associate degree in social services, criminal justice, or business-related field.
• Experience in client interviews and gathering information.
• Ability to analyze cases and determine support obligations.
• Strong record-keeping and document preparation.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and analyze child support cases to enforce orders.
• Interview clients to obtain information on absent parents and assets.
• Prepare and send correspondence to clients, employers, and courts.
• Maintain accurate case narratives and update SETS records.
• Assist with enforcement actions including income withholding and license suspensions.

Skills

Investigations

Interviews

Record keeping

Data entry

Communication

Education

Associate degree

Tools

SETS

Job description

• Base Pay $21.09 / Hour
• Employee Type FT Classified Non-Exempt
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree

Description

Under the direct supervision of a JFS Supervisor, investigate and analyze child support cases and initiate administrative action to facilitate the enforcement of child support orders and laws.

Requirements

Accept and process applications and referrals from clients desiring services from the Child Support Enforcement Agency and referrals from the IV-A/IV-D/IV-E interface. Request sanctions for noncompliance. Interview clients to secure information concerning location of absent parents, paternity, enforcement of court orders for spousal support, child support, medical support, and other such court related actions. Conduct administrative review of cases on an ongoing basis and take action to modify such orders in accordance with the Ohio Supreme Court guidelines and other applicable laws and regulations. Determine income and calculate child support obligations based on established guidelines and applicable laws and regulations. Perform investigations in order to locate assets, verify the location of absent parents, to establish paternity, or to collect such information needed to establish, enforce, terminate or modify court orders. Keep accurate records of actions on case narrative and maintain records of all child support court actions. Generate necessary CSEA correspondence to clients, obligors, employers, courts and other governmental agencies related to the Child Support program. Obtain genetic samples from custodial parent, child, alleged father, or other appropriate family members as ordered by the court or administrative hearing officer. Research and verify private medical insurance coverage for case participants and adjust updates financial records based on findings. Enter and retrieve data from appropriate systems. Research, obtain, and interpret journal entries and/or any other court documents pertaining to child support and/or spousal support. Update SETS based on the court orders. Initiate administrative enforcement actions including, but not limited to, default, income withholdings, seek work orders, passport suspension, license suspension, financial institution data matches, lump sum, tax and lottery intercept. Assist CSEA legal counsel and/or Prosecutor in matters pertaining to child support collections; arrange enforcement and prosecution for failure to provide support. Analyze, verify, calculate balances and reconcile discrepancies. Update case financial records. Accept client payments, balance cash drawer and prepare daily deposit. Work with Child Support Payment Central to resolve issues regarding payments, recoupments, stop payments, voids, and payment corrections.

Summary

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Associate’s degree in social services, Criminal Justice or Business-related field required.

Must possess a valid Ohio driver’s license and maintain continuing eligibility under the existing County driver eligibility standards.