Child Support Specialist

Langlade County; Town of Antigo (WI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Langlade County seeks a Child Support Specialist to establish paternity, and establish, modify, and enforce court-ordered support and medical obligations. You will manage an active caseload, perform extensive locate activities, maintain case records, and coordinate actions with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities include drafting pleadings, reviewing financial documents, and pursuing enforcement measures when needed.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of state-wide KIDS system and related databases.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal regulations, state statutes, and court orders.
• Strong analytical, financial, and data collection skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; professional in sensitive situations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and organizational tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage an ongoing child support caseload in compliance with regulations and performance goals.
• Use KIDS and other databases daily to maintain accurate records and log actions.
• Investigate and locate absent parents using locate services and public records.
• Establish paternity and orders through court actions or stipulations with counsel.
• Prepare legal pleadings, motions, orders, and UIFSA forms for review by attorneys or judges.
• Review financial documents to calculate support obligations and arrearages.
• Initiate enforcement remedies for non-compliance (license suspensions, tax intercepts, liens).
• Coordinate genetic testing and schedule case preparations, including out-of-state parties.
• Testify at hearings regarding case history and enforcement actions.
• Communicate with participants, employers, and agencies maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

KIDS system knowledge

Regulatory interpretation

Analytical & financial calculations

Written & verbal communication

Organization & attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in human services/legal studies

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

KIDS

CARES

CCAP

Job description

Child Support Specialist

Locations: Antigo

Department: Child Support

Reports to: Director of Child Support

Grade/Wage: Grade 6/starting at $23.54

FLSA Status/Hours: Non-exempt, up to 40 Hours per week

Summary

This role is responsible for establishing paternity, as well as establishing, modifying, and enforcing court-ordered child support and medical obligations. This role manages an active caseload, conducts extensive locate and investigative activities, maintains comprehensive records, and coordinates legal and administrative actions with internal departments, state agencies, and external legal representatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage an ongoing child support caseload in strict compliance with federal regulations, state statutes, and performance goals.
• Utilize the statewide KIDS system and other government databases daily to maintain accurate case records, log historical actions, and track payments.
• Investigate and locate absent parents or alleged fathers using federal/state locate services, public records, and interface systems.
• Establish paternity, child support, and medical support orders through formal court actions or by drafting out-of-court stipulations with clients and legal counsel.
• Prepare and draft legal pleadings, motions, orders, UIFSA intergovernmental forms, and correspondence for review and approval by the Child Support Attorney, Family Court Commissioner, or Circuit Court Judges.
• Review and analyze complex financial documents, including tax returns, corporate ledgers, and payroll records, to calculate exact support obligations and determine arrearages.
• Initiate administrative and judicial enforcement remedies (such as license suspensions, tax intercepts, lien dockets, and contempt proceedings) when non-compliance occurs.
• Coordinate genetic testing processes, including scheduling, case preparation for incarcerated or out-of-state parties, and obtaining certification for in-office buccal swab collections.
• Testify at administrative or judicial hearings regarding case history, financial arrearages, and enforcement actions.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with case participants, employers, legal representatives, law enforcement, and state agencies (e.g., Department of Children and Families) while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Enforces medical support compliance by evaluating employer-sponsored health insurance affordability under Wisconsin administrative guidelines and processing National Medical Support Notices to establish, update, and maintain child healthcare coverage records.
• Executes agency cash-handling operations by receiving, posting, and remitting direct child support payments and fees in compliance with county financial policies and state accounting standards.
• Manages intergovernmental child support cases by initiating, processing, and enforcing cross-jurisdictional orders in collaboration with other states, tribes, and foreign countries in accordance with UIFSA and statutory intergovernmental standards.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent, plus an Associate degree in human services, legal studies, or a related field; or two years of professional experience in child support enforcement, legal/paralegal work, or human services; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prefer Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of, or ability to rapidly learn, the state-wide KIDS computer system and related county/state databases.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain complex federal regulations, state statutes, and court orders.
• Strong proficiency in analytical problem-solving, financial calculations, and data collection.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain professionalism when dealing with confrontational or sensitive client situations.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.

Technological Skills

Ability to be proficient in utilizing state databases and tracking software, including Kids Information Data System (KIDS), CARES, and CCAP, and familiar with business office software.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands: Regularly required to talk, listen, sit, stand, and walk. Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a professional office and courtroom setting. Frequent contact with individuals who may be distressed, confrontational, or uncooperative.

Equal Opportunity Employer