Child Support Specialist

Newaygo County Careers; White Cloud (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Newaygo County Careers in Michigan seeks a Child Support Specialist for the 27th Circuit Court/Friend of the Court. The role investigates paternity and income support, collects information to locate absent parents, and reviews financial records to determine support obligations.

You'll work with the Trail Courts Director/FOC, prepare recommendations for the court, and schedule DNA testing and hearings. Strong computer skills and excellent customer service are essential.

Qualifications

• Must understand legal terminology and court processes.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong computer skills and data entry accuracy.
• Notary certification and DNA collection certification required or pursued.

Responsibilities

• Investigate Title IV-D cases to establish paternity and income support.
• Interview parents to determine financial status and custodial arrangements.
• Review tax forms and financial records to determine income levels.
• Explain terms of court orders to clients.
• Enter case data into the Michigan database.
• Schedule DNA testing, hearings, and trials; collect samples.
• Locate absent parents using various locator resources.
• Prepare facts and findings and present income/medical support recommendations.
• Support contracted attorney in case data preparation.
• Perform other duties as needed, including clerical tasks.

Skills

Legal terminology

Court procedures

Customer service

Data entry / computer skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree or coursework in word processing, legal secretarial areas, and/or criminal justice

Notary Certification

DNA collection certification

Job description

The 27th Circuit Court/Friend of the Court is seeking an individual with excellent communication and organizational skills to fill the Child Support Specialist position. The selected candidate will investigate cases to establish paternity and income support for minor children. As part of that, they will collect and evaluate information to locate absent parents and determine the financial status of parents. In conjunction with the Trail Courts Director/FOC, recommendations are prepared and presented to the court. Ideal candidates will be proficient with computers, comfortable working with numbers, and must have excellent customer service skills.

1. In conjunction with the Trial Court Director/FOC and contractual IV-D attorney, investigates Title IV-D cases to establish paternity and income support for minor children. Prepares and presents recommendations to the court.
2. Interviews parents to determine financial status by gathering information related to wages earned, insurance costs and any contributions made by the non-custodial parent. Obtains information related to overnight visits by each parent.
3. Reviews income and business tax forms, financial statements, payroll records, supplemental social security income, and other records to establish accurate income levels for custodial and/or non-custodial parent(s).
4. Responds to client requests for information and explains the terms and conditions of court orders.
5. Generates documentation by electronically entering paternity and non-support cases in the State of Michigan’s database.
6. Schedules DNA testing appointments, hearings and trials. Collects DNA samples from parties and submits them to laboratory for purposes of determining paternity status. Electronically retrieves results.
7. Locates absent parents through the development and use of a variety of resources such as the postal service, financial institutions, credit reporting agencies, state and federal parent locator services and military locator services.
8. Prepares reports of facts and findings and presents recommendations for income and medical support to the contracted attorney and Chief Circuit Court Referee.
9. Assists contractual attorney in preparing case data for prosecution and litigation.
10. Performs other duties as required, including but not limited to, performing duties of Court Recorder/Clerks and Client Services Assistants in their absence and case load permitting.

Education

High school graduation is required. Prefer Associates Degree or advanced coursework in word processing, legal secretarial areas, and/or criminal justice.

Experience

Two years of prior office experience, preferably in a legal setting providing knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures. Requires computer knowledge or experience.

• Must maintain a current Notary Certification
• Must obtain/maintain certification to perform collection of DNA samples for paternity testing
• Must possess good working knowledge of Social Security Act, Title IV-D; the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; and other federal statutes pertaining to child support enforcement and the rights of non-custodial parents
• Must possess working knowledge of blood borne pathogens protocols
• Must possess working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality

• Must submit cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references.

All offers of employment are contingent upon passing a background check and drug screening which includes marijuana.