Child Support Specialist I-II-III

County of San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Luis Obispo seeks a Child Support Specialist to manage caseloads and assist attorneys in locating non-custodial parents, establishing and enforcing support orders, and resolving paternity issues. The role involves handling court filings, client interviews, and data entry across state and federal systems.

The position supports compliance with Family Code guidelines and requires strong organizational and communication skills. Bilingual candidates are preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Experience with child support procedures and legal actions.
• Ability to interview case participants and locate individuals.
• Familiarity with computer systems for case management and audits.

Responsibilities

• Manages a general child support caseload in accordance with state and federal criteria.
• Reviews caseload to determine appropriate action.
• Generates legal documents and initiates proceedings per state/federal mandates.
• Interviews case participants, locates non-custodial parents, and obtains documentary evidence.
• Explains child support procedures to participants and agencies.
• Calendars court matters and prepares subpoenas for witnesses and evidence.
• Coordinates genetic testing to resolve paternity.
• Appear in court to testify in civil and criminal cases.
• Maintains case management and payment records in computer systems; supports audits.
• Applies Uniform State Child Support Guidelines to calculate support.
• Interprets laws as instructed by the Child Support Attorney.
• Identifies and refers participants to county/community services.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills

Bilingual

Interview skills

Case management

Legal procedures

Education

Two years education in Public/Business Administration or Social Science

Job description

The Department of Child Support Services is excited to announce an opportunity for a Child Support Specialist to join our team!

Classes in this series work for the County's Department of Child Support Services to determine and initiate legal action to locate non-custodial parents and custodial parties, establish and enforce child and medical support orders, and resolve questions of paternity based on legal requirements and state and federal mandates. Works under the direction of the Child Support Attorney to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

• Manages a general child support caseload in accordance with state and federal compliance criteria and department policy and performance measures.
• Reviews child support caseload to determine appropriate course of action.
• Generates appropriate legal documents and initiates legal proceedings in compliance with state and federal mandates related to child, spousal and medical support.
• Assists local Child Support Agency attorneys by interviewing case participants, locating non-custodial parents and custodial parties, and obtaining documentary evidence. Applies appropriate action in compliance with federal laws, California laws, and the laws of other states and nations.
• Explains child support procedures to case participants and other agencies.
• Calendars matters for court and prepares subpoenas for witnesses and documentary evidence.
• Coordinates genetic testing to resolve questions of paternity.
• Appears in court to testify in civil and criminal cases.
• Accesses computer-based information systems daily to monitor and maintain case management and payment records; inputs and/or updates data to maintain current records and ensures appropriate record keeping for audits.
• Applies legal actions as directed by the court, to establish and enforce child and medical support, uses the Disso-Master computer program and applies the Uniform State Child Support Guidelines pursuant to Family Code 4055 to calculate child support.
• Accesses and utilizes information from the Department of Social Services and a variety of computer-based systems for information; analyzes government records and reports; exchanges information with courts and/or agencies in other jurisdictions as required and allowed by state and federal mandates.
• Identifies and refers participants to available county and community services.
• Appropriately applies interpretation of law to all child support cases as instructed by the Child Support Attorney
• Performs related duties as required.

Bilingual preferred but not mandatory.

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Child Support Specialist I

• Two years education in an accredited college or university with a major in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Science or a closely related field.

Child Support Specialist II

• Either A: Two years of experience as a Child Support Specialist I or an equivalent position;
• Or B: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Science or a closely related field, and one year of experience involving interviewing or counseling.

Child Support Specialist III

• Two years of experience as a Child Support Specialist II or an equivalent position.

Licenses and Certificates

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid California driver license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.