CHILD SUPPORT SPECIALIST SENIOR - UNIT LEAD

AZ State Jobs; Arizona; Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Health insurance

ASRS retirement

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Stipend opportunities

Transit subsidy

Job summary

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is hiring a Senior Child Support Specialist and Unit Lead. This role leads a team applying Child Support Program rules, with potential remote work within Arizona based on performance and business needs.

The position involves training, complex case troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance while maintaining high data quality in case management systems. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of leadership principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Child Support case management and privacy policies.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to present to individuals and groups.
• Team-building tools and techniques.
• Experience maintaining and organizing a caseload; data entry and case management system usage.
• Experience collecting or recovering expenses, repayment, fees or obligations.

Responsibilities

• Provide training and coaching to Child Support Specialists.
• Troubleshoot difficult and complex cases.
• Carry a small caseload.
• Under limited supervision, oversee and assign work to a team.
• Assist with annual compliance reviews.
• Provide outreach, training and technical assistance as needed.
• Participates and performs related work as required.

Skills

Leadership

Child Support case management

Communication

Team building

Caseload management

Data analysis

Interviewing techniques

Expense recovery

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.
DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.
DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

CHILD SUPPORT SPECIALIST SENIOR - UNIT LEAD

Job Location

Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) Location is Based on Closest Client-Facing Office to Successful Candidate's Arizona Residence

Salary

$41,000.00 - $46,778.16

Grade

19

Closing Date

September 30, 2026

Job Summary

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team! The DES, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Child Support Specialist Senior. This position is responsible for functioning as unit lead for a group of employees in the application of Child Support Program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide training and coaching to Child Support Specialists.
• Troubleshoot difficult and complex cases.
• Carry a small caseload.
• Under limited supervision, may oversee and provide team assignments.
• Assist with annual compliance reviews.
• Provide outreach, training and technical assistance as needed.
• Participates and performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge in:

• Strong understanding of leadership principles and practices.
• Child Support case management.
• Office practices, rules and policies governing confidential information and privacy.

Skills in:

• Excellent communication (both oral and written); presenting information in both 1:1 and group settings.
• Team building tools and techniques.
• Experience maintaining and organizing a caseload.
• Proficient in analyzing data and accurately updating automated information and case management systems.
• Interviewing techniques to obtain information.
• Experience collecting or recovering expenses, repayment, fees or obligations.

Ability to:

• Determine the appropriate Child Support Program actions needed; improve performance.
• Multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced, performance driven environment.
• Meet performance measures and data reliability goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members and leadership while maintaining a high level of diplomacy, confidentiality, neutrality, and professionalism.

Selective Preference(s)

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a child support role.
• Skills in leadership; case management; investigative research and analytical ability; court order interpretation.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Driver’s License Requirements.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments. On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Dolores Williams at [phone] or [e-mail].

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.