DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 - Lead Worker

State of Washington; Wenatchee (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid schedule

One in-office day per week

Job summary

State of Washington — Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 (Lead Worker) to guide a team across Everett, Mt. Vernon, and Smokey Point offices. You will mentor staff, handle complex cases, and ensure fair, accurate enforcement of child and medical support.

Strong leadership, knowledge of enforcement laws, and excellent communication are essential as you work in a flexible/hybrid schedule with in-office and telework days.

Qualifications

• Two years of college coursework and four years of related experience.
• Two years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.
• Ability to mentor and guide team members.
• Knowledge of state and federal child support laws.

Responsibilities

• Interview parents, employers and others to gather and verify financial and case information.
• Explain child support laws, policies and processes clearly.
• Establish, modify and enforce child and medical support orders.
• Calculate support amounts and past-due balances from detailed financial data.
• Take enforcement actions such as wage withholding, liens or asset seizure.
• Manage complex cases that may involve multiple states, tribes or countries.
• Resolve conflicts and help people work through disagreements about support and debt.
• Review legal and financial documents to make accurate decisions.
• Lead, coach and check the quality of team members’ work.
• Assign tasks and support team success as a lead worker.

Skills

Child support enforcement

Team leadership

Case research

Decision making

Education

Two years college coursework

Tools

Support Enforcement System

Job description

Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 - Lead Worker

The Division of Child Support is hiring for multiple Support Enforcement Officer 3s to serve as lead workers in their Everett, Mt. Vernon, and Smokey Point offices. As a Support Enforcement Officer 3, you'll step in when families need stability and fairness by ensuring children get the financial and medical support they are owed. You'll research cases, understand the details, and take action that can change how people are supported. You will work on complex cases, solve problems, and make informed decisions using your expertise and judgment.

As a lead worker, you will also guide and mentor others on your team, helping them learn and grow. Some days are fast and busy. Some conversations are tough. But every day, your work has purpose. You are the person who brings clarity, structure, and accountability when it matters most.

Please note:

These positions are currently approved to work a flexible/hybrid schedule based on business needs. The current expectation would be to work at least one day in-office per week and telework when a presence in-office is not required. As part of the application, you'll be asked which location you are interested in.

Some of what you will do:

• Interview parents, employers and others to gather and verify financial and case information.
• Explain child support laws, policies and processes in a way people can understand.
• Establish, modify and enforce child and medical support orders.
• Calculate support amounts and past-due balances using detailed financial information.
• Take enforcement actions such as wage withholding, liens or asset seizure when needed.
• Manage complex cases that may involve multiple states, tribes or countries.
• Resolve conflicts and help people work through disagreements about support and debt.
• Review legal and financial documents to make accurate and fair decisions.
• Train, coach and guide team members while checking the quality of their work.
• Act as a lead worker by assigning tasks, answering questions and supporting team success.
• Research and locate individuals and assets using a variety of tools and systems.
• Ensure all actions follow federal and state laws, timelines and audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate records while protecting confidential information.

Who should apply?

Two years of college level coursework*, AND Four years* of experience related to child support enforcement and/or debt collection, including two years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.

*Note: Equivalent education and/or experience may be substitute year for year.

Additional knowledge, skills and abilities we are looking for:

• Understanding of laws and regulations: Knowledge of State statutes and Federal regulations, court decisions, paternity proceedings, accounting and collection practices, legal rights, and remedies in support enforcement.
• Math skills: Calculates support amounts and debt balances quickly and accurately using detailed financial data.
• Team leadership: You’re confident mentoring others and helping them grow in their roles.
• Collection experience: You have experience with enforcement practices, interpreting financial records, and tracking payments.
• Time management: You juggle competing tasks and deadlines without letting the details slip.
• Investigative skills: You know how to gather information from various sources to make informed decisions.
• Adaptability: You stay steady and responsive in a fast-changing policy and workload environment.
• Technical skills: You are comfortable using case management systems like the Support Enforcement Management System.
• Independence: You work well on your own, make sound decisions, and stay focused on priorities.
• Conflict resolution skills: To calmly and respectfully de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
• Strong communication skills: Able to clearly explain complex legal and financial information to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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