Child Support Agent II

Position Description

Catawba County Social Services is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Child Support Agent II to join our Child Support Services team. In this role, you will work to ensure children receive the financial and medical support to which they are legally entitled by establishing parentage, securing and enforcing support orders, and monitoring compliance with court directives.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate professionalism, integrity, sound decision-making, and the ability to manage high-accountability work in a fast-paced, legally driven environment. If you are passionate about advocating for children’s financial stability and ensuring compliance with state and federal child support laws, we encourage you to apply.

Trainees who do not have the required experience may be considered. Trainee salary is $39,069.65.

Responsibilities

• Establish, enforce, and modify child and medical support orders in accordance with Federal Regulations, NC General Statutes, and NC Child Support Guidelines
• Prepare cases for court, including compiling evidence, calculating support obligations, drafting motions, and preparing recommended court orders
• Present testimony in District Court and negotiate case resolutions with custodial and non-custodial parents and attorneys
• Monitor compliance through enforcement remedies such as income withholding, tax intercepts, license revocations, liens, and credit reporting

• Conduct locate investigations using federal, state, and local systems and coordinate with employers, correctional facilities, and other agencies
• Maintain accurate financial records, calculate arrears, reconcile accounts, and ensure proper payment processing
• Manage interstate/UIFSA cases and maintain thorough, timely case documentation
• Work independently in case management and office responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 months of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work; OR
• Associate’s degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement, or closely related field and 2 years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work; OR
• High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work

Additional Requirements

• A valid driver’s license with a safe driving record (Driving is an occasional function of this position)
• Thorough knowledge of Child Support Enforcement Program policies and applicable legal procedures
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation skills
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and exercise sound judgment
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills for financial calculations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• This position is considered light work; lifting up to 20 pounds.

• Experience working within the court system
• Background in legal, judicial, or investigative work
• Experience with interstate/UIFSA child support cases
• Applicants with bilingual ability (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply. Bilingual extra duty pay is provided.

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee’s children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

• Annual Leave:Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave:Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee’s annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).