What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Support Financial Specialist position at County of Ventura?
Description
THE PROGRAM
Our agency's mission is to "Transform Lives Through the True Power of Child Support." The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services Program (VCDCSS) was established in 1975 to provide children with the financial, medical, and emotional support they need to help ensure a bright future. Child support payments help provide children with food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. By providing the means for many families to meet their most basic financial needs, the program is a critical part of efforts to fight poverty in California. In addition, public assistance recipients are required to open a child support case, with collections being used to recoup the government's cost of providing that assistance. California's program is administered by 49 local child support agencies (called LCSAs) and operates under the oversight of the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). DCSS is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce in all departments.
THE POSITION
Under direct supervision, performs analyses of child support received from parents paying support based on Federal and State laws and regulations. The Child Support Financial Specialist conducts detailed reviews and audits the allocation, distribution and disbursement of payments to determine if court orders have been properly executed and enforced. Child Support Financial Specialists analyze child support payments for proper allocation, distribution and disbursement based upon Federal and State rules and regulations, court orders, case status etc., and adjust collections and payments as needed.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Each successive level in the Child Support Financial Specialist series is distinguished by the specific assignments and level of independence. Incumbents in the I and II levels are primarily involved in manual distribution, opening and closing accounts. Incumbents at the III and IV levels are assigned the tasks of complex account management and payment distribution and leadership roles. The level of the position within the series is commensurate with the complexity of the tasks assigned within the discipline. In addition, security access to all automated systems increases with each position level.
PAYROLL TITLE - Child Support Distribution Specialist III
Approximate Salary
Child Support Distribution Specialist III - $25.99 – $36.41 hourly
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE
Some positions may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.
Bilingual Incentive
Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification skills.
Telecommuting Option
Some positions may allow for telecommuting following successful demonstration of competency in the position.
DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Department of Child Support Services
Child Support Distribution Specialist III is represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 and are eligible for overtime compensation.
Tentative Schedule
OPENING DATE: May 27, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: June 26, 2026
TESTING AND EVALUATION/ORAL EXAM: Week of July 13, 2026
SELECTION INTERVIEWS: Week of August 3, 2026
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
Education/Experience
Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities can also be obtained by:
One year of experience as a Child Support Distribution Specialist II OR three (3) years of comparable experience.
Education/Experience Substitution
College coursework with an emphasis in mathematics, economics, business, finance, or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year for year basis with thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal to one (1) year.
Desirable Experience
Thorough working knowledge of: the state and federal regulations regarding child support collections and distributions; child support case management; Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA) regulations, aid history and status; staff training and mentoring; Child Support Enforcement (CSE) systems including child support legacy systems such as KIDZ and CASES, and HSA related systems Cal SAWS; statistical data collection, reporting and analyses; automated system data entry; fundamental math calculations; development and application of computer generated reports.
Thorough working ability to: follow detailed instructions; analyze system data; identify case account discrepancies; prepare routine narrative and statistical reports; communicate effectively orally and in writing; interpret and comprehend legal documents; establish and maintain cooperative communication with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and levels; create and understand computer generated reports; interpret legal documents and court orders; provide testimony in court and at state hearings; evaluate and trouble shoot automated system issues and interfaces; effectively communicate with and respond to the public, and other county or state agencies.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader! (Download PDF reader for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded by or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: An on-line, un-proctored, job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of 70% will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough post offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.
For further information regarding this recruitment, please, contact Brandon Myers by email at brandon.myers@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 437-8129.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
THE PROGRAM
Our agency's mission is to "Transform Lives Through the True Power of Child Support." The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services Program (VCDCSS) was established in 1975 to provide children with the financial, medical, and emotional support they need to help ensure a bright future. Child support payments help provide children with food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. By providing the means for many families to meet their most basic financial needs, the program is a critical part of efforts to fight poverty in California. In addition, public assistance recipients are required to open a child support case, with collections being used to recoup the government's cost of providing that assistance. California's program is administered by 49 local child support agencies (called LCSAs) and operates under the oversight of the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). DCSS is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce in all departments.
THE POSITION
Under direct supervision, performs analyses of child support received from parents paying support based on Federal and State laws and regulations. The Child Support Financial Specialist conducts detailed reviews and audits the allocation, distribution and disbursement of payments to determine if court orders have been properly executed and enforced. Child Support Financial Specialists analyze child support payments for proper allocation, distribution and disbursement based upon Federal and State rules and regulations, court orders, case status etc., and adjust collections and payments as needed.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Each successive level in the Child Support Financial Specialist series is distinguished by the specific assignments and level of independence. Incumbents in the I and II levels are primarily involved in manual distribution, opening and closing accounts. Incumbents at the III and IV levels are assigned the tasks of complex account management and payment distribution and leadership roles. The level of the position within the series is commensurate with the complexity of the tasks assigned within the discipline. In addition, security access to all automated systems increases with each position level.
PAYROLL TITLE - Child Support Distribution Specialist III
Approximate Salary
Child Support Distribution Specialist III - $25.99 – $36.41 hourly
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE
Some positions may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.
Bilingual Incentive
Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification skills.
Telecommuting Option
Some positions may allow for telecommuting following successful demonstration of competency in the position.
DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Department of Child Support Services
Child Support Distribution Specialist III is represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 and are eligible for overtime compensation.
Tentative Schedule
OPENING DATE: May 27, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: June 26, 2026
TESTING AND EVALUATION/ORAL EXAM: Week of July 13, 2026
SELECTION INTERVIEWS: Week of August 3, 2026
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Process complex financial tasks within CSE including modifications, registrations, consolidations, interstate case transfers, and updates to payees;
- Respond to inquiries and requests regarding financial processes from internal and external customers;
- Conduct comprehensive audits of accounts using State Audit Tool (SAT) and Legacy Data Archive (LDA) at the request of various governmental agencies, local and state;
- Research claims of forged endorsements and prepare affidavits of forgery;
- Cancel checks released in error;
- Reviews the collection of excess monies and determines if disbursements should be made to parents receiving support (PRS), parents paying support (PPS) or other interested parties;
- Reviews and interprets legal documents such as court orders, reports, and correspondence based on Federal and State child support laws and regulations relating to child support accounts;
- Research and process affidavits and stop payments utilizing various statewide programs;
- Review unidentified payments and determine the proper account for posting;
- Interprets Federal and State child support rules and regulations including assignment of support rights, allocation of payments in multiple cases, distribution and disbursement of monies collected based on Federal and State regulations, including hierarchy of payment priorities for obligations;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
Education/Experience
Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities can also be obtained by:
One year of experience as a Child Support Distribution Specialist II OR three (3) years of comparable experience.
Education/Experience Substitution
College coursework with an emphasis in mathematics, economics, business, finance, or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year for year basis with thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal to one (1) year.
Desirable Experience
- Recent experience in the areas of finance, statistics, or accounting.
- Performing complex mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
Thorough working knowledge of: the state and federal regulations regarding child support collections and distributions; child support case management; Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA) regulations, aid history and status; staff training and mentoring; Child Support Enforcement (CSE) systems including child support legacy systems such as KIDZ and CASES, and HSA related systems Cal SAWS; statistical data collection, reporting and analyses; automated system data entry; fundamental math calculations; development and application of computer generated reports.
Thorough working ability to: follow detailed instructions; analyze system data; identify case account discrepancies; prepare routine narrative and statistical reports; communicate effectively orally and in writing; interpret and comprehend legal documents; establish and maintain cooperative communication with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and levels; create and understand computer generated reports; interpret legal documents and court orders; provide testimony in court and at state hearings; evaluate and trouble shoot automated system issues and interfaces; effectively communicate with and respond to the public, and other county or state agencies.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader! (Download PDF reader for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded by or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: An on-line, un-proctored, job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of 70% will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough post offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.
For further information regarding this recruitment, please, contact Brandon Myers by email at brandon.myers@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 437-8129.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
Salary : $26 - $36