Child Support Specialist II - III

Child Support Specialist II: This position is responsible for supporting technical, legal and customer support duties related to the establishment, modification, and enforcement of court orders within the Child Support Unit. This role takes on more responsibilities (than an entry level case manager), often managing a larger caseload and independently handling the majority of their caseload that requires deeper knowledge of child support processes.  Work may involve interagency collaboration and complex legal issues.   The role also serves in a mentoring role or support for entry-level staff due to a thorough understanding of relevant laws, processes, and computer systems, allowing them to make decisions independently within established guidelines.

Child Support Specialist III: This position is responsible for overseeing and managing complex child support cases while being able to share their knowledge and support to other team members.  This role is essential in promoting child and family well-being by ensuring compliance with court ordered financial and medical support, and it includes case management, bookkeeping, interstate collaboration, and liaison responsibilities.  The ideal candidate will have experience in managing child support caseloads, be able to guide less-experienced staff, uphold legal standards, and deliver high-level customer service. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  (Duties listed are meant to be examples and are not necessarily comprehensive)

Work independently to manage and process a full caseload in one or more of the following areas:

Intake:  

• Reviews child support applications and public assistance referrals to gather essential information for new cases.
• Track and finalize applications within mandated timeframes, creating and maintaining case files.
• Conduct research on existing court and child support cases, update case files and, communicate with clients on service options and the application process.

Establishment:

• Use APA certification to support paternity and child support establishment through the Administrative Process (APA) or court hearings as appropriate.
• Conduct conferences with parties, prepare files for hearings, and support the County Attorney in court.
• Collaborate with other state agencies (countries), to establish cases across state (international) lines and monitor for established orders.

Modification:

• Review and assess requests for child support modifications based on case need.
• Collect relevant financial information and hold negotiation conferences leading to stipulated orders.
• Prepare legal documents for attorney review, schedule hearings, and monitor case outcomes, ensuring updates in case databases.

Enforcement:

• Through Enforcement Certification, effectively communicate case status, initiate enforcement actions, and manage program processes.
• Research client information through various databases, prepare legal forms, and monitor automated enforcement actions.
• Coordinate with other states’ (counties’) child support agencies as needed for enforcement actions.

Bookkeeper:

• Responsible for independently initiating, managing and reconciling child support payment ledgers.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate with obliges, obligors, attorneys and the courts to clarify payments, disbursements and arrears.
• Experience with financial management with human services providing the ability to handle high volumes of financial data accurately.
• A seasoned expert responsible for handling complex child support fiscal operations, including managing high-volume ledgers and performing sophisticated adjustments. (Child Support Specialist III)
• Provides expertise and mentorship to less-experienced staff, representing the fiscal aspect for child support in administrative and judicial hearings. (Child Support Specialist III)
• Oversee the management of automated and manual child support ledgers, ensuring the accurate tracking of simple to complex transactions. (Child Support Specialist III)

Legal:

• Independently responsible for managing routine to complicated legal case tasks.
• Assisting attorneys with documentation preparation, filings, and deadline tracking.
• Highly skilled for complex case management and strong task management skills.
• Attends court hearings as required and updating case records based on outcomes.
• Advanced legal and administrative support to ensure effective case management within child support services. (Child Support Specialist III)
• Independently handle complex task management and attorney docket needs ensuring all timeframes are met. (Child Support Specialist III)
• Attend and oversee court hearings, capturing case updates accordingly and overseeing attorney task assignments. (Child Support Specialist III)

Other Duties:

• Complete training and attend meetings or professional events as assigned.
• Support team members during absences or vacancies by covering additional caseloads.
• Cross-train in other functions as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Key Responsibilities:

Caseload Management:

• Independently manage a full caseload, including complex cases that may involve multi-state enforcement or significant financial modifications. 

Advanced Client Interaction:

• Counsel clients on intricate aspects of their cases, explain complex legal processes, and address escalated client concerns.

Document Preparation and Case Processing:

• Prepare legal documents, initiate cross-state actions, and ensure cases meet state and federal compliance standards.

Interagency Collaboration:

• Work with County Attorneys, other state agencies, and outside resources to resolve case issues, establish or enforce orders, and negotiate modifications.

Supervision Level:

• Work under general supervision with increased independence. Performance is reviewed periodically based on outcomes and case accuracy.

Decision-Making:

• Greater autonomy to make independent decisions on cases within established rules. Uses discretion in applying guidelines and makes recommendations for cases needing further action.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of cases, maintaining an 85% accuracy standard to support career advancement.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• This classification is a part of a career progression pathway series.

Key Responsibilities: (Child Support Specialist III)

Support Team Operations:

• Provide guidance and support to child support staff on challenging cases, complex scenarios, and procedural issues.
• Act as a resource for less-experienced staff, sharing expertise and best practices to foster a collaborative and effective work environment.

Case Management:

• Independently manage a caseload of child support cases, including intake, paternity and support order establishment, modifications, enforcement, and collections.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of case documentation, maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal laws and department procedures.

Interagency and Interstate Coordination:

• Collaborate with other agencies, states, and international jurisdictions to establish and enforce child support orders across borders.
• Serve as a liaison among child support staff, external agencies, attorneys, and the courts to streamline communication and ensure timely processing of cases.

Customer Service and Dispute Resolution:

• Deliver exceptional customer service to clients, attorneys, and other stakeholders by addressing inquiries promptly, providing case information, and resolving conflicts as needed.
• Facilitate communication and uphold service standards to meet client and departmental needs.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with legal and financial teams as needed and be prepared to provide testimony in court on financial matters.
• May perform bookkeeping tasks related to child support cases, including calculating arrears, processing payments, initiating ledgers, and adjusting.

Performance Standards:

• Maintaining departmental accuracy and timeliness standards of at least 95% in all program areas to support advancement in the classification series.

Professional Development:

• Attend required training sessions and stay informed about changes to child support regulations and best practices.
• Participate in relevant conferences and departmental meetings to enhance expertise and share knowledge with the team.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  

Child Support Specialist II: 

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Associates degree or higher preferred.   
• One (1) year of experience in the child support field or related equivalent (human services or paralegal)  experience required.
• Two (2) years full time public contact experience, eligibility determinations or legal secretarial experience preferred.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Child Support Specialist III: 

• High School Diploma or GED required. Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current APA and/or Enforcement Certification from the State of Colorado required (must obtain both within one year if not already certified). 
• Two Years full time public contact experience.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the child support field.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: 

• Notary Commission a plus.  Individuals hired are expected to obtain a Notary Public Commission within three months of employment.
• This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check including fingerprinting through a national database

Child Support Specialist II:

• Current APA Certification a plus. Individuals hired to fulfill Establishment or Modification duties must be able to obtain their APA certification within one (1) year of hire. 
• Existing Enforcement Certification a plus.  Individuals hired to perform enforcement duties must be able to obtain their Enforcement certification within one (1) year of hire. 
• Individuals hired in a role other than establishment, modification or enforcement may select the Certification to complete within one year of hire.

Child Support Specialist III: 

• Existing APA and/or Enforcement Certification is required.  Within first year of employment both APA and Enforcement certifications must be obtained and maintained.  
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License within 90 days of hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment. 

Salary : $49,916 - $74,874