Child Support Specialist at Polk County (WI) – Balsam Lake, Wisconsin

The Child Support Specialist is an advanced, specialized, technical and legal position, which requires independent judgment, initiative and discretion in managing an assigned caseload. The Child Support Specialist independently gathers, examines and evaluates information for the establishment, modification and enforcement of child support orders, in accordance with the Child Support Enforcement Program Rules and Regulations under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Applies defined County, State and Federal laws, policies and procedures in the provision of paternity services and child support order establishment, modification and enforcement.

This position has significant contact with case participants, judges, attorneys and other agencies. This position requires excellent ability to communicate while providing sworn testimony in court hearings. The duties below represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.

1. Provision of superior customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
2. Collection, tracking, and monitoring of child support payments in compliance with child support orders (including past-due and arrears collections)
3. Investigation of child support related case matters including: locating absent parents, determining income or income potential for case participants, establishing paternity, etc.)
4. Administrative duties including filing, data entry, scheduling, etc.
5. Serves as mediator between parents in negotiating child support payment agreements.
6. Regularly prepares and files legal documents which include, but are not limited to, summons, petitions, affidavits, remedial contempt papers, motions – under the supervision of an attorney.
7. Provides ongoing case management; monitors a significant volume of cases to determine needs for modification or other action relative to child support orders.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

1. Must have an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies, legal secretarial science, criminal justice or closely related legal field OR a four-year college degree; and
2. One-year related work experience using the KIDS system in the previous three years OR five years experience as a legal secretary or paralegal working in a law firm using a computer based legal system; or a
3. Combination of work experience and education may be considered.

Competency Requirements:

• Quality Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, residents, families, and other internal and external clientele). Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement. Communicates/Interacts with members of the public and other key stakeholders in a way that elicits positive response and participation, which on occasion, may include interaction either one-on-one or with several stakeholders at one time to present information and/or represent the facility’s interests.
• Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct, maintains confidentially, and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; setting high standards of performance for self and others
• Written and Verbal Communication Skills - Recognizes or uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Interpersonal Relations - Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
• Leveraging Technology - Demonstrates proficiency in using on-line tools and business applications, creating and maintaining accurate data and communications, including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and specialized web-based and/or related departmental systems
• Data Gathering and Analysis- Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal or judgment
• Attention to Detail - Ensures information is complete and accurate; follows up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
• Self-Management - Organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a way that maximizes efficient performance; establishes and adjusts priorities to ensure timely completion of assigned work/fulfill responsibilities.
• Adaptability –Address issues as they arise without losing focuses on other tasks.

Minimum Skills Assessment Requirements: Skills and abilities may be evaluated through various standardized pre-employment assessment tools.

Work Environment

Work is sedentary in nature performed within the Justice Center or satellite offices/other campus locations. Lifting requirement is 15 - 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Wrist and finger manipulation due to filing, compiling, calculating, or computer work. Equipment used may include but is not limited to: computer systems and related technologies, scanner, printer, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.