Child Support Specialist I

County of Alameda•Pleasanton, CA

16h

About The Position

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online. DESCRIPTION THE AGENCY Alameda County Department of Child Support Services (ACCSS) believes that all parents should be fully engaged in supporting the wellbeing of their children. To meet our Vision, ACCSS is committed to serving the children and families of Alameda County in ways that are innovative, responsive, efficient, compassionate and in tune with the rich diversity of our community. Our customers are mothers, fathers, caregivers, children, community partners and the residents of Alameda County. ACCSS’s core business is to provide assistance to families through establishment of parentage, the establishment of child support orders for monetary and medical support, and through the enforcement of child support orders. To carry out this Mission, our employees are dedicated and talented people who leverage their skills and passion for public service to meet customer needs. Through coordinated efforts and collaboration with community partners, ACCSS collects and distributes important child support, enhancing self-efficiency and the well-being of families throughout Alameda County. Alameda Child Support Services’ culture and business operations are shaped by the following key principles: Family Focused : Partner with families to eliminate barriers to providing reliable child support to their children. Dynamic Workforce : Attract, retain, and develop a highly skilled and engaged workforce. Operational Excellence : Focus on the highest level of performance and efficiency in our service delivery. Innovation : Meet the needs of families through creative solutions. Collaboration : Partner with the community to create an ecosystem of support services. For more information about Alameda County Child Support Services, click HERE . For more information about the State of CA Child Support, click HERE . THE POSITION Under close supervision at the lower level and general supervision at the higher level, Child Support Specialists perform a wide variety of child support duties; manage an assigned caseload; locate and interview parents and others to elicit factual information for the purpose of establishing child support obligations and enforcing child support laws; negotiate, collect and arrange for support payments of court ordered child support, prepare cases for court hearings, attend hearings as necessary; and perform related work as required. For more detailed information about the job classification, please visit: Child Support Specialist I (#1401)

Requirements

Graduation from high school or possession of a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or possession of a G.E.D. certificate.
The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Child Support Assistant II, or in an equivalent or higher level class in the Alameda County classified service.
The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Customer Service Representative, or in an equivalent or higher level class in the Alameda County classified service.
The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in a public contact position with responsibility for performing any combination of the following as the primary element of work performed: interviewing applicants or case participants, exchanging detailed verbal information with customers, communicating with employers/customers to elicit information, and interpreting and applying policies, laws or regulations.
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, public administration, liberal arts, or closely related field.
Must possess a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
A thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted of all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure suitability for Child Support related work.
A felony conviction may be disqualifying.
General case management principles, child support establishment, enforcement and collection methods and techniques.
Federal, State and local laws pertaining to the establishment, collection and enforcement of child support.
Sources and methods to effectively locate absent participants and related financial information.
Interviewing principles and research techniques.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Basic arithmetic to perform calculations and understand financial records.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Modern office methods, procedures, tools and equipment.
Proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Terminology and processes related to child support laws and regulations.
Legal forms and documents used to enforce support orders.
Child support case management computer systems, or similar programs and applications.
Learn and utilize a variety of collection methods, techniques and procedures in child support collection work.
Research and extract personal and financial information from a variety of sources.
Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Interview participants in person and over the telephone to obtain specific information.
Organize assigned work effectively and manage multiple priorities.
Adapt to changes in policies and regulations which require learning and applying new information.
Use sound judgement to analyze factual information in order to solve problems, accomplish tasks, and make recommendations within guidelines
Maintain systematic, detailed and accurate case files/records and notes of activities.
Deal tactfully and courteously with people from diverse backgrounds; establish and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers.
Read, understand, apply and explain Federal and State laws and county policies relative to the collection and enforcement of child support.
Maintain integrity and confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
Draft and compose standard business correspondence using proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Comply with Federal, State and court mandates.
Work independently with initiative and sound judgement in absence of direct supervision.

Responsibilities

Child Support Specialists perform a wide variety of child support duties
manage an assigned caseload
locate and interview parents and others to elicit factual information for the purpose of establishing child support obligations and enforcing child support laws
negotiate, collect and arrange for support payments of court ordered child support
prepare cases for court hearings
attend hearings as necessary
perform related work as required

Benefits

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1 st United Services Credit Union