Child Support Specialist, Senior

POSTING TYPE: Open
DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full-Time
HIRING RANGE: $62,963 - $78,704 annually (Salary grade 107)
SALARY RANGE: $62,963 - $98,380 annually
LOCATION: West St. Paul
UNION: AFSCME 306
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 2/12/2025

What You Will Do
Senior Child Support Specialists perform work related to determining paternity, determining and enforcing court-ordered child supports obligations, and locating non-custodial parents. This position ensures State and Federal laws related to paternity, child support establishment and enforcement are applied equally to participants. Also promotes fiscal support for children and family self-sufficiency.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Business Administration, or Finance AND
* One year experience as a financial worker, child support worker, collections worker, paralegal/legal assistant, or employment services worker AND
* This experience must have occurred within the past five years in Minnesota.
OR
* An Associate's degree in Human Services, Business Administration, Finance AND
* Three years experience as a financial worker, child support worker, collections worker, paralegal/legal assistant, or employment services worker AND
* Two years of experience must have occurred within the past five years in Minnesota.
OR
* High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) AND
* Five years experience as a financial worker, child support worker, collections worker, paralegal/legal assistant, or employment services worker AND
* Two years of experience must have occurred within the past five years in Minnesota.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Review financial statements and financial information to determine and establish child support obligations.
2. Monitor case files to ensure child support payments or court directives/obligations are being followed.
3. Conduct interviews, gather information, decide appropriate legal action or test to determine paternity of children to establish child support obligations or to proceed with other specialized legal actions.
4. Compile and review evidence prior to legal action.
5. Collaborate with other agencies to initiate legal actions.
6. Testify in court hearings or appeals to present evidence and facts.
7. Document case activities or related correspondence in case files.
8. Perform on-going case maintenance.
9. Maintain computer database of all information regarding assigned cases.
10. Represent Dakota County on Department of Human Services committees.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-8 are essential functions.

* Knowledge of various training techniques and styles.
* Knowledge of investigative interviewing and research techniques.
* Knowledge of community resources and other programs including employment resources.
* Knowledge of psychology, mental and physical illness, developmental disabilities, adult and child protection criteria.
* Knowledge of estate law, family law, and laws governing property.
* Must possess a high level of analytical skills.
* Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, department and County associates in a professional manner.
* Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions which have significant short and long-term impacts on the lives of individuals and families.
* Ability to advise people in crisis and make decisions leading to crisis resolution.
* Ability to assess a person's social, economic, emotional, and health needs and interpret social behavior.
* Ability to understand and operate several computer systems.
* Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
* Ability to work independently and as a team member.
* Ability to prioritize work according to program requirements, client, and organizational needs.

Work Environment
Work is primarily sedentary and requires no special physical demands. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to telephone, computer, printer, scanner, calculator, copy and fax machine.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks