Child Support Specialist

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $56,217 - $63,244 /year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $87,839/year (106 salary grade)
LOCATION: West St. Paul
UNION: AFSCME 306
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 3/28/2025

What You'll Do
The Child Support Specialist works with parents to ensure the financial stability of families receiving/paying court ordered child support. They provide services to families by enforcing court orders for basic support, medical support, and childcare support through a variety of case management tasks and tools, include monitoring cases for court order compliance, reconciling accounts, utilizing administrative and legal remedies to ensure payments, and working with parents when their financial circumstances change. The tasks performed are highly technical, involve substantial computer use and analysis of information, as well as a high volume of public contact. The Child Support Specialist works closely with the Dakota County Attorney's Office in initiating appropriate legal actions and preparing legal documents to support those actions.

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
OR
* Associate's degree AND two (2) years of experience working in a related field or office setting providing services to the public.
OR
* High School graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.) AND four (4) years' years of experience working in a related field or office setting providing services to the public.
AND
* Candidate must be proficient at keyboard skills including typing at least 35 WPM.

Preferred:

• Completed degree in human services, liberal arts, paralegal, legal secretary, accounting
• Direct work experience as a collections specialist, child support experience, financial assistance specialist II, case manager, or similar position.
• Direct work experience with accounting, accounts payable/receivable, or bookkeeping

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. Establish a case service plan for enforcement, analyze the provisions of court orders, and educate case participants about the court action.
2. Provide on-going case service, respond to customer service contacts through multiple mediums (including the telephone).
3. Monitor and coordinate cases to ensure compliance with court orders.
4. Coordinate second-level enforcement activity.
5. Participate in legal proceedings.
6. Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity County wide and actively supports the County's diversity initiatives, and works to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
7. Mentoring other agency staff on programs, work methods, and procedures.
8. Other duties, assignments and workgroups to maintain the functioning of the child support program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-6 are essential functions.

* Knowledge of investigative techniques.
* Knowledge of general accounting principles.
* Knowledge of legal terminology and rules of civil and administrative procedure.
* High level of analytical and problem solving skills with ability to interpret Federal regulations, State Statutes, and State child support policy and apply them to collection and enforcement of specific court orders.
* Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
* Ability to operate computerized collection/case management system.
* Ability to work independently.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities according to the needs of case participants and deal efficiently with public contact on a daily basis.
* Ability to work under stress due to the impact of agency actions on the lives of families and individuals.
* Ability to diffuse anger in tense to dangerous domestic disputes.
* Ability to maintain positive working relationships with diverse people.
* Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.

Work Environment
The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lit and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to laptop, printer, calculator, projector, telephone, copy and fax machine.

Location & Schedule

Staff in this classification will start by working full-time in the office for training purposes. Once there is demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability to complete assigned work, it may lead to a hybrid schedule. In-person work is at our Northern Service Center in West St. Paul, MN and telework needs to be completed in a designated off-site location. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

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
• Hybrid work environment is an option once through the training period

Selection Process

• 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