Child Support Agent II

About the Department

An employee in this classification provides child support services to public assistance and non-public assistance clients in locating absent parents, establishing paternity, establishing support and medical orders, modifying orders, and reviewing and adjusting orders.  Work also includes notarizing documents, preparing cases for court, testifying in court, computing support based upon state income guidelines, and may involve interstate cases and orders.  Work in this class is distinguished from the Agent I by the in-depth investigation and preparation of cases for court, the enforcement of court support orders, and variables affecting a case and the independent role in presenting cases (with the attorney) in the courtroom.  Considerable public contact is involved in working with clients from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.  Work is circumscribed by a variety of federal, state, and county court decisions, laws, policies, regulations, and procedures.   Employees must maintain knowledge and remain up to date on rules and guidelines, and related information technology software utilized to investigate, access, and verify information, maintain case data, and court orders.  Child Support division work is subject to stringent state and federal establishment and collection goals.  Starting Pay is $47,352 for a fully qualified applicant.

Position Duties

Interviews Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid for Families (MAF) recipients and non-public assistance applicants, to explain the program and to obtain data regarding the non-custodial parent, locate the non-custodial parent and establish voluntary paternity and/or support obligations through the court system, and enforce orders.
Establishes paternity through parental voluntary acknowledgment or scheduling paternity testing.
Gathers information and evidence and enters case data in the appropriate county and state systems.
Monitors court-ordered payments, determines when to take action, and takes action when the non-custodial parent is in arrearages.
Creates, maintains, documents, and purges records and files; maintains confidentiality. 
Investigates and prepares cases (for the attorney) and determines the course of action.
Assists the attorney in the courtroom in presenting the case and reviewing evidence.
Negotiates an agreement with the non-custodial parent.  
Testifies in court as required.
Receives and responds to incoming calls for child support services regarding new or established cases. 
Verifies information regarding non-custodial parents through telephone calls and correspondence with local government representatives, employers, attorneys, neighbors and other similar contacts. 
Explains program requirements and options and advise or refer non-custodial parent or caretaker to other programs or services as appropriate. 
Informs non-custodial parent or caretaker of rights and obligations as prescribed by program policies. 
Collects fees, notarizes documents, and processes child support income withholdings.
Operates computer terminal entering and retrieving data from the appropriate state and county system.
Operates computer, scanner, calculator, and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining records.
Participates in ongoing training as required.
Ensures all federal, state, and local policies and procedures are followed.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of the child support enforcement program, procedures, and applicable legal procedures.     
Considerable knowledge of and ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply federal, state, and County program rules, regulations, and procedures. 
Knowledge of other states’ child support laws for interstate cases and where to access this information.
General knowledge of agency and community programs and services.  
Working knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment.  
Skill to use a variety of office machines, computers, applicable software and typing.  
Basic math skills.
Ability to interview clients, custodial and non-custodial parents and related sources, and to investigate cases.
Ability to organize, analyze, and summarize case information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, custodial and non-custodial parents, location resources, offices of the Clerk of Court, Magistrates, District Attorney, Sheriff, other court officials, and private attorneys.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
Ability to establish and follow detailed work procedures, prioritize work, and prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of varied social, economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
Ability to maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, even in difficult situations; and to attend work regularly. 
Ability to work effectively, tactfully, and courteously with the public and other governmental organizations.

Other Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and 6 months experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work; or
• Associate's degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement or closely related degree and 2 years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work; or
• High School diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work or
• an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A valid North Carolina Driver's license and reliable transportation.