Case Worker - Child Support

JOB OVERVIEW

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

 

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT PAID/INTERNAL SARPY COUNTY EMPLOYEES

As an employee of Sarpy County, you receive regular pay for the services you provide at a rate of $23.34 per hour. In addition to your hourly wage, Sarpy County provides benefits, such as insurance and retirement, which are valued at up to $28,435.42  per year. 

 

GENERAL PURPOSE   
Under the general direction of the Division Lead Attorney, Administrative Operations Manager, assigned Deputy County Attorney, or designee, performs a variety of case management skills to establish and enforce child support orders.  The relevant responsibilities include gathering and analyzing of information to determine when referral for legal filing or other action is appropriate and consistent with federal, state, and local child support policies, procedures, and guidelines.  This work requires a considerable amount of independent judgment and confers significant responsibility. 
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference checks, successful completion of a national criminal background check, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, and other job related tests or checks as may be required.

DISCLAIMER
The job description is current as of the date signed.  Any omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

 

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Prepare, establish, enforce, and monitor assigned child support cases referred to the department in a timely and accurate manner.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the general public.
Gather and review data required to prepare a variety of legal documents according to state and federal requirements.
Interview clients to gather information and evidence to establish paternity and support as well as obtain and enforce court ordered child and medical support. 
Coordinate child support enforcement related activities of agencies in order to achieve effective enforcement and establishment of support orders.
Research and verify information about non-custodial parents in order to proceed with locating parents for purposes of genetic testing, establishment of paternity, establishment of support, and collecting payments through a variety of means (e.g., tax intercept, garnishments, etc.). 
Initiate and monitor administrative enforcement tools, to include driver’s license suspension, income withholding of wages, FIDM, passport suspension, tax return intercept, credit bureau reporting, and administrative attachment of bank accounts.  
File documents with any outside agencies and/or jurisdictions in order to facilitate the establishment or enforcement process. 
Negotiate repayment contracts and explain sanctions to non-custodial parents. 
Coordinate all factors of case activity ensuring that all necessary steps have been taken. 
Draft, under the direction of an attorney, various documents (e.g., petitions to establish paternity, garnishments, etc.) to enforce support obligations from non-custodial parents. 
Analyze case data to make determinations on appropriate legal action to be levied, including referring case to the assigned attorney for filing.
Perform state parent locating services through the use of CHARTS and other databases and make referrals to the Federal Parent Locate Service (FPLS).
Schedule paternity tests and set hearing and trial dates, including filing appropriate documentation with the court and disbursing notices to parties.  
Enter court hearing information into common use electronic calendar.
Prepare files for court hearings, monitor issuance of orders, and distribute orders, once entered, to parties in cases. 
Prepare and maintain all documents and statistical reports as directed.
Type letters, correspondence, and draft income withholding notices as directed.
Monitor, review, and notate actions taken on no-collection or no-establishment work lists on a weekly basis.
Maintain written log of case contacts and events in automated system, CHARTS.
Report to work with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.

Peripheral Duties
Serve as a member of various committees as assigned. 
Perform other duties as directed and assigned.
 

 

 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, paralegal studies, criminal justice or public administration required.* 
Four (4) years of legal office setting, paralegal or collections experience required. * 
*Approved education or work experience beyond that required which provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered and substituted for the stated education or experience.

Special Requirements 
Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Driver’s License, as well as meet eligibility requirements of “acceptable driver standards” as defined by the County.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and County policies, rules and regulations
Considerable knowledge and ability to use computers and Microsoft Office software
Knowledge of and ability to use internal statewide systems, including CHARTS, NFOCUS, and JUSTICE.
Working knowledge of office practices, procedures, and file maintenance
Ability to effectively interact with the public
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information found in of all departmental documentation
Ability to work under pressure and/or frequent interruptions
Ability to navigate stressful situations while maintaining composure
Ability to understand and follow exacting verbal and written instructions
Ability to prioritize work and carry out assigned projects to completion
Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing
Ability to operate equipment including, but not limited to, multiline phone, computer, and multifunction printer
 

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

While performing this job, the employee is frequently required to sit/remain stationary, talk/hear, and operate/manipulate equipment using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand/be erect, walk/move about, bend reach, kneel, and climb stairs.  The employee must occasionally lift, maneuver, and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Required sensory abilities include vision and hearing.  Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges include close, distance, and color vision as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Communication abilities include the ability to talk (verbal exchange) and hear within normal ranges.

Work is performed indoors in an office setting.  Work hours may include evenings, weekends, call-ins, and holidays.  Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and time constraints.  The noise level is typically moderate.