Child Support Agent

About the role

This position is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of child support orders and has control and responsibility for the financial management and accounting of these support orders. Duties include interviewing clients, absent parents, and related sources, organizing and summarizing case information, and investigating cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide child support services to TANF and non-TANF clients.
• Collect and assess information to ensure ACTS opens cases at the appropriate service level.
• Advise clients on the importance of legally establishing paternity for children born out of wedlock.
• Interview and advise the non-custodial parent regarding their responsibility for dependent children.
• Verify the location of the non-custodial parent, verifying all information for correctness then analyzing the information and determining which steps to follow going forward.
• Explain to the absent parent the laws and procedures regarding paternity and child support, medical insurance for dependent children, and the various remedies available through voluntary agreements and court actions.
• Assess the case and make appropriate referrals to State and Federal locate resources.
• Review the case to see if paternity is at issue in the case. If determined, appropriate means should be used to establish paternity.
• Interview client and non-custodial parent to determine income, expenses, medical insurance availability and responsibility for other children, verifying all information prior to completing the North Carolina child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
• Utilize the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines to determine the support amount, prepare legal documents, provide in-depth case investigation including documentation of past paid public assistance, employment verification, calculation of support guideline worksheet, determination of prior maintenance and availability of medical insurance.
• If the non-custodial parent agrees to the support amount, the agent will proceed with the completion of the Voluntary Support Agreement. If the non-custodial parent fails to keep appointment or agree to any terms of the voluntary process for child support, then the agency must proceed with court action. This role will assist the attorney with case preparation and testify in any court hearing.
• Implement wage withholding and medical coverage through the non-custodial parent’s employer.
• Maintain a professional relationship with local resources, Sheriff’s department, etc.
• Review cases as needed to determine any potential need for changes in court order or other provisions.
• Review incoming out-of-state cases and determine if it is correctly established in ACTS, reviewing all petitions and legal documents to be sure they are correct.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school and three years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.
• An associate degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement or closely related degree and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.
• A four-year degree and six months experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the work.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina.
• Bilingual preferred.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement Program and applicable legal procedures.
• Significant ability to interview clients, absent parents, and related sources, and to investigate cases.
• Significant ability to organize, analyze, and summarize case information.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and absent parents, location resources, offices of the Clerk of Court, Magistrates, District Attorney, Sheriff, other court officials, and private attorneys.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently with considerable independence.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance.
• Optional life and disability insurance plans.
• Flexible spending account.
• Retailer program.
• Deferred compensation program.
• Credit union membership.
• Employee assistance program.