Child Support Specialist – Intake/Financial/Enforcement

Application deadline: 2026-08-12

About the role

This position involves initiating, managing, and closing child support cases, processing financial and legal documents, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. The role requires interaction with clients, attorneys, employers, and other agencies, as well as maintaining accurate records in the Kids Information Data System (KIDS) and other relevant systems.

Responsibilities

• Initiate new cases by creating or reopening files for public assistance, substitute care benefits, kinship care benefits, non-public assistance cases, guardian ad litem cases, and child support IV-D applications.
• Respond to inquiries related to case setup in the Child Support Agency and KIDS.
• Evaluate and process data to facilitate case initiation, file preparation, and file maintenance.
• Enter and interpret incoming financial and non-financial court orders into KIDS.
• Perform account reconciliations, refunds, and adjustments.
• Process Income Withholding Orders and online adjustments to the State.
• Follow up on modified accounts to ensure correct charges.
• Determine case closure based on federal criteria.
• Review reports and worklists relevant to case intake and financial management.
• Monitor suspense reports to ensure proper disbursement of funds.
• Complete balance adjustments and retrieve KIDSTAR payment images upon request.
• Investigate, correct, and adjust posting errors.
• Reconcile and maintain accounting and clerical records for the Child Support bank account.
• Balance cash drawer and prepare coupons for checks sent to the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF).
• Serve as backup for department deposits to the County Treasurer.
• Identify and forward payments received at the Child Support Agency to WI SCTF.
• Testify regarding payment records in court hearings when required.
• Maintain and destroy financial records per county policy.
• Review, research, and assess applications or referrals for child support or medical support orders and enforcement.
• Draft, compose, enter, and process legal documents such as motions, affidavits, stipulations, judgments, orders, warrants, and Income Withholding Orders.
• Document all case contacts, correspondence, and actions in KIDS in accordance with the Bureau of Child Support.
• Review and interpret financial information to determine child support obligations per Wisconsin statutes and guidelines.
• Determine the availability of medical insurance.
• Attend court hearings, take notes, and testify if summoned.
• Negotiate settlement agreements with parents and attorneys.
• Prepare legal documents for interstate enforcement and establishment.
• Work with other states to facilitate enforcement and establishment.
• Conduct investigative activities to locate absent parents.
• Monitor and enforce child support orders and payment records to ensure compliance.
• Communicate with clients, attorneys, employers, and other related persons regarding case concerns via telephone or in-person.
• Process reviews of court orders, confirming shared-time placement, split custody, and serial family payers, resolving issues via stipulation or court hearings.
• Implement and maintain administrative lien processes, account seizures, and alternative payment plans.
• Evaluate and process monthly performance reports.
• Maintain case files in KIDS, e-filing, and electronic office files.
• Close cases based on federal closure criteria.
• Provide backup assistance to other department personnel as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge and ability to use the State of Wisconsin Kids Information Data System (KIDS) and other systems such as CARES/CWW, DOT, CCAP, DIHLER, Vital Records, CLEAR, and various state department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping procedures and ability to handle money.
• Understanding of standard accounting principles and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies, written instructions, general correspondence, federal, state, and local regulations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and manage a high volume of work with minimal direction.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently under stringent time limits.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures, including operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Proficiency in computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required for the position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English, both written and verbally.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively and tactfully, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and effective working relationships within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files and conversations, in compliance with open records laws and applicable statutes.

Physical and Work Environment

• Occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.
• Regularly requires sitting; frequently requires standing, speaking, hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and repetitive motions.
• Occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Standard vision requirements for office work.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work involves preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• May require dealing with hostile or aggressive individuals, posing threatening conditions.