Child Support Technician IA

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $40,000-$42,000

Employee Benefits

As a reflection of the value we place on the contributions of our employees, the County offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees. Please review the 2023 Benefits Guide for full details. The Guide provides information on Lake County Government's benefit offerings, including:

• Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• 401(a) and 457(b) Employer Matched Retirement Plans
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!

Position Summary

The Child Support Technician IA will perform Case Management duties for the child support unit. Potential hybrid work schedule upon supervisor recommendation.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Interviews clients to obtain absent parent information, including the identity of the absent parent, the determination of existing court orders, the whereabouts of the absent parent and their available assets. Obtains further information utilizing existing resources and locates absent parent. Recommends whether or not to pursue support or whether good cause is appropriate.
• Interviews absent parents and/or their attorneys to obtain information and determine their ability to pay child support; negotiates support orders and settlements with absent parents; analyzes financial affidavits; negotiates stipulations for child support and modifications.
• Reviews information provided by the client and researches case records to determine current status and legal case history and determines the most appropriate legal procedure applicable; judgment stipulations, agreement to intercept unemployment benefits; prepares garnishment papers and works with employer to ensure follow-up; initiates appropriate paperwork and documents for case actions which include initiating UFISA, interrogatories, wage assignments, judgment, garnishments, contempt citations.
• Prepares documentation and cases for presentation in court hearings; assists the IV-D attorney at court hearings; attends court hearings; discusses irregular or difficult cases with IV-D attorney; drafts pleadings subsequent to court hearings at request of attorney (findings of the court, etc.) for attorney’s approval and judge’s signature. Initiates and receives communications both written and verbal, to and from clients, district courts, attorney, other child support units, public and private agencies.
• Monitors child support payments and follows up when necessary. May renegotiate settlements if changes in income or financial problems occur.
• Sets up and monitors paternity tests, ensuring that legal requirements are met.
• Reports to TANF and CCAP eligibility technicians on the client’s “cooperation” or “non-cooperation.” Notes the irregularities that may affect TANF and CCAP eligibility or constitute fraud and refers to investigations and technicians.
• Establishes foster care fees and/or child support orders as appropriate.
• Requests and researches financial information on custodial and non-custodial parent to establish a child support and/or medical support order of TANF, CCAP and Foster Care cases which may include reimbursement of TANF and Foster Care arrears or retroactive support for NIVA case. Performs review and adjustment of current support or medical support for modification to increase or decrease for ongoing TANF and NIVA cases. This is all performed through either APA (Administrative Process) or the judicial process.
• Works closely with State Staff on cases with driver’s license and professional license suspension; credit reporting agency on delinquent accounts; and passport suspension. Interception of State and Federal income tax, lottery, unemployment benefits and workman’s compensation case and correction of amounts if erroneously intercepted.
• Releases payments on hold and makes adjustments to ledgers, back out and repost monies on accounts.

Marginal Functions:

As a part of the Lake County Department of Human Services, this position is required to serve Lake County in Emergency Service Function 6 (Mass Care and Mass Shelter) as needed.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements Knowledge of:

• Child support laws, rules and regulations.
• Court procedures, documents, legal terminology, methods of enforcement, i.e., garnishments, liens, wage assignments, intercepts.
• Eligibility criteria and TANF and CCAP rules and regulations.
• Collections methods.
• Skills in interviewing, obtaining sensitive information, and negotiating settlement.

Ability to:

• Become APA certified and maintain certification every three years.
• Utilize available resources and documentation, determine best methods to locate absent parents, establish paternity, and enforce child support payment.
• Analyze information and financial data to arrange payments and prepare cases.
• Prepare correspondence and written information on cases.
• Work with hostile or distraught clients, absent parents.
• Apply critical thinking skills and sound judgment to problem solve.
• Plan and organize workload and objectives.
• Take direction from unit supervisor and follow all policies and protocols to ensure quality. This includes attending ongoing training at the direction of supervisor.

Lake County Benefits - Full-Time Employees

As a reflection of the value we place on the contributions of our employees, the County offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees. Please review the 2023 Benefits Guide for full details. The Guide provides information on Lake County Government's benefit offerings, including:

• Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• 401(a) and 457(b) Employer Matched Retirement Plans
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Health Emergency Leave
• Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!

Lake County Benefits - Part-Time Employees

Lake County is also proud to offer paid sick time off, Public Health Emergency Leave, and flexible work schedules for our part-time employees.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.