Job Specification Details

The work of a Child Support Specialist II impacts the lives of children and families across the State of Vermont and potentially nationally and internationally. The Office of Child Support is federally mandated to provide holistic, family-centered, trauma-informed services. Thus, in this role, impartiality, equity, empathy, and procedural justice are key. Furthermore, Child support law is challenging and ever-changing. It requires adaptability, openness and flexibility. This role includes investigatory and paralegal work involving child support collection for the Office of Child Support. Duties involve collecting child support from noncustodial parents who have support obligations for parents on public assistance. The role also involves providing services for individuals not on public assistance and requesting services from the Office of Child Support to either modify, enforce, or establish child support. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to the four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation. Work is performed under the supervision of a Child Support Regional Manager or Child Support Supervisor II, in an assigned geographic area or in a specialized central office unit.

Interviews custodial parents to obtain information regarding all aspects of child support. Assesses needs of child support cases and does case management. Responds to case tracking mandates. Prepares financial information affidavits and calculates child support guidelines. Prepares petitions and affidavits to file with the court to establish parentage and establish, enforce and modify child support, which OCS paralegals and attorneys use to prepare cases for court. Conducts case manager conferences in Family Court to calculate child support judgments. Conducts settlement conferences to resolve complex child support issues prior to hearings. Prepares stipulations to be submitted to Family Court Magistrate. May seek adjustments to judgments as merited. May seek orders for wage withholding or garnishment of tax refunds. May assist in enforcing cases through license suspension and other enforcement mechanisms. May assist in procedures for establishing paternity in disputed cases. May refer cases of suspected fraud or child abuse to the appropriate agencies. May act as designated regional interstate specialist, who is the primary resource in interstate laws and regulations for the regional office and does responding actions for interstate cases. Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed in an assigned District Office, in the field and in Family Court. Incumbents must be able to function independently in a confrontational, even hostile environment. Private means of transportation must be available for required travel. The nature of the position may involve work outside of regular duty hours. Appearances at case manager conferences may be challenging and difficult as the task requires developing a cooperative agreement with parties who may be hostile.

Working knowledge of the philosophy and concepts of welfare programs.

Working knowledge of the Family Court system and proceedings.

Working knowledge of investigation principles and techniques.

Working knowledge of State and federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures related to public assistance programs.

Working knowledge of the resources available to assist in locating absent parents of children supported by the State.

Ability to read, interpret, and apply rules and regulations of considerable complexity.

Ability to conduct investigations with tact, diplomacy and firmness.

Ability to conduct an interview with reluctant participants.

Ability to prepare a variety of written and oral reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Bachelor's degree AND two (2) years or more of experience at or above a technical level in investigatory, analytical, research or paralegal work OR at a technical level in the Office of Child Support.

OR

Two years or more of full-time college coursework OR an associate's degree AND four (4) years or more of experience at or above a technical level in investigatory, analytical, research or paralegal work OR at a technical level in the Office of Child Support.

OR

Six (6) years or more of experience at or above a technical level in investigatory, analytical, research or paralegal work OR at a technical level in the Office of Child Support.

Note: All incumbents must successfully complete the OCS training curriculum within six months of hire, which includes passing the written Case Presenter's Exam.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.