CHILD SUPPORT SPECIALIST, LEAD

13

Talbot County Department of Social Services

301 Bay Street

Easton MD 21601

This is the lead level position of child support work. The Child Support Specialist Lead provides training to lower level Child Support Specialists and assigns, reviews, and approves their work. This position has direct impact on all performance related issues of collections and disbursement for the agency and is responsible for monitoring statewide statistics monthly and developing strategies to increase performance in all four measures. This position will be required to assume the responsibility of the team in the absence of the supervisor.

Supports the Supervisor by assigning, reviewing and approving the work of lower-level Child Support Staff. Investigates and analyzes child support cases and initiates appropriate actions to establish, maintain and enforce support payments, as well as enforcing medical support court orders to promote family well being and self-sufficiency.  Obtains, verifies and reviews information from non-custodial and custodial parents, employers, courts, attorneys, elected officials and others to enforce court orders and provide health insurance.  This also includes locating the parties under the Order of Court.  Updates, reviews, and monitors case records and payment activities using the Child Support Enforcement Computer System to determine the appropriate enforcement action to use to enforce and collect child support.  Interviews, investigates and responds to inquiries from custodial and non-custodial parents, courts, public officials, attorneys, and employers in order to resolve problems related to child support cases.  Initiates a variety of documents for administrative or court hearings, such as wage withholding, interstate transmittals, contempt petitions, subpoenas, and bench warrants to collect past-due child support payments.  Reviews and prepares case records to ensure the validity of information to present for voluntary agreements for payment of arrears with custodial and non-custodial parents.  Performs other related duties.  Travel between worksite and courthouse will be required. 

Education: An Associate of Arts degree in social services, human services, legal studies, public administration or similar fields of study from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two years of experience investigating and analyzing child support cases and initiating appropriate actions to establish, maintain and enforce support payments for dependent children in accordance with Federal and State laws, rules and regulations.

Notes: 1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required education.

2. A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, legal studies, public administration or similar fields of study from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required education and one year of the required experience.

3. Experience investigating and analyzing child support cases and initiating appropriate actions to establish, maintain or enforce support payments for dependent children in accordance with Federal and State laws, rules and regulations may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

4. Experience determining eligibility for government assistance programs may be substituted for one year of the specific program experience.

1. Current work experience in a State of Maryland Child Support Agency.

2. Court experience providing testimony in child support matters with custodial and non-custodial parents.

3. Ability to assume responsibility of the team in the absence of supervisor.

4. Ability to train lower-level Child Support Specialists.

Please provide complete details under your work experience in relation to the above listed preferred qualifications.

LIMITED TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  The assessment will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience relating to the requirements of the position.  Successful candidates will be placed on the employment (eligible) list as Best Qualified for at least one year.  The resulting eligible list may be used for future vacancies with this agency and other state agencies. If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate your salary will be determined in accordance with the State of Maryland Salary Guidelines.

The assessment will consist of rating of your education, training and experience relating to the requirements of the position.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  All approved candidates will be placed on an eligible list. 

The resulting eligible list may be used for future vacancies with this agency or other Local Offices of Child Support Enforcement within the Department of Human Resources.   

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.  

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact the Department of Human Resources at 410-767-7414.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated. Applications not identifying minimum qualifications and education will not be considered. This office, with your approval will verify your prior applicable work experience. In order to receive full consideration for time worked, please complete dates of employment in its entirety and identify number of hours worked for each entity.   

College transcripts are not required for the review of your application, and do not need to be forwarded.  Please clearly indicate your college degree and majors on your application. If selected for an interview, you will be required to bring an official transcript with you.  For all foreign education obtained outside of the U. S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service if selected for an interview.      

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred; however, the paper application may be submitted to: P. Wilkinson; Talbot Co. Dept. of Social Services; 301 Bay Street, Easton, MD 21601. The paper application must be received by 4:30 p.m. close of business, on the closing date of this recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.  Please do not submit unsolicited information. 

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay

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As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.