County of Solano Job Announcement

Child Support Specialist (Entry)

(DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL ONLY)
Recruitment #09-412010-01

Approximate Salary:$37,512.66 - $45,596.88/year
Opening Date:10/7/2009 8:00:00 AM
Final Filing Date:10/16/2009 5:00:00 PM
Type of Recruitment: Departmental Promotional
Work Locations: Fairfield

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INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT FOR
SOLANO COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT EMPLOYEES ONLY.

THE POSITION

Incumbents in this class learn and apply child support laws, regulations, and procedures and acquire the skills to perform a broad range of child support casework activities.  As incumbents acquire knowledge and skills, they carry out their assignments with greater independence. Incumbents analyze information, initiate legal actions, participate in the settlement of cases and prepare clear, concise reports.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Interviews custodial and non-custodial parents, witnesses, family members, representatives from law enforcement agencies, and attorneys to obtain statements and gather information for locating absent parents and determining financial status; ensures that forms and applications for child support payments are complete and accurate; explains general legal requirements and the calculation of support payments to non-custodial parents and other involved parties.
 
Learns and implements practices and procedures in regard to the contacting of non-custodial parents to advise them of their child support obligations; obtains financial declarations; learns and applies proper procedures necessary to establish the amount of child support payment based on financial status of absent parents.
 
Participates in interviews to secure support agreements and to persuade responsible parties to make payments without recourse to legal action.
 
Informs the Health and Social Services Department of non-cooperative custodial parents; learns to prepare cases for civil or criminal prosecution within the standards set forth by statute and case law; protects the constitutional rights of the absent parent and the rights of the custodial parents and child.
 
Learns to and applies federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and procedures in order to secure current and delinquent child support payments; establishes paternity, child support, and medical coverage through legal action; conducts individual case assessments; provides customer services to clients; conducts investigations to obtain factual information; generates legal documents and performs mathematical calculations.
 
Makes verbal or written inquiries of various agencies and business firms in order to locate the whereabouts of absent parents; contacts friends or relatives of custodial parents or absent parents to determine the validity of information obtained or to gain additional information regarding the whereabouts of the absent parent.
 
Learns to and applies proper procedures in order to monitor support payment records to ensure that the responsible party is in compliance with court order; learns proper practices and procedures which are utilized when default occurs including the preparation of civil actions under direction of a Child Support Attorney; initiates delinquent notices to the responsible party when necessary in order to secure continued support payments; serves legal documents where appropriate.
 
Completes necessary accounting instructions to initiate support accounting processes; initiates accounting instructions to change support payments in accordance with modification of court orders; prepares and maintains forms, applications, case files, and other necessary records; generates legal documents related to child support, paternity, and medical support orders; serves court documents.
 
Maintains professional knowledge in applicable areas and keeps abreast of changes in job-related rules, statutes, laws and new business trends; makes recommendations for the implementation of changes; reads and interprets professional literature; attends training programs, workshops and seminars as appropriate.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Two (2) years of clerical experience involving extensive public contact. 
  • Completion of 15 semester or 22.5 quarter units, from an accredited college or university preferably in Sociology, Social Work, Business, Public Administration, Liberal Arts, Paralegal, Criminal Justice or other related courses. 

 

DOCUMENT SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

All candidates must submit a copy of their college degree (verifying the degree, date earned and it must clearly show area of specialization) or transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed).  Failure to submit your degree or transcripts within 5 days from the final filing date will disqualify you from the recruitment.  Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment.  Please contact your local college or university to learn where you can obtain this service.

 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Any applicant, who indicates that they have a college degree or have taken any college units, must provide proof, even though the position may not require a degree or college units.

 

Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The results must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment.  Please contact your local college or university to learn where you can obtain this service.

 

THESE TWO CERTIFICATES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.  Failure to submit the required certificates will result in immediate disqualification from further consideration in the recruitment process. Each certificate cannot be more than twelve (12) months old at the time of application, must be from an accredited school or other agency and include testing agency name, date tested and examiner’s signature.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license is required. 
Independent travel may be required.
 
Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills.
 
Candidates for positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy.
 
Incumbents of this class shall serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.
 
Incumbents of this class should demonstrate necessary knowledge and abilities to be promoted to Child Support Specialist within eighteen (18) months of appointment. 

SELECTION PLAN

<><><>THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR SOLANO COUNTY - DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT EMPLOYEES ONLY. Applications are currently being accepted until 5:00 p.m. PST on the final filing date. You will be notified of your status for the recruitment within 2-3 weeks from the final filing date. We do not anticipate opening this recruitment to the public. Reminder: All additional application materials are requested in the job announcement; (ie. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, certificates) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet and are due within five (5) days from the final filing date.

BENEFITS

"SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"

 

SALARY POLICIES - The starting salary is ordinarily the first rate shown on the front of the announcement.  After satisfactory completion of approximately six months, a 5% salary advancement may be authorized.  Thereafter, further increases are possible upon completion of additional periods of six months, twelve months, and eighteen months, assuming satisfactory service.  Longevity, shift differential, bilingual, call back and stand by pay are provided for some classifications.  Effective December 1, 1998, all new hires are required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.

 

HOLIDAYS & VACATIONS – Regular full time employees receive twelve paid holidays per year, and accrue vacation at the rate of ten days per year.  After three years of continuous service employees accrue vacation time at the rate of fifteen days per year and at the rate of twenty days per year after ten years. Senior and Executive management positions start earning vacation at a higher rate.

 

SICK LEAVE – Regular full time employees accumulate twelve sick leave days per year.

 

RETIREMENT - The county is a member of the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS), and benefits are coordinated with Social Security.  The County has reciprocity with all State PERS and County 1937 Act Retirement Systems agencies.  PERS retirement for miscellaneous employees is based on a formula of 2.7% @55 with both employee and employer contributing.  PERS safety retirement is based on a formula of 3.0% @ 50 or 2.0% @ 50 depending on the job classification.  The County reports the employer’s contribution to PERS as salary, thereby increasing employees pay upon retirement. 

 

HEALTH BENEFITS - Employees and their dependents are eligible for vision and dental insurance with 100% of the cost paid by the County of Solano.  The County also participates in a cafeteria medical plan administered by PERS HealthCare (eligibility is dependent upon job classification). 

 

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - An Employee Assistance Program is also available.

 

OTHER BENEFITS – Employees also may elect to participate in a deferred compensation and the credit union.  All County employees are eligible to purchase auto and/or home owners, renter insurance from Liberty Mutual Insurance.  This is a group policy and therefore receive substantial savings on premiums.  Life insurance is also available for employees only.

 

SELECTION PROCESS

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of a resume screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. Depending on the job class, candidates may need to successfully pass a post-offer drug screening test prior to employment.  Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. These provisions are subject to change.


 

HOW TO APPLY

All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement, (ie. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, certificates, DD-214) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet and are due within five (5) calendar days of the final filing date or within five (5) calendar days from application submittal if the recruitment is Open & Continuous or Open until Filled.  Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com to apply.  Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources, (707) 784-6170 open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS

To be eligible, you must be an applicant for initial County employment, have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF YOUR DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN FIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.  If you have a service connected disability, you must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating you are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points.  Veteran's preference 5 points Disabled Veterans 10 points.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

 

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you are a qualified individual with a disability, that is, someone who is able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, contact the Solano County Department of Human Resources at 707.784.4194, for a Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.  This form should be received in the Human Resources Department within 5 days from the final filing date of the recruitment.  A staff member will contact you and advise you how to proceed.

 

IMPORTANT: If you are a Solano County employee with a disabling condition, and are unable to perform the essential functions of your present position with or without reasonable accommodation, you may be eligible for preferential certification to an alternative position.  Please immediately notify the ADA Coordinator @ 707.784.4194 to initiate review of this option.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

PLEASE NOTE: All persons hired will be required to participate in the direct deposit program.

 

HIRING PROCEDURES - Depending on the number of qualified applicants received, the selection process may consist of a resume screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. Candidates must be successful in each part of the examination.  For Civil Service positions, the appointing authority is entitled to certification of the top five candidates by score.

 

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE ACT – Depending on the applicant’s job class, prospective employees may be required to undergo a Urine Drug Test in accordance with the Solano County Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Solano County employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the California Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990.

 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - Prior to appointment you may be required to pass a medical examination.  Candidates are encouraged not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical examination has been completed and passed.

 

APPOINTMENT - At the time of appointment all candidates will be fingerprinted and required to execute an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California.  You will also be required to offer proof that you are a lawfully admitted alien or U.S. citizen.

 

EXAMINATION APPEALS - For Civil Service positions, individuals selecting to appeal their disqualification in any phase of the examination process must submit a written statement to the Director of Human Resources, within five calendar days of the receipt of the action, indicating the action being appealed, their specific basis for the appeal and the relief sought.

 

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - All new positions are required to successfully complete a minimum probationary period of six to twelve months, depending upon the position.  A probationary period does not apply to "at will" positions.

 

EXTRA HELP APPOINTMENTS - Appointments may be made from an eligible list for extra help (up to 999 hours/fiscal year, no benefits) positions.

 

DISASTER WORKERS - In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

 

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.