Child Support Specialist (Entry)

This is the entry level class in the Child Support Specialist series.  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.  

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term, or extra-help positions as vacancies occur throughout the County. In addition, this list may be used to fill bilingual positions as some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish.  

The written exam is tentatively scheduled for January 29, 2014. 

ALL TRANSCRIPTS SUBMITTED AFTER 5:00PM ON JANUARY 17, 2014 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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.

 

Two (2) years of clerical experience involving extensive public contact. AND

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. 

  

All candidates must submit a copy of their college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed).  Failure to submit your diploma or transcripts by the final filing date will disqualify you from the recruitment. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  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.

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, or by fax to (707) 784-3424 or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (e.g., child support specialist - Entry) and the recruitment number (e.g., 14-412010-01).  When submitting documents via email, include the recruitment title and number in the subject field. 

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to help determine your qualifications for this position and whether you continue in the recruitment process.  

Do you have two years of CLERICAL experience involving extensive PUBLIC CONTACT?  

Yes ____     No   ____  

Have you completed 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?

 

Yes ____     No   ____  

   

 

 

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 should demonstrate necessary knowledge and abilities to be promoted to Child Support Specialist within eighteen (18) months of appointment. 

   

 

Pursuant to the California State DCSS Information Security Manual, upon selection or hire, you will be restricted from accessing child support cases where you are a participant, and/or a person on the case is known to the you; (e.g., relatives,  friends, or business relationships).

01/29/2014 Written Exam
02/10/2014 Oral Board

SALARY POLICIES - The starting salary is ordinarily the first rate shown on the front of the announcement.  Salary advancement is authorized after satisfactory completion of additional periods outlined in the employee’s memoranda of understanding or the County’s Personnel and Salary Resolution.  Longevity, shift differential, bilingual, call-back and stand-by pay maybe available for some job classes. 

HOLIDAYS – Regular and limited-term employees receive 12 paid holidays per year.

ANNUAL/SICK LEAVE - Regular and limited-term employees accrue vacation leave at the rate of ten days per year.  After a certain period of continuous service, employees accrue vacation time at a higher rate as outlined in the employee’s memoranda of understanding or resolution. Regular and limited-term full time employees accumulate 12 sick leave days per year.

RETIREMENT - Employees who have never been a member of any public retirement system prior to January 1, 2013, or who have moved between retirement systems and were not subject to reciprocity, or who have moved between public employers within a public retirement system after a break in service that is greater than six months are eligible for a miscellaneous retirement plan of the 2% at age 62 benefit formula.  Employees entering membership in Solano County’s miscellaneous retirement plan on or after May 4, 2012 but before January 1, 2013, or who have moved between public employers within a public retirement system with a break in service that is less than six months are eligible for a 2% at age 60 benefit formula.  Employees entering membership in Solano County’s miscellaneous retirement plan prior to May 4, 2012 are eligible for a 2.7% at age 55 benefit formula. 

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 class). 

OTHER BENEFITS – Employees may also elect to participate in deferred compensation, credit union, life insurance, and flexible spending plan.  All County employees are eligible to purchase auto and/or home owners, renter insurance from Liberty Mutual Insurance.  An Employee Assistance Program is also provided.

EXTRA-HELP - Extra-help employees do not receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment.

The written exam is scheduled for January 29, 2014.  Qualified candidates will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. 

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 an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral interview, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

All potential new hires (including new contract employees) and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change. 

All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, certificates, DD-214) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet and are due on the final filing date. 

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply.  Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533.  The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

To be eligible, applicant must 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 THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined grade.  Disabled veterans shall have 10 points added to their combined grade.  Veteran scores will only be added to passing scores. 

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:  Qualified individual with a disability, who is able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, must contact the Solano County Department of Human Resources at (707)784-6170, for a Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.  This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicant will be contacted to discuss the request.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: All persons hired will be required to participate in the direct deposit program.

 

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.

 

RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees. 

 

BACKGROUND PROCESS –The background process may include but not limited to conducting a reference check, completing a personal history statement, conducting a background interview, and live scan fingerprinting.  The County of Solano also utilizes e-Verify to verify employment eligibility.  Note:  A felony conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.    The County will consider the nature, date and relationship between the offense and the position for which you are applying.

 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - Prior to appointment, candidates 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 required to execute an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California and may be fingerprinted.  Candidates will also be required to offer proof that they are a lawfully admitted alien or U.S. citizen.

 

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - All new positions are required to successfully complete a minimum probationary period of 6 to 12 months, depending upon the job class.  A probationary period does not apply to "at will" 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.

 

EXTRA-HELP – An employee appointed to an extra-help position must meet all the requirements of the corresponding regular position.  Extra-help employees cannot work more than 999 hours in the fiscal year.  Extra-help employees are excluded from civil service and do not have rights to regular or continued employment.

 

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.

 

"SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"