This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Child Support Specialist
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is entry-level professional work involving the management of assigned child support cases within the Family Support Division of the Department of Social Services, with responsibility for activities associated with the establishment, enforcement, and/or modification of child support orders and obligations.
Investigates non-support inquiries, prepares cases, interviews custodial and non-custodial parents, and locates a non-custodial parent.
Initiates legal mandates for child support where none exists.
Receives and processes referrals for location of non-custodial parents in non-support claims, using investigative techniques and a range of state, federal and other resources; pursues new leads as the case develops.
Interviews non-custodial parent in order to provide information and advice concerning program policy, procedures and guidelines as they relate to child support obligations, collection and distribution.
Initiates legal action and/or genetic testing to determine and/or establish paternity.
Uses administrative process and/or legal referral for the establishment of child support and/or medical support orders.
Evaluates non-custodial parent's income and expenses to compute the child support obligation amount.
Initiates enforcement action on non-paying child support cases by making phone calls to non-paying parents, filing orders and issuing income withholding orders, filing liens of various types, and filing prosecuting attorney and interstate referrals.
Performs central registry location services for child support cases under the auspices of the Missouri child support program.
Calculates and determines arrearage on child support cases; monitors payments, requests for refunds and releases payments as appropriate.
Reviews and seeks case modifications, as required; prepares evidence packets for legal proceedings with the circuit court and files administrative judgments with the circuit clerk.
Maintains computerized and hard copy data.
Initiates and receives telephone and written inquiries from custodial and non-custodial parents, attorneys and/or employers regarding the child support program and/or specific case situations.
Schedules and participates in administrative hearings conducted by the Division of Legal Services.
Negotiates and prepares repayment agreements with public assistance clients when fraud or theft has occurred.
Reviews and verifies Internal Revenue Service and State tax intercept listings, assists in coordinating and processing intercept actions, advises clients about the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service and Missouri Tax Intercept programs, prepares and processes refund, and redistributes and releases child support collection requests as appropriate.
Forwards all undeliverable child support collections to the Division of Unclaimed Property as appropriate.
Serves as liaison with other public and private entities in the course of intercepting benefits, withholding of assets or the suspension of various licenses (such as hunting, driver's or professional licenses) to enforce child support obligations or collect past-due child support.
Attends individual supervisory conferences and staff meetings to discuss assigned cases, work progress, problem cases and/or program policy and procedures; participates in training sessions as required.
Travels, as required, for training, meetings and/court appearances.
Works in an office environment within the limit of established state and federal laws and agency policies and procedures.
Receives general supervision from a Child Support Supervisor or other administrative supervisor for attainment of objectives through case record review, system notices, reports and conferences.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility. Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement; no other substitutions will be permitted. These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
Four or more years of clerical experience (e.g., General Office Assistant, Office Support Assistant, etc.) in income maintenance or child support activities with the Missouri Department of Social Services.
OR
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
(Qualifying experience as described below may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)
OR
Four or more years of experience in areas requiring extensive customer interaction which includes working with, or management of, business or employee financial records, sales, marketing, management, direct consumer or public contact, and/or customer service functions; and possession of a high school diploma or proof of high school equivalency.
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Introductory knowledge of mathematics and/or accounting principles used in the calculation of child support obligations, arrearages, and support enforcement fees.
Introductory knowledge of communication skills, interviewing and negotiation principles and techniques.
Introductory knowledge of techniques to assess case situations and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Introductory knowledge of the Missouri judicial system as well as the processes used by prosecuting attorneys and circuit clerks.
Skill in handling client behaviors such as fear, hostility, and aggression.
Ability to understand, explain and apply federal and state laws, program policies and procedures, and court directives.
Ability to maintain accurate and systematic records and to organize and prioritize the workload to meet assigned timeframes.
Ability to adapt to changes in policy, procedures and work assignments.
Ability to operate a personal computer and use automated technology to establish and maintain case records.
Ability to communicate effectively with agency staff, attorneys, circuit clerks, judges, non-custodial parents, clients and other persons concerned with child support activities.
Ability to travel, as required, for agency business.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
View benefits