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Child Support Specialist, Senior

Child Support Specialist, Senior

Dakota County, MNHastings, MN, United States
19 hours ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Salary : See Position Description

Location : West St. Paul, MN

Job Type : Full-Time

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 33200.25.003

Department : Employment & Economic Assistance

Opening Date : 11 / 21 / 2025

Closing Date : 12 / 8 / 2025 4 : 30 PM Central

General Description

POSTING TYPE : Open

DEPARTMENT : Employment & Economic Assistance

HOURS : Full-Time

HIRING RANGE : $62,963 - $78,704 annually (Salary grade 107)

SALARY RANGE : $62,963 - $98,380 annually

LOCATION : West St. Paul

UNION : AFSCME 306

CLOSE DATE : 4 : 30 p.m. on 12 / 8 / 2025

This position helps safeguard family financial stability by performing complex child support para-professional work to establish and modify child support and respond to enforcement and other related legal actions in Minnesota's child support Expedited Process.

What You'll Do :

The Senior Child Support Specialist gathers and analyzes parent financial statements, employment and public assistance records, tax records, assets, and other sources of information relevant to the determination of child support in legal proceedings. They prepare legal paperwork for court actions, negotiate settlements and testify in court hearings. They exercise strong judgment to carry out assignments that can involve complex variables and circumstances based on the unique facts of each case. Their work can have significant impact on families and the quality of services delivered. The Senior Child Support Specialist works closely with, and under the legal direction of Assistant County Attorneys for their legal work, and under the direct supervision of a Child Support Supervisor.

This position is a career ladder opportunity in the child support position job series. It is ideal for someone who enjoys multifaceted tasks with statutory, programmatic and court rule requirements, analyzing complex data and information to propose what parents should pay based on multiple factors and detail-oriented work within established program timeframes for legal actions. Compared to Child Support Specialists, this senior role manages smaller but very active caseloads and completes specialized legal functions on cases assigned to Child Support Specialists. This position requires testifying in court as well as contact with parents, private attorneys, and others in person, virtually by phone and in writing. Senior Child Support Specialists work with individuals that may be experiencing crisis, trauma, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, domestic violence, incarceration, mental illness, chemical dependency and other challenging circumstances. This position requires interpersonal skills to work with families holistically, using person-centered approaches to reduce barriers, solve problems and meet outcomes.

Who We Are Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values : Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

Need to Have Qualifications :

  • Bachelor's degree in human services, business administration or finance, and one year of experience as a child support worker or family law paralegal / legal assistant; OR
  • Associate's degree and three years of experience as a child support worker or family law paralegal / legal assistant; OR
  • High School graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.) and five years of experience as a child support worker or family law paralegal / legal assistant.

AND

  • Must be proficient at keyboard skills, including typing at least 35 WPM.

    • Nice to Have Qualifications :

  • Completed degree in human services, humanities, social sciences or paralegal / legal assistant.
  • Direct child support experience that has occurred within the past five years in Minnesota.
  • Direct work experience preparing family court legal documents including summonses and complaints, motions, affidavits, and handling evidence pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure and Court rules.

    • Duties & Responsibilities

    These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

  • Conducts investigative interviews to locate individuals, income, public assistance benefits and assets; compiles, analyzes and verifies accuracy of income and expense information and other evidence; and resolves evidentiary and case discrepancies prior to commencement of legal actions.
  • Prepares necessary legal paperwork and documentation and assists in managing legal actions to establish or modify court orders and to respond to other specialized legal actions in the expedited legal process.
  • Facilitates and manages pre-hearing conferences with parents, private attorneys, and representatives of other jurisdictions in interstate child support cases. Negotiates legal settlements to negate the need for a court hearing.
  • Appears at court hearings to present case facts and recommendations, explains how child support calculations and other case findings were determined and answers questions posed by attorneys and Magistrates / Judges.
  • Analyzes and explains court orders, and complex program and legal processes as required by statute, federal / state policy, and court rules.
  • Resolves case disputes, conflicts and complaints.
  • Works with third parties (private attorneys, financial institutions, other jurisdictions, etc.) to facilitate secure child support.
  • Oversees the progress and workflow of legal and non-legal proceedings to ensure federal / state timelines, data accuracy and other requirements are met.
  • Manages and updates case files using state child support computer system and county electronic document management system, reviews and ensures data accuracy of case information and retention of records requirements, and performs ongoing case management activities.
  • Educates parents and others about child support, including participating in child support community outreach activities.
  • Attends regular and periodic meetings and training consistent with the role and participates in workgroups and committees as requested.
  • Participates in a variety of internal and external teams / groups / committees to advance program and technical solutions.
  • Provides technical assistance and mentoring to less experienced staff.
  • Actively supports Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) initiatives, including efforts to address racial disparities in child support program outcomes and to address the needs of diverse and underserved populations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

    • ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : Duties 1-10 are essential functions.

    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

  • Knowledge of child support program functions, rules and requirements.
  • Knowledge of federal regulations, state statutes, state policy, Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure, court rules and county policy / procedures, and the ability to apply them accurately to assigned work.
  • Knowledge of parent engagement principles and ability to apply them to work effectively with families.
  • Ability to employ effective research, interviewing, negotiating and investigative principles, methods, and techniques.
  • Ability to work cross-culturally and collaboratively, and to engage the strengths and perspectives of diverse team members.
  • Ability to organize, prioritize and process a high volume of work in an efficient and accurate manner and according to the needs of the organization and families.
  • Ability to explain complex program and legal concepts to parents, including Minnesota's shared income guidelines for child support.
  • Ability to think analytically and critically.
  • Ability to work independently and in a self-directed manner, and to work successfully and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Effective business writing and verbal communication skills, sometimes under conditions where relations may be confrontational or strained.
  • Conflict management and problem-solving skills.
  • Skill in MS Office software and data entry for the performance of essential duties.
  • Skill in record keeping and documentation principles and practices.
  • Skill in basic math / accounting principles applied to calculating parental income and applied to Minnesota's child support guidelines.
  • Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, and with those experiencing challenges such as mental illness, substance use disorder, disability, family violence, etc.

    • WORK ENVIRONMENT : Work is performed in a Dakota County office building and remotely. Occasional exposure to challenging and unpredictable behavior from clients. Work performed is primarily sedentary. Wrist and finger manipulation is required due to high volume computer work. Equipment used may include a laptop computer, multiple computer monitors, printer, telephone, copier, fax and calculator.

    SELECTION PROCESS : The examination / selection process for this classification will consist of rating your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

    LOCATION AND SCHEDULE : This is a hybrid position that involves a mix of working remotely and in the office at our Northern Service Center in West St Paul. There will be times that traveling to the office for team meetings, training, and other business reasons will be required. Work is primarily performed during regular business hours (8 : 00am - 4 : 30pm Monday through Friday), although a flexible work schedule may be considered following the probationary period.

    Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

    Visit our Benefits site for more information.

    01

    Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and / or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

    02

    Select the highest level of education completed or Degree held. (Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment.)

  • High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
  • Professional / Technical Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary education
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree or above

    • 03

    How many years of full time work experience do you have as a child support worker or paralegal / assistant?

  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 2 years
  • 3 - 4 years
  • 5 or more years
  • No experience

    • 04

    Describe your full time work experience as a child support worker or paralegal / assistant. Indicate the agency you work(ed) for and specific job duties. If you have no experience, indicate "none" in the space below.

    05

    Do you have at least one year of full-time work experience as a child support worker or paralegal / assistant worker in the State of Minnesota in the past five years?

  • Yes
  • No

    • 06

    How many years of experience do you have working or volunteering with underrepresented communities (people of color, lower social-economic levels, etc.)? Include positions where at least 20% of your clients were from these populations.

  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 2 years
  • 3 - 4 years
  • 5 or more years

    • 07

    Describe your working or volunteering experience with underrepresented communities (people of color, lower social-economic levels, etc.). Include positions where at least 20% of your clients were from these populations.

    08

    What is your keyboarding speed?If selected for an interview, the answer to this supplemental question may be verified during the interview process.If you are unsure of your keyboarding speed, you can take a free online test at www.typingtest.com

  • Less than 35 wpm
  • 35 wpm or higher

    • 09

    If selected for this position, what would be your minimum acceptable salary?

    10

    Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

  • Facebook
  • Friend, Family or Colleague
  • InDeed
  • Job Fair or Dakota County Event
  • Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
  • JobsInMinneapolis / StPaul
  • League of Minnesota Cities
  • LinkedIn
  • Minneapolis Diversity.com
  • Minnesota Diversity.com
  • Minnesota Works Website
  • Minnesota Jobs Network.com
  • Minnesota Association of Counties
  • Monster
  • Professional Association Website
  • Referred by a Dakota County Employee
  • St Paul Diversity.com
  • College Website, Instructor, Career Services
  • Dakota County Website
  • Other

    • 11

    If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

    Required Question

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    Child Support Specialist • Hastings, MN, United States