Data Processing Specialist

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court for Operations, performs child support reviews every three years as required by statute or at the request of the Court or the Department of Health and Human Services. Reviews and analyzes financial earnings information to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parents for the purpose of determining child support in accordance with the Michigan Child Support Formula. Analyzes and audits suspense accounts to determine proper distribution of funds and to effectuate release of funds by the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU).

This is a full-time, benefited position primarily working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore St. in West Olive, MI, Some work responsibilities may be at the Ottawa County Courthouse located at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of accounting and auditing functions required to ensure the accurate assessment of child support and spousal support obligations and proper distribution of funds received by the Friend of the Court Office.
• Conducts child support reviews as required by statute or requested by the Court, Department of Health and Human Services. Monitors and reviews cases for non-compliance regarding payments and schedules show cause hearings as appropriate.
• Obtains earning and income information. Reviews income and business tax forms and schedules, financial statements, payroll records, Supplemental Security Income, disability income, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation and other earnings to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parent for the purpose of calculating child support. Reviews court orders to determine parenting time overnights, allocation of tax exemptions, health insurance provisions and other provisions impacting the child support calculation. Calculates birthing expenses based upon bills received from the State of Michigan.
• Researches data warehouse information and state/national pay rates to determine potential income for unemployed and underemployed parents based on prior earnings, education level and ability to earn income.
• Receipts, posts and reconciles payments made to the Friend of the Court office, including cash, bond checks, voided and reissued checks, state recoupments, GovPay and other payments not processed by the MiSDU. Balances daily receipts in preparation for daily deposit.
• Review suspense account reports to identify errors and distribute and release payments to the proper accounts in accordance with the terms of the payer's court orders and/or as mandated Federal distribution rule. Prepares account adjustment for abatements, bonuses, direct payment credits and other credits/debits to payer accounts.
• Monitor and reviews a variety of MiCSES error reports and corrects errors, including family violence i, escheatment, bankruptcies, electronic funds transfer, bad address and research data related to CAR's (court action referrals) and inactivated debit card reports.
• Provides technical support for staff computers, printers and other office equipment.
• Regularly serves as back up to FOC Clerk I position on the telephone and at the reception window when clerks are exceptionally busy or short-staffed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associate's degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business information systems, data processing or closely related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and business information systems; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with MiCSES and income support accounting preferred. Bachelor's degree in accounting or business information systems preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of standard and fund accounting; and other legally mandated standards governing public sector accounting, auditing practices, and financial accountability.
• Thorough knowledge and ability to read and interpret tax returns and schedules, financial statements and other financial documents establishing true income and earnings.
• Good working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula and the Michigan Birthing Expense Calculator and its application and use in the calculation of child support and birthing expenses. Familiarity with software calculations in MiCSES and MarginSoft.
• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of spreadsheet, database, accounting and MiCSES applications software. Ability to trouble shoot computer, software, and printer problems.
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.
• Ability to verbally interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, auditors, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court for Operations, performs child support reviews every three years as required by statute or at the request of the Court or the Department of Health and Human Services. Reviews and analyzes financial earnings information to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parents for the purpose of determining child support in accordance with the Michigan Child Support Formula. Analyzes and audits suspense accounts to determine proper distribution of funds and to effectuate release of funds by the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU).

This is a full-time, benefited position primarily working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore St. in West Olive, MI, Some work responsibilities may be at the Ottawa County Courthouse located at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of accounting and auditing functions required to ensure the accurate assessment of child support and spousal support obligations and proper distribution of funds received by the Friend of the Court Office.
• Conducts child support reviews as required by statute or requested by the Court, Department of Health and Human Services. Monitors and reviews cases for non-compliance regarding payments and schedules show cause hearings as appropriate.
• Obtains earning and income information. Reviews income and business tax forms and schedules, financial statements, payroll records, Supplemental Security Income, disability income, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation and other earnings to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parent for the purpose of calculating child support. Reviews court orders to determine parenting time overnights, allocation of tax exemptions, health insurance provisions and other provisions impacting the child support calculation. Calculates birthing expenses based upon bills received from the State of Michigan.
• Researches data warehouse information and state/national pay rates to determine potential income for unemployed and underemployed parents based on prior earnings, education level and ability to earn income.
• Receipts, posts and reconciles payments made to the Friend of the Court office, including cash, bond checks, voided and reissued checks, state recoupments, GovPay and other payments not processed by the MiSDU. Balances daily receipts in preparation for daily deposit.
• Review suspense account reports to identify errors and distribute and release payments to the proper accounts in accordance with the terms of the payer's court orders and/or as mandated Federal distribution rule. Prepares account adjustment for abatements, bonuses, direct payment credits and other credits/debits to payer accounts.
• Monitor and reviews a variety of MiCSES error reports and corrects errors, including family violence i, escheatment, bankruptcies, electronic funds transfer, bad address and research data related to CAR's (court action referrals) and inactivated debit card reports.
• Provides technical support for staff computers, printers and other office equipment.
• Regularly serves as back up to FOC Clerk I position on the telephone and at the reception window when clerks are exceptionally busy or short-staffed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associate's degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business information systems, data processing or closely related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and business information systems; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with MiCSES and income support accounting preferred. Bachelor's degree in accounting or business information systems preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of standard and fund accounting; and other legally mandated standards governing public sector accounting, auditing practices, and financial accountability.
• Thorough knowledge and ability to read and interpret tax returns and schedules, financial statements and other financial documents establishing true income and earnings.
• Good working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula and the Michigan Birthing Expense Calculator and its application and use in the calculation of child support and birthing expenses. Familiarity with software calculations in MiCSES and MarginSoft.
• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of spreadsheet, database, accounting and MiCSES applications software. Ability to trouble shoot computer, software, and printer problems.
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.
• Ability to verbally interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, auditors, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

This position is benefited and is in the Friend of the Court bargaining unit.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Friend of the Court collective bargaining agreement can be viewed here. The pay scale can be found here.

**Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.