DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3

Description

DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 - Lead Worker

Do you enjoy helping others, sharing your knowledge, and making sure tasks are completed thoroughly and thoughtfully with care and consistency? Do you have experience in child support and want to mentor others in collection best practices? The Division of Child Support is looking to welcome a Support Enforcement Officer 3 to serve as a lead worker in their Tacoma office. In this position, you’ll be a go-to resource, a mentor, and a trusted leader.

As a lead worker, you'll support families across Washington state by helping make sure children receive the financial and medical support they need to grow and thrive. You’ll also serve as a key resource for your team—training others, answering questions, reviewing work, and act on the behalf of the supervisor when needed.

• Train staff in all aspects of child support collections and enforcement.
• Review work and explain child support laws and procedures in ways that are clear and practical.
• Audit work and processes to ensure we’re meeting both state and federal guidelines.
• Make critical casework decisions such as initiating, preparing, signing, and serving administrative and legal support enforcement actions.
• Establish Administrative Child Support Orders by researching and locating income information.
• Analyze, interpret, and apply State, Tribal, Federal, and International laws pertaining to paternity.
• Maintain technical expertise amidst constant changes in laws, policies, and procedures in order to be a resource for the team.
• Negotiate debt repayment terms.
• Calculate complex financial and medical child support obligations and arrearages.
• Assist with developing and implementing training plans and performance management plans.
• Assist walk-in customers.
• Act on behalf of the supervisor in their absence.

Two years of college level coursework*,

AND

Four years* of experience related to child support enforcement and/or debt collection, including two years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.

• Note: Equivalent education and/or experience may be substitute year for year.

• Understanding of laws and regulations: Knowledge of State statutes and Federal regulations, court decisions, paternity proceedings, accounting and collection practices, legal rights, and remedies in support enforcement.
• Customer service: You listen actively, speak respectfully, and support clients in often challenging situations.
• Team leadership: You’re confident mentoring others and helping them grow in their roles.
• Collection experience: You have experience with enforcement practices, interpreting financial records, and tracking payments.
• Time management: You juggle competing tasks and deadlines without letting the details slip.
• Investigative skills: You know how to gather information from various sources to make informed decisions.
• Adaptability: You stay steady and responsive in a fast-changing policy and workload environment.
• Technical skills: You are comfortable using case management systems like the Support Enforcement Management System.
• Independence: You work well on your own, make sound decisions, and stay focused on priorities.
• Conflict resolution skills: To calmly and respectfully de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
• Strong communication skills: Able to clearly explain complex legal and financial information to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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