TCSU Child Support Specialist
Department: Tribal Child Support Unit
Location: Juneau
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade(s): 8-9 ($27.51 + DOE)

Purpose: Provide comprehensive child support services to children, custodial parent, and non-custodial parent by performing advanced level of services including interviews, investigations, financial negotiations, and collections. Work includes monitoring ongoing cases, conducting extensive research and interviews, modifying existing legal documents, preparing orders, negotiating stipulations, coordinating the processing of warrants and hearings. Document financial activities for TCSU; act as liaison for TANF program; and produce statistical and financial reports.

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Interview applicants to identify TCSU and E&T services needed; analyze cases to determine appropriate actions; locate parents and their assets using available information; and provide case management and activity tracking.
• Initiate actions to establish paternity, child support orders, and income withholding orders under guidelines set by tribe.
• Contact sources for income verification to collect data for cases requiring legal action; calculate child support obligations and debts; initiates appropriate collection actions; negotiates repayment of child support debts.
• Document contacts, correspondence, and record all actions taken for case in the Tribe’s child support data computer system.
• Examine and evaluate legal and other public records. Meet with people scheduled for court to negotiate stipulations.
• Inform applicants of case progress upon request.
• Respond to phone calls from public regarding court orders, complaint questions, etc.
• Assist the Child Support Attorney in court by providing the necessary information and documentation on cases referred; testify in court as needed.
• File court documents with the Tribal Courts, securing signatures and receiving new orders. Ensure that all court documents are stamped on the reverse side of the court document.
• Perform mail runs to the Tribal Courts as necessary.
• Prepares and provides timely required paperwork and reports on assigned caseload to ensure proper notice and actions and the status of each case.
• Coordinate with TANF program on identifying TANF recipients eligible for child support in order to track and record child support payments collected on their behalf.
• Record and track all child support payments per federal regulations; inform clients of late or uncollected payments to assist in appropriate collections actions to keep clients current.
• Calculate allocation for distributions per federal regulations.
• Record and track court fees and court ordered payments (genetic testing costs, service fees, etc.).
• Reconcile child support accounts and verify calculations of arrears due.
• Produce and mail monthly and/or quarterly statements to the non-custodial parent and custodial parent.
• Review of statistical and financial reports to determine correctness, completeness, and adherence to federal regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide backup to other TCSU Specialists.
• Must be willing to attend child support specific training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively:
• Excellent computer skills including MS office programs and familiar with databases.
• Ability to interpret and present procedures, reports and other information, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read and analyze legal documents such as a summons, petition, motion, affidavit, contempt papers, warrants, and order for appearance, and wage assignment.
• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking communication skills.
• Ability to work with and deescalate disruptive or unruly clients.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and determine appropriate action to be taken within specific tribal and federal statues, rules, and guidelines.
• Working knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Familiarity with Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• Associates degree with course work emphasis in Human Services, Corrections Science, Paralegal or a related field.
• Two (2) years of related case management experience.
• Must be 21 years of age and have a valid Driver’s License.
• Substitution: College education in Human Services, Corrections Science, Paralegal, or related field may be substituted for required experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• N/A

Physical Requirements. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation:
• The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:
• Certain positions at Tlingit & Haida may have exposure to certain hazardous materials or conditions. The supervisor will review these if applicable.