Class Code: 03345

93345

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

CHILD SUPPORT RECOVERY OFFICER

DEFINITION

Implements and coordinates the Child Support Recovery Program in a multi-county area or in a single large county; performs related work as required.

The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

WORK EXAMPLES

Assists supervisor by instructing employees, answering questions and distributing, balancing and checking work; may make suggestions on appointments, promotions and reassignments.

Develops local program goals and objectives for achieving statewide Child Support Recovery Unit goals within the counties/area assigned.

Locates absent parents in order to begin the support recovery procedure by requesting information useful to location (e.g., past occupations, names of business associates and employers, health condition, habits, and hobbies; relatives, friends, acquaintances, businesses, and other agencies are contacted by telephone, letter, and in person).

Contacts the absent parent in order to request and/or motivate the absent parent to call, write, or visit to discuss the frequency and/or amount of his/her child support payments, and to submit financial information such as income, living expenses, and debts.

Reviews/considers the absent parent’s financial statement to determine the amount of child support for the absent parent to begin paying if there is no court order setting support, or if he/she is unable to pay the court ordered amount.

Evaluates caseload in order to refer to the Court or the County Attorney those cases which are likely to result in the greater recovery.

Determines appropriate legal action to effect referral to the County Attorney or the Court by considering such factors: location of parties involved, where original court order was entered, availability of enforceable court order, and whether paternity has been established.

Refers cases to the County Attorney or Child Support Recovery Unit Attorney to initiate court action by providing relevant information (e.g., employment, income and expense data, and significant previous contact with the Child Support Recovery Unit).

Attends court hearings to provide testimony and/or make a recommendation on the disposition of the hearing to the County Attorney and the court.

Explains the Child Support Recovery Unit program, policies, and procedures to Income Maintenance staff, law enforcement agencies, County Boards of Supervisors, County Attorneys, and others in order to generate program interest, acceptance, and cooperation.

Coordinates Child Support Recovery Unit related activities of agencies, offices, and persons (e.g., County Social Service Offices, County Attorneys, Clerks of the District Court, magistrates, and sheriff's offices) in order to achieve effective enforcement of child support obligations.

Provides information to clients where paternity has not been established and where the child is under a specific age to explain the meaning and consequences of the paternity law.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of the goals, policies, procedures and applicable federal code sections of the Child Support Recovery Program.

Knowledge of the Income Maintenance Program as it relates to the Child Support Recovery Program (e.g., eligibility, grant computation, and effects of child support payments on the grant).

Knowledge of psychological and sociological factors influencing human behavior.

Knowledge of interviewing techniques and court procedures.

Knowledge of resources and methods relating to the location of absent parents.

Knowledge of the sections of the Code of Iowa applicable to the Child Support Recovery Program.

Knowledge of economic conditions at the local level including: cost of living, general salary ranges, availability of jobs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people (e.g., clerical support staff, Clerk of Court, Income Maintenance Staff, County Attorneys, District Judges, and clients having diverse economic and social status).

Ability to learn the laws and regulations affecting parents’ obligation of support and the various laws for enforcing that obligation.

Ability to collect, organize, and present facts and opinions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to explain and apply laws, Department policies, rules, and regulations in relation to specific child support recovery cases.

Ability to objectively consider all available data relevant to the situation being considered and to reach a viable decision on that data.

Ability to obtain, analyze and evaluate data, interpret laws, rules, and regulations and securing compliance.

Ability to review records and reports by evaluating their use and effectiveness.

Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or unethical behavior.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Committed to quality service.

Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

Responds appropriately to supervision. Follows policy and cooperates with supervisors.

Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.

Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of one year of full-time professional level experience such as program development, management or operations;

OR

experience equal to four years of full-time technical, administrative, or professional level experience related to the recovery of child support or in a public assistance (income maintenance) program;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting professional level experience in program development, management, or operations for each year of the required education at the rate of one year for each thirty semester hours of education to a maximum of four years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience with the state that includes the equivalent of either three years of full-time clerical experience in a child support recovery unit or two years of full-time experience as an administrative assistant in a child support recovery unit shall be considered as qualifying.

Effective Date: 9/07 CP