POSITION DESCRIPTION

WARREN COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

JOB CLASSIFICATION TITLE: CHILD SUPPORT INVESTIGATOR
FLSA STATUS Non Exempt EMPLOYMENT STATUS Full-time
PROBATION 365 Days REPORTS TO: Supervisor

CIVIL SERVICE STATUS Classified DIVISION: Specialized Enforcement

DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Child Support Investigators, under general supervision, perform a wide variety of child support

duties; maintains a caseload; investigates and analyzes child support cases, initiates appropriate

actions to establish and enforce child and medical support court orders. Updates, reviews and

monitors case records using the statewide Support Enforcement Tracking System (S.E.T.S).

Investigates and analyzes case information to determine the appropriate enforcement action to

enforce and collect child support. Reviews and prepares case records to ensure the validity of

information to present for testimony for judicial hearings related to child support enforcement

and collection. Interviews, investigates and responds to inquiries from custodial and non-

custodial parents, courts, attorneys and employers in order to resolve problems related to child

support. Initiates a variety of documents for administrative actions and/or court hearings, such as

legal court documents, wage withholding, interstate transmittals, contempt petitions, subpoenas,

and bench warrants to collect past-due child support payments.

Investigator responsibilities may include one or more of the following specialty areas: Call

Center Representative, Intake Investigator, Paternity & Establishment Investigator, Termination

Investigator, Modification & Review Investigator, Default Investigator, Location Investigator,

Cash Medical Investigator, and Intergovernmental Investigator. Please see individual

descriptions of Investigator descriptions included in this position description.

• More Consideration will be given to applicants that are fluent in both reading and speaking Spanish.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each

essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons,

covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accordance with the requirements of that

Act.

1. Case processing/management – prioritizes and works caseload workflow within time
constraints in accordance with Federal, State, and Administrative law, policy and

established procedures.

2. Utilizes S.E.T.S. to access and input case data and updates all pertinent information by
updating the appropriate screens ensuring information is accurate, complete, and up to

date; enters case notes of actions taken and/or information received;

3. Information Collection - Interviews custodial and non-custodial parents/caretakers to
obtain statements, documents, and other facts to determine what services are needed or

what action needs to be taken;

4. Utilizes a variety of databases to obtain information regarding current address, income,
and/or other resources that may aid in enforcing court ordered child support;

5. Researches and reviews case information to process applications, referrals, defaults,
complaints, etc., using all automated and manual resources available;

6. Calculations – Uses Federal, State, and Administrative formulas to determine the
appropriate amount of child support to be paid using the mandated State of Ohio Child

Support Guidelines; performs case audits to compute arrears owed by non-custodial

parents;

7. Legal document and form completion - utilizes boilerplate forms, compiles, and
organizes supporting documentation; initiates legal enforcement action through the

preparation and processing of a variety of documents such as adding or deleting arrears

payments, contempt actions, wage withholdings, health insurance, property liens, mistake

of fact hearings; processes court orders/entries, affidavits, and petitions; updates S.E.T.S.

with findings and court ordered changes;

8. Client contact and/or customer service – Responds to inquiries from case participants in
person, over the phone or through correspondence by interpreting and explaining rules,

regulations, and explains their rights and responsibilities, the responsibilities of the

CSEA, and provides written notice of same as required by ODJFS;

9. Reports and statistical information – completes reports and initiates the appropriate action
needed to complete findings within required timeframes;

10. Works in conjunction with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services when CSEA
cases have a record of public assistance;

11. Schedules/reschedules clients for appointments;
12. Attends meetings, training, seminars, and conferences to stay current with all child

support laws, policies, and processes.

13. Complies with confidentiality and Federal Tax Information laws and regulations;
14. Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance;
15. Performs other duties as assigned;

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Start each day with a positive attitude.

• A regular and predictable attendance is needed and expected to manage workload.

• Patience for callers. Treat all callers with respect and professionalism.

• Learn how to locate and use the online resources and tools provided by the State and/or

agency.

• Learn to navigate through SETS (Support Enforcement Tracking System), EDMS and

ONBASE, within first 6 months.

• Create a self-help guide as you train.

• Use the online CBT (computer based training) tool to learn the policies and procedures

regarding the services the agency provides.

• Build a working relationship with the various departments and learn what role they play

in the life of a case.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The employee must negotiate, use, or work with or in the vicinity of: emergency plans for

evacuation purposes; fire plans for the prevention of fire hazards; primary work environment is

an office setting; contact with public who may be argumentative, unreasonable, upset, hostile,

and potentially violent.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED

Computer; printer; calculator; copier; fax machine; scanner; shredder; telephone; and other

standard office equipment.

CONTACT WITH OTHERS

Non-custodial parents (payors); residential parents (payees); Attorneys, Magistrates, Judges,

other court personnel and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by position incumbent performing this job’s essential duties and

responsibilities. The physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be job qualification standards, but are

illustrated to help the employer, employee and/or applicant identify tasks where reasonable accommodations may be need

to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the jobs essential duties because of an ADA

disability.

Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck; frequent sitting for extended periods of

time at a computer; employee talks and hears over the telephone; repetitive use of hands to

operate computers, printers, and copiers; walking, standing, bending, and twisting of the neck;

vision demands include frequent close detailed vision when operating the computer; the ability to

adjust focus for close work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of: federal, state, and local laws governing child support actions; effective

English usage, grammar, and spelling; basic mathematical skills; legal enforcement

remedies; legal terminology and document processing; using a computer as a tool to

access and input data.

• Ability to: read, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local laws governing child

accurately; research and extract factual information; elicit information from hostile and/or

uncooperative individuals; communicate with and explain technical information to people

from a wide range of educational, cultural, and financial backgrounds; quickly evaluate a

situation and adopt a course of action; perform basic math skills (adding, subtracting,

multiplying, dividing, percentages); organize and prioritize work assignments; maintain

large caseloads, follow written and oral instructions; exercise tact, diplomacy, and

flexibility; make independent decisions; remain calm in difficult situations; maintain

confidentiality of information; and operate a keyboard and personal computer for long

periods of time.

• Skills in: operation of standard office and other job equipment; operation of job-related

QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may

qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Experience in organizing and prioritizing work and in meeting deadlines; demonstrated ability to

work cooperatively with staff and supervisor and to work independently; professional office

etiquette, self-motivation; good judgment and attention to detail. Demonstrable ability to

perform the essentials functions of the position.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Valid Ohio Driver’s License

This job description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities

to be performed by the employee filling this position, who will be required to follow instructions and

perform any duties required by the employee’s supervisor, Appointing Authority or designee.

My signature below signifies that I have reviewed the contents of my position description and

understand that I am expected to perform, to the best of my ability, the job duties and

requirements specified in this description. I further certify that I have reviewed the most current

copy of the Warren County Commissioners Personnel Policy Manual.

(Employee’s Signature) (Date

Intake Investigator

Receives and processes IV-D applications; receives and enters all demographic and court order

information from the courts and/or other referring agencies and departments into SETS (Support

Enforcement Tracking System); prepares and processes all documentation in file form or image

form; processes daily interface report from ODJFS; refers cases to appropriate department or unit

for verification and enforcement purposes.

Paternity & Establishment Investigator

Receives and processes all paternity and support establishment cases. Schedules interviews,

genetic testing, and administrative hearings for the purpose of establishing paternity and/or child

support. Interviews case participants and processes all documentation and information needed to

determine parentage and/or establish an order for child support by administrative process or

judicial process. Gathers pertinent information for legal discovery and prepares cases for court.

Follows up with judicial process to have administrative orders adopted by the courts. Files

appropriate forms with the Central Paternity Registry and/or vital statistics. Gathers income

information and documentation to calculate and set support in accordance with the Ohio

Guidelines.

Default Investigator

Completes in-house investigations utilizing SETS (Support Enforcement Tracking System) to

track and monitor the status of court ordered child support. Reviews and completes default lists,

follows up on default notices issued by taking the next action required to maintain compliance

with court ordered child support payments by initiating one or more of the following

enforcement techniques: income withholding orders for either earned or unearned income to

employers, financial institutions, retirement funds, prison earnings or from any earnings or asset

holding entity permitted by law; court order or administrative requirement for an obligor to seek

employment; administrative order for collection of arrearages by adding an additional amount to

pay towards the arrears; access restriction and withdraw directive to seize a bank account for the

payment of arrears; suspension of driving licenses and/or driving privileges. Refers cases for

administrative or judicial action to enforce an existing child support order. Corresponds with

obligors to ensure compliance with court ordered child support. Follows up on failed

enforcement actions.

Location Investigator

Utilizes SETS and other authorized data bases to locate absent parents and/or alleged fathers to

establish paternity, child support, and enforce existing court orders for child support. Sends and

receives address, employment, and asset verification forms issued both within the SETS system

and agency issued forms. Receives and processes all return mail to the agency; receives and

processes all name and address changes; receives, directs and/or responds to all written general

correspondence and requests for information from authorized and/or appropriate parties.

Receives and processes income withholdings regarding employment changes and/or income

holding entities.

Modification & Review Investigator

Receives and processes all requests for review and adjustment in accordance with the Ohio

Guidelines, Administrative Rules and the Ohio Revised Code. Gathers and verifies income

information and access to medical insurance from case participants and/or other income

generating sources. Follows and applies all rules pertaining to the timeframes permitted to

complete a review and adjustment. Ensures that all participants are informed of the process and

what the requirements are in order for a review and adjustment to be completed. Candidate must

have a thorough knowledge of child support calculation requirements and process of determining

annual income. Calculates support based on earnings and/or forms of income used for the

purpose of setting child support. Generates notices and recommendations utilizing the SETS

system to the appropriate case participants. Informs all parties of their rights and

responsibilities. Follows up with recommendations by filing an entry with the courts; receives

objections and sets an administrative hearing with the appropriate hearing officer and

participants in the hearing process.

Cash Medical Investigator

Cash medical support is an amount ordered to be paid in a child support order toward ordinary

medical expenses incurred during the calendar year. Every child support order established or

modified includes a cash medical order as part of the total order. As part of his/her duties, the

Cash Medical Investigator is responsible for sending Incoming Withholding Orders to employers

of obligors. Further, the Investigator is responsible for working National Medial Support Notices

for the health care obligor. The Investigator is also responsible for other duties as assigned by

his/her direct supervisor and/or the Director of the CSEA.

Intergovernmental Investigator

Under general direction, receives and evaluates cases referred for intergovernmental services.

Worker determines if case meets criteria for intergovernmental intervention and processes case

according to the service(s) needed. Interviews case participants to obtain pertinent information

that enables the agency to proceed or follow up with the initiating/responding States or Country.

Initiates actions with the courts and corresponds with other State agencies to ensure that proper

action is being taken to provide paternity, support establishment, location, and enforcement of

court ordered child support.

Call Center Representative

Under general supervision, responds to questions/concerns through telephone or personal contact

with the general public, case participants, and third parties. Contacts case participants and third

parties (i.e. employers) when necessary to verify or solicit information for enforcement purposes.

Accesses computer files for the purpose of obtaining pertinent information to answer questions

and general inquiries. Handles confidential information in accordance with the law and agency

policy. Enters comments into SETS (Support Enforcement Tracking System) detailing the

purpose of the call or visit to the agency. Resolves general questions and/or complaints. Refers

inquiries and/or issues to appropriate departments for further research, a provided service, or

enforcement of an existing court order. Communicates Agency’s purpose, services, procedures,

policies and rules to the public, case participants, and third parties. Performs other duties as

assigned.

Termination Investigator

Receives, evaluates, and processes all child support termination requests; verifies information to

ensure termination requirements have been met; prepares administrative termination paperwork

and submits recommendations to the appropriate parties; monitors objection period and follows

up with entry or sets for hearing.