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County of Monterey

Child Support Officer I

County of Monterey, Salinas, California, United States, 93911

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NOTE: APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 01/21/2026 @ 11:59 P.M.

Child Support Officer I – The Child Support Officer I performs a wide variety of child support duties consisting of maintaining a caseload, locating and interviewing custodial and non‑custodial parents and others to elicit factual information for the purpose of establishing child support obligations and enforcing child support laws. The officer arranges for support payments when possible, prepares cases for court hearings as necessary, and performs related work as required. Working under close supervision, this entry/trainee level position provides in‑service training and detailed instructions on child support laws, regulations, and casework activities. Employees are expected to promote to Child Support Officer II after one year of satisfactory performance at the entry/trainee level.

Duties

Manages a general caseload of child support legal actions and the establishment, enforcement and collection of child support payment obligations based on established guidelines.

Coordinates appointments for personal interviews with custodial and non‑custodial parents, employers, and attorneys.

Develops and analyzes information for the establishment of paternity.

Uses a variety of methods, systems and procedures for locating information on custodial and non‑custodial parents' assets, income, and liabilities.

Evaluates income and expense data of custodial and non‑custodial parents to determine and recommend child support payment obligations based on established guidelines.

Responds to general inquiries and explains general child support laws, court orders, rules, regulations, and policies to the public and staff.

Participates in interviews to secure support agreements and to persuade responsible parties to make payments without recourse to legal action.

Prepares and processes legal documents necessary for the establishment, collection, and enforcement of child support obligations.

Documents and updates customer information, contact information, case actions/history logs, and records using a statewide automated system.

Provides case status information, explains the complaint resolution process, and answers case‑specific questions for all involved parties ensuring the verbiage used cannot be interpreted as legal advice.

Applies federal, state, and local codes, procedures, and rules in establishing and processing child support cases.

Coordinates and/or conducts genetic tests when needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge

Civil and criminal law, and Federal and California laws and regulations pertaining to the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations.

Sources, methods, and techniques used to locate non‑custodial parents, relatives, and related persons, assets, income, and liabilities.

Techniques and methods for establishing paternity.

Child support specific collection methods and techniques.

Legal terminology used when explaining legal procedures to customers or the public.

When and how to prepare and process a variety of child support related legal documents in a clear and concise manner.

The structure and content of the English language.

Basic mathematics and business arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, and decimals.

Skills & Abilities

Apply specialized Federal child support laws and procedures as they apply to intergovernmental and international cases.

Explain child support procedures, regulations, and requirements to individuals from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds.

Use effective interviewing techniques to interview a wide variety of people, over the telephone and in person.

Use patience, tact and courtesy in firmly dealing with people who may be uncooperative, unreasonable, angry, upset, or hostile.

Collect DNA samples to establish paternity.

Use sound independent judgment to analyze factual information, situations, and people.

Understand financial records such as tax records, income and expense reports, and employer earnings records to determine the amount of child support payment obligations.

Compile multiple pieces of information clearly and concisely into an organized and understandable written report or oral presentation.

Organize work and set priorities in order to meet critical deadlines with minimal direction.

Exercise initiative within the limits of assigned duties.

Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive or personal information.

Establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, courts, attorneys, other agencies, and the public.

Be flexible and supportive of change.

Prioritize multiple assignments having conflicting deadlines.

Effectively use computer and other resources to prepare and manage cases.

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of full‑time clerical experience which included interaction with the public.

OR one year of full‑time experience performing debt collections duties which included interviewing others for the purpose of collecting information.

OR one year of full‑time experience performing duties of a Child Support Assistant I or Office Assistant II in a Child Support Services Department.

OR completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of college. Qualifying experience or education may be combined to meet the above requirements; 15 semester units or 22 quarter units equal six months of experience.

Other Eligibility Information

Proficiency in Spanish is optional.

Employee must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven.

Background investigation required and repeated every five years.

Verification of legal right to work in the United States is required on the first day of employment.

Valid Social Security card required on the first day of employment.

Veterans Preference If you would like to request Veteran's preference points as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD‑214 form to your application.

Training & Experience Examination The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses are assessed on a rating scale. A minimum rating of 70 % is required to be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List Information An open eligible list will be established for the county of Monterey and will be used for 12 months unless conditions warrant a change.

Retest Period Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for six (6) months from the established eligibility date.

Special Testing Arrangements Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. Contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916‑909‑3701 after your application has been approved. Documentation must be received at least five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

Application Documents Include your transcripts if using education to meet the minimum qualifications. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for equivalency. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Redact birthdates and social security numbers.

General Information This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

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