Support Enforcement Agent Senior (Child Support Specialist Senior)

The current vacancy is in the County Attorney's Department.  The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.

This position ensures the financial stability of Minnesota’s families through the establishment of paternity and child support orders, the enforcement and modification of child support orders, and the collection of funds that support children and families. This position involves heavy computer use and analysis of information as well as high volume of client contact, primarily on the telephone. Support Enforcement Agents work closely with Assistant County Attorneys. This position gives testimony in court and before child support tribunals on behalf of the county under the direction and guidance of the County Attorney. The Support Enforcement Agent Senior acts as a lead worker and provides work direction, training and quality review for other agents and support staff. Depending on the unit assigned, employees perform some or all of the following functions.

Flexible Workplace

This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

1. Provide work direction for agents and support staff engaged in program duties by coordinating and providing training; conducting quality control reviews; assessing the effectiveness of enforcement remedies; serving as a resource to answer questions from staff and responding to complaints from program participants and obligors; distributing work assignments and coordinating coverage of caseloads when staff members are absent.
2. Develop expertise in handling complex cases; provide input to supervisors regarding policies, training procedures, and staff performance evaluations; transmit information between supervisors, attorneys, and staff; and represent the work unit when coordinating casework with other units and the courts.
3. Appear at court hearings under the direction and guidance of Assistant County Attorneys in order to present case facts and recommendations; explain how recommended child support amounts and other case findings were determined; answer questions; attest to the validity of documents presented; and obtain paternity and child support orders.
4. Investigate and file court actions for the purposes of modifications and contempt; prepare written reports, legal documentation, complex affidavits, payment records, and contempt motions under the direction and guidance of Assistant County Attorneys.
5. May perform any or all of the functions required at the Support Enforcement Agent 1 or 2 level, including interviewing parents to obtain information for establishing orders; gathering and evaluating financial data to recommend payment amounts; preparing and processing legal documents; utilizing enforcement remedies to collect child support; loading, updating and retrieving data from computer systems; maintaining case records; and monitoring accounts for compliance.
6. Perform special tasks or projects as assigned.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Education: Associate’s degree OR completion of a relevant post high school business or career program.

Experience: Five years of full-time relevant clerical or client service experience, such as legal services, human services, collections, bank teller, or other financial administrative related positions, of which at least three years of experience must be as a Support Enforcement Agent or equivalent child support or public debt collection experience, with one year of which at the level of Support Enforcement Agent 2 or equivalent. 

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100% 

The examination for Support Enforcement Agent Senior will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating.  The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely.  

Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Criminal Background Checks:  All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

Eligible List:  The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Support Enforcement Agent Senior. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 45 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been certified and their status.

E-Verify Participation:  Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Megan.Simmons@co.ramsey.mn.us