Child Support Specialist I​/II

Level I: $1,720.44 - $2,091.20

Level II: $1,852.73 - $2,252.01

This is a Merit System Services classification. To apply and for more information regarding the current qualifications please review MSS Class Specs at CalHR visit

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; arranges for support payments when possible; prepares cases for court hearings as necessary; and performs related work as required.

Working under close supervision, Child Support Specialist I is the entry/trainee level in the Child Support Specialist series. Employees in this class receive in-service training, and are given detailed instructions in the performance of duties related to child support laws, regulations, and a broad range of child support casework activities. As requisite skills and knowledge are developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility are exercised.

Employees are expected to promote to Child Support Specialist II after one year of satisfactory performance at the entry/trainee level.

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Manages a general caseload consisting 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 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 Documents and updates customer information, contact information, case actions/history logs, and records using a state-wide 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.

This is a Merit System Services classification. The current minimum qualifications can be viewed by visiting the Merit System Services program webpage at CalHR.

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 in order to meet the above requirements. When combining education and experience; fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two (22) quarter units equals six months of experience.

A valid California Driver’s license is required.

• 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.
• Structure and content of the English language.
• Basic mathematics and business arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, and decimals.

• 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…