OAG - Child Support | Child Support Officer II-III | 26-0377

Are you interested in mission-driven work? Do you enjoy helping others? Join the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Child Support Division (CSD) in our mission to encourage responsible parenting by promoting the involvement of both parents in their children’s lives and ensuring that children in Texas receive the support they need and deserve.  

Child Support Officers (CSOs) conduct detailed investigations to locate absent parents; assist in establishing paternity; obtaining court orders for financial support and health care coverage for children; enforcing child support orders; responding to customer inquiries; promoting the involvement of both parents in their children’s lives; and collaborating with state agencies and community organizations to serve Texas families. CSOs gain valuable investigative and legal experience and are part of a collegial team dedicated to supporting Texas children and families.  CSOs experience the challenge and honor of public service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance; developing hands-on experience; and engaging camaraderie with their colleagues across the state.

The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas.  As the State’s law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law.  OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. 

Takes the appropriate case action to locate absent parents, establish paternity for children born out-of-wedlock, establish or enforce child/medical support obligation, or initiate case closure: 
•    Conducts detailed in-office investigations to locate parties, verify employment and determine assets
•    Prepares documents relating to legal and administrative actions to establish or enforce child support orders
•    Negotiates lump sum payments from noncustodial parents who owe past due child/medical support
•    Negotiates out-of-court settlements and agreements with parties 
•    Monitors child support cases and refers delinquent cases for the appropriate enforcement action(s) 
•    Documents all case actions taken using the appropriate agency tools, including but not limited to the Children Are My Priority system (ChAMP), case/court documents
•    Reviews and maintains child support virtual files for accuracy in the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) repository
•    Reviews cases to determine if the cases are eligible for closure
•    Attends court to assist legal staff, as needed
Researches case information on the computer, including in the ChAMP system
Maintains current knowledge of child support policies and procedures, Texas Family Law, federal regulations, and other states’ IV-D regulations
Assesses child support cases to determine the appropriate case action
Explains Child Support Program policies, procedures, and regulations to customers
Responds to customer inquiries and resolves complaints concerning case status
Assesses the validity of complaints against the IV-D program with impartiality
Serves as Notary Public
Performs related work as assigned
Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity

 

Child Support Officer (CSO) II:
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: full-time Child Support Program, credit collections, investigations, legal assistant, legal secretary, customer service, or IV-A eligibility specialist
Knowledge of Investigative practices and techniques
Skill in interviewing and negotiating
Skill in using a personal computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
Skill in basic mathematical computations
Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
Skill in effective oral and written communication
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)
Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 15%
Ability to type 35 words per minute (Typing test required at time of interview)
Child support Officer (CSO) III: All the above minimum qualifications for a CSO II, PLUS: 
Experience: One (1) year of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: full-time Child Support Program, credit collections, investigations, legal assistant, legal secretary, customer service, or IV-A eligibility specialist
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
Knowledge: Investigative practices and techniques
Other Language: Ability to proficiently read, write, and speak Spanish

To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit.  A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at  https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_SocialServices.pdf

THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER