Child Support Lead (1 position)

Shape the future of human services in Steele County. We are seeking individuals who want to be on a high-performing team, foster a healthy and inclusive work culture, and implement innovative systems that deliver services with accountability, dignity, and measurable impact.

About Steele County Human Services

The Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie) is a collaborative human services agency formed in 2014 by Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties to deliver essential services through a shared structure. Steele County has made the decision to transition out of the collaborative and establish an independent county human services department. Planning and activities for this separation are underway, with the new department scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027. This change reflects Steele County's commitment to local service delivery and meeting the unique needs of its residents. Our intention is to build our team and have the new members join us towards the end of 2026 or early January 2027!

Job Title: Child Support Lead

Department: Human Services

Immediate Supervisor: Eligibility & Enrollment Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Union: AFSCME

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Eligibility & Enrollment Supervisor, the Child Support Lead is responsible for performing administrative duties, overseeing child support staff, training and continued mentoring of staff, assisting the supervisor with delegation of work duties, providing consultation and support, resolving work related issues, and related work as assigned. The Child Support Lead serves as a backup contact person for all child support areas of work. Complete all regular duties of the Child Support Officer position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and provides guidance to child support officers and case aides.

• In coordination with the supervisor will delegate, assign and monitor workflow and work priorities to assure smooth operation of the team.

• Trains and mentors newly hired staff on policies, procedures and caseload duties.

• Identifies training needs and ensures staff complete minimum mandatory training programs.

• Provides insight to supervisor for performance evaluations of staff.

• Delegates, assigns and monitors workflow and work priorities to assure smooth operation of the team.

• Performs quality assurance reviews of workflows and audits case files as necessary.

• Reviews, assigns and monitors cases for all types of legal actions. Including reviewing legal documents for accuracy prior to being sent to the county attorney's office.

• Serves legal documents upon parties according to MN law.

• Consults with supervisor on special or unusual cases and recommend actions.

• Reviews and recommends new ideas, forms, policies and procedures for the team.

• Represents the Child Support team when coordinating and resolving issues by communicating and collaborating with other governmental agencies, community partners, court systems, etc

• Collects child support payments and arrearages by enforcement remedies like garnishment of wages, submitting affidavits to insurance companies and attorneys for settlement, seizes assets, levies bank accounts, or processing judgements with the court.

• Communicates with all parties including judicial, legal and government workers, family members, employers and custodial and non-custodial parents to gain information and facilitate case management and completion of documentation.

• Testifies in court on behalf of agency or client, prepares court documents, provides financial and current case status information.

• Consults with supervisor on special or unusual cases and recommends actions to be taken.

• Performs all duties of the Child Support Officer.

• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

• Keeps abreast of changing legislation, trends, policies, and developments in areas of responsibility.

• Attends various state, regional and local training sessions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree with coursework in paralegal, business, public administration, behavioral or social science or related field and two to four years of experience working with at-risk populations OR High School Diploma or GED Equivalence and three years or more as Child Support Officer.
• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to pass a background check

Essential Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of laws, rules, and guidelines pertaining to child support programs, enforcement and functions.
• Knowledge of debt collection processes and laws.
• Data privacy laws, statutes, requirements and department policies and procedures.
• Comprehensive understanding of court procedures, legal terminology, legal processes, basic rules of evidence, and legal forms related to child support including the expedited process forum.
• Knowledge of paternity laws, child support laws, statues and regulations.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence, court procedures, and the court system.
• Knowledge of community resources and human behavior.
• Fundamentals of computer operation and computer applications and programs utilized by the department.
• Skilled at creating and maintain records, reports and files pertaining to child support and legal research.
• Knowledge of state and federal public assistance programs, rules and laws.

Essential Skills

• Oral and written communications including interviewing techniques.
• Performing basic math and financial calculations.
• Skilled in assigning, directing and inspecting the work of staff.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other county personnel, clients, employers, attorneys and court personnel.
• Learning, interpreting and applying regulations, laws, rules, statutes and/or policies relevant to child support activities and actions, appropriately.
• Applying judgment and discretion in dealing with at times angry, confrontational, hostile or uncooperative individuals.
• Performing case management activities with an emphasis to detail, precision and accuracy.
• Processing a large volume of work quickly and accurately.
• Documenting, preparing and maintaining child support case files, records, forms, etc.
• Utilizing case management and records management software to document case information, actions, contacts, orders, collections, etc.
• Organizing, tracking and monitoring case activities and actions in accordance with the applicable policies, procedures, guidelines or orders.
• Initiating and preparing legal documents and court actions in accordance with child support guidelines, procedures and requirements.
• Handling and negotiating settlements in accordance with guidelines and statutes.
• Skilled in assigning, directing and inspecting the work of others.
• Ability to work with a variety of people who may have various mental, socio-economic and risk levels.

Physical Job Requirements (Percentage of Time)

Category: Light work

Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects in the performance of the job.

• Stand: occasionally (1-33%)
• Walk: occasionally (1-33%)
• Sit: frequently (34-66%)
• Use of hands: frequently (34-66%)
• Reach with hands & arms: occasionally (1-33%)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl: occasionally (1-33%)
• Talk or hear: continuously (66-100%)
• Taste or smell: never
• Lift & carry: up to 10 pounds frequently (34-66%), up to 25 pounds occasionally (1-33%)

Working Conditions

Employee works primarily in an indoor office setting and is exposed to minimal adverse or hazardous physical conditions. Employees are exposed to some disagreeable, hostile, uncooperative and/or angry clients or members of the public that can make the job less than desirable. Potential hazards and risks can be minimized through departmental procedures, training, and general county risk management techniques employed by the County.

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

First review of applications set to occur on Thursday, October 8th, 2026. We will continue to review applications as we receive them.

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Benefit & Pension Eligible

Steele County will contribute to HSA/VEBA $1,700 for single or $3,500 for family (if you elect to pay for our Medical insurance that is provided by Medica); other benefits that are available include dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability insurance, deferred compensation plan, pension plan, employee assistance program, paid time off, etc.

Cost of living adjustment and pay increases per union contract.

EOE