Child Support Officer (2 positions)

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 Officer

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 Officer is responsible for providing paralegal and non-legal functions related to the establishment and enforcement of child support orders. Duties of the job include such responsibilities as interviewing mothers and alleged fathers; locating absent parents; establishing paternity of children and establishing, modifying and enforcing court orders for child support, child care and/or medical support in an expedited child support process or through judicial court system; collecting and disbursing payments; and maintaining case management records and files.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prioritizes and performs caseload and case management duties in accordance with established deadlines, policies and procedures by federal and state law and the MN Department of Human Services pertaining to the expedited process for obtaining consistent financial support for children.

• Compiles, collects, meets with and confers with interested parties (e.g. custodial and non-custodial parents, children, attorneys, judges, other state and/or county staff, employers, family members, etc.) to assemble and document relevant case information, case management data, and to complete necessary documents/forms.

• Retrieves, enters, updates and changes case information to maintain, correct, change or monitor case status and progress of enforcement activities/actions utilizing various specialized applications, databases, or paper documents.

• Implements program changes as mandated by federal, state law and/or MN Department of Human Services.

• Researches and prepares legal documents for the review, approval and/or signature of the County Attorney in the process of obtaining adjudication or paternity or establishing, modifying and/or enforcing an order for child support.

• Prepares pleadings such as summons and complaints, motions, notices of hearing and stipulations, supporting affidavits including Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, financial statements, tax statements, employer verification forms, amount of public assistance expended and pay histories, current order orders and legal documents, etc.

• Serves legal documents upon parties according to MN law.

• Testifies in court and court hearings regarding the factual basis for legal documents submitted before the court and other relevant factors pertaining to individual cases. Appears at Expedited Court hearings for county-initiated motions and pro se matters. Initiates and prepares the legal documents for contempt actions. Attends and testifies at Order to Show Cause hearings for non-pay obligors. Creates Default Child Support Orders for signature by Child Support Magistrate in uncontested child support legal matters and negotiates out-of-court child support settlements or stipulations for approval.

• Collaborates and works closely with the county attorney, judges, court administrators, local attorneys, other states, tribes, other counties, eligibility staff and social service staff, employers, and a variety of other resource personnel in establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing court orders. Petitions and/or responds to other entities in accordance with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. Registers out-of-state orders with court administration for enforcement and/or modification.

• Provides information and explains child support procedures, policies, rules etc. to educate and better assists clients. Makes referrals to other community services or agencies ( e.g. social services, job services, legal services, etc.) regarding issues pertaining to assistance, legal aid, custody, parenting, or other related issues.

• Locates absent parents through investigative efforts and cooperation with law enforcement, governmental agencies, internet, intergovernmental website portal, families and friends and employers. Accesses MN Driver Vehicle Services and Odyssey court document management system for current addresses and other information available within the State databases.

• Collects child support payments and outstanding arrearages through enforcement methods provided by law.

• Provides employers with Income Withholding Orders for the garnishment of wages or bonuses.

• Submits lump sum affidavits to insurance companies and attorneys for settlements.

• Seizes assets, levies bank accounts.

• Enters docket judgments with court administration.

• 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

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalence
• Minimum of 3 years relatable human service experience in the area of child support, enforcement, public assistance or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to pass a background check

Essential Knowledge

• Basic 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.
• Basic 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 community resources and human behavior.
• Fundamentals of computer operation and computer applications and programs utilized by the department.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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