Job Description

Are you interested in mission-driven work? Do you enjoy helping others? Join the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division (CSD) in our mission to encourage responsible parenting by promoting the involvement of both parents and ensuring children 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.

Employees of the OAG 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. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large 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 Texas Child Support Enforcement System (TXCSES), 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 TXCSES

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 complaints

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



Qualifications:

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

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 workspace 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 5%

Ability to type 35 words per minute (Typing test required at time of interview)

Child Support Officer (CSO) III: All of 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