<p>Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit</p> <p>The Child Support Unit is responsible for locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity and/or support orders and medical orders, enforcing compliance with existing orders and collecting and distribution of child support in IV-D cases.   In addition, the Unit is responsible for taking action for modifications, if appropriate.</p> <p>Primary Purpose of Position</p> <p>The primary purpose of the Interstate Responding Agent is to establish paternity and/or support orders when petitions from other states are received requesting establishment.   This position also enforces orders from other states by registration of foreign orders in North Carolina when the non-custodial parent lives in Nash County.  This position performs investigative work for Child Support enforcement purposes.  The agent is responsible for the enforcement of new paternity and support orders established here or in other states as requested.  The Agent has control and responsibility for the financial management and accounting of these support orders.  This position's responsibilities are very complex in that the agent is responsible for adhering to all states support laws and requirements, not just in North Carolina.  In monitoring cases, the agent investigates what action to take when a court order is in need of modification to meet current guidelines.  Activities that must have the sanction of an Attorney are reviewed by the IV-D Attorney but the Agent is responsible for most of the actual preparation, investigation and negotiation required in each case.  Considerable independent judgment is exercised in applying appropriate rules, regulations and laws to specific cases.</p> <p>Work Schedule</p> <p>This position is full time and the standard work week is 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday (for a total of 40 hours).  Flexibility and/or overtime may be required to meet court schedules and workload demands.  In the event that it becomes necessary to work beyond the regularly scheduled hours, compensatory time is given.</p> <p>Changes in responsibilities or Organizational Relationships</p> <p>The implementation of ACTS (Automated Collection and Tracking System) changed the way the child support program is conducted.  The ACTS system is highly sophisticated and requires that users have an in-depth understanding of the program, system and interstate requirements.  The Interstate Agent must have knowledge of interstate policies, procedures and laws.  The complexity of interstate requirements differs between initiating and responding interstate cases.  ACTS monitors cases for interstate self-assessment requirements for both Initiating and Responding Interstate Agent's positions.  In order to meet self-assessment standards in both the Interstate Initiating and Responding requirements, positions needed to be split between Interstate Initiating and Interstate Responding Agents.  This position is focused on the requirements for Interstate Responding.  </p> <p>Overall responsibility is to establish paternity and/or child support orders based on requests received from other states as petitions requesting establishment of paternity, child support, medical coverage, prior maintenance, redirection of payments, registration of an existing order, income withholding, collection of arrearages and past paid public assistance.  Responding UIFSA cases are ones in which the child(ren) and custodial parent lives in another state and the non-custodial parent resides in North Carolina.  These cases are referred to this agent by the State Child Support Office in Raleigh if the non-custodial parent lives in Nash County or a Nash County court order already exists.   </p> <p>ESSENTIAL DUTIES INTAKE</p> <p>Build case or update and assess information to ensure ACTS opens case at the appropriate service level.</p> <p>Interview and advise the non-custodial parent regarding his/her responsibility for dependent children.</p> <p>Agent must make appropriate verifications and gather updated information that would affect child support guidelines, worksheets and other provisions of a court order.</p> <p>Agent may be able to settle matters by consent of all parties.  If not, the agent may need to initiate legal action of a court hearing.  Agent would generate appropriate legal pleadings, gather evidence and subpoena all witnesses as needed.</p> <p>The agent must explain to the non-custodial parent the laws and procedures regarding paternity and child support establishment, medical insurance for dependent children and the various remedies available through voluntary agreements and court actions. </p> <p>LOCATION</p> <p>The agent must investigate the location and employment of the non-custodial parent using all available sources.</p> <p>ACTS has numerous automatic interfaces and generates daily work lists regarding any information found.</p> <p>Agent must analyze the information and determine which of several steps to follow.</p> <p>Agent must assess the case and make appropriate referrals to the State and Federal location resources.</p> <p>ESTABLISH PATERNITY</p> <p>The agent must review the case to see if paternity is at issue in the case.  If so, the agent must investigate the most appropriate means to establish paternity.   This could be done voluntarily or may require genetic tests and/or court action.  The agent generates the appropriate forms from ACTS and reviews for completeness and accuracy.  The agent must obtain signatures from the client, non-custodial parent and notary.   If paternity is to be established by a court order and the agent refers the order to the IV-D Attorney to review and then refers it for a Judge's signature.  It is the agent's responsibility to see that the order is properly filed with the Clerk of Court's office.  </p> <p>Interview and advise the non-custodial parent regarding responsibility for dependent child.</p> <p>Assess individual cases and determine appropriate action to establish paternity within state and federal mandated time frames.</p> <p>Schedule appointments for interviews, genetic testing and court dates when appropriate.  </p> <p>When the non-custodial parent voluntarily admits paternity, the agent must see that the necessary legal documents (Affidavit of Parentage) are prepared and completed through ACTS.</p> <p>If the non-custodial parent requests genetic testing, the agent arranges the testing and prepares the appropriate paperwork for the testing.</p> <p>If the non-custodial parent does not keep the appointment or fails to agree to any of the terms of the voluntary process for paternity, the agent must proceed with appropriate litigation.</p> <p>The agent must be aware of interstate policies and procedures in regards to genetic testing and coordinate the test with the other state to the extent possible.</p> <p>The agent also corresponds with the other state involved in the interstate case and must keep them advised of the progress of the case when we are responding.  </p> <p> </p> <p>ESTABLISH SUPPORT</p> <p>The interstate agent schedules interviews with the non-custodial parent to determine income, expenses, medical insurance availability and responsibility for other children.  </p> <p>The agent must verify income and expenses of all parties involved prior to completing the child support worksheet.</p> <p>Agent prepares legal documents, provides in-depth case investigation including documentation of past paid public assistance, employment verification, calculation of support guideline worksheet, determination of prior maintenance and availability of medical insurance.</p> <p>The agent must utilize the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines to determine the support amount.</p> <p>If the non-custodial parent agrees to the support amount, the agent will proceed with the completion of the Voluntary Support Agreement (VSA).  It is the agent's responsibility to see that the VSA is signed by the non-custodial, notary, IV-D Attorney and a Judge and properly filed with the Clerk of Court's office.  </p> <p>If the non-custodial parent does not keep the appointment or fails to agree to any terms of the voluntary process for child support then the agent must proceed with court action by filing the UIFSA Petition or registration with the Nash County Clerk of Court's Office and having the non-custodial parent properly served.  </p> <p>The agent will assist the IV-D Attorney with the preparation of the cases for court and may be required to testify in the hearing.   </p> <p>Once support is established, the agent must implement income withholding through the non-custodial parent's source of income.</p> <p>The agent must contact and coordinate with the non-custodial parent's employer's plan administrator to obtain a valid medical support order or a Qualified Medical Support Order to ensure the dependent child/children have medical coverage.</p> <p>The agent must verify that medical insurance has been obtained through the employer.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Enforcement</p> <p>This agent is responsible for enforcing Orders based on Interstate Responding UIFSA requests received for establishment or registration of foreign order for enforcement and/or modification.    </p> <p>If the non-custodial parent wishes to contest the incoming registration, the agent must initiate a court hearing for registering the foreign support order to be contested and take appropriate actions to prepare case for court hearing.</p> <p>The system generates work list items to flag delinquent cases. The agent also receives a monthly delinquency report to help identify cases needing enforcement.  The agent must monitor the terms of the court order (monetary payments, medical coverage requirements, etc) through reviewing ACTS (N.C.'s Automated Child Support System) </p> <p>Identify cases in delinquency status and determine appropriate enforcement actions.</p> <p>Consideration for making the determination includes but is not limited to: </p> <p>Provisions of court orders in the case, payments history, locate information, program requirements, amount of arrearages, earned and unearned income, real or personal property holdings, pending insurance settlements.</p> <p>After appropriate enforcement tools are determined, proceed with one or more of the following actions:</p> <p>a). INCOME WITHHOLDING-Agents have the legal authority to administratively withhold child support from earned and unearned income. This includes responsibility to establish, increase and transfer the withholding to other employers or sources of income.</p> <p>b). SHOW CAUSE FOR CONTEMPT HEARING- The agent is responsible for updating information in ACTS to ensure that legal documents are properly generated. The agent reviews and corrects the documents which are properly signed and are then forwarded to the Clerk of Court. The hearing must be scheduled and the information regarding service process and hearing must properly be entered into the ACTS system.</p> <p>c). REVOCATION OF OCCUPATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS OR WILDLIFE LICENSE- The agent is responsible for notifying the non-custodial parent (AP) that his/her license may be suspended or revoked. A re-payment plan may be negotiated between the agent and the non-custodial parent. If an agreement is not negotiated or the AP does not comply with the plan, the agent notices the non-custodial parent and the appropriate licensing board to suspend or revoke the license.</p> <p>d). REVOCATION, SUSPENSION AND BLOCKAGE OF DRIVERS LICENSE AND VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS- Prior to court hearings agents must verify through DMV willful contempt and a 90 day delinquency , the Judge may order revocation or suspension of the drivers license and the agent is to obtain and destroy the licenses. The agent follows up by directly updating the Department of Motor Vehicle's Mainframe system and ACTS, and ensures appropriate court orders are executed.</p> <p>e). NOTICE TO CREDIT BUREAUS AND INTERCEPTION OF FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX REFUNDS- Agent is responsible for the accuracy of arrears provided to the credit bureaus and the State and Federal agencies. The non-custodial parent may appeal the submission of the information reported to the credit bureau and may also appeal the interception of state and federal income tax refunds. If there is an appeal, the agent verifies the arrears, case information and events prior to the hearing. The agent attends the hearing and provides legal documentation and testifies before the hearing officer.</p> <p>f). MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN- Most orders require the non-custodial parent to provide medical insurance availability through employment. The agent must verify that the AP has the coverage for the child/children. If not, the agent assesses the order, the insurance availability and the administrator of the insurance then determine whether to notify the employer directly to begin the insurance coverage or whether to issue a Show Cause for Medical Contempt on the AP.</p> <p>g). PROPERTY LIENS AND INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS LIENS- The agent may determine that obtaining a lien is an appropriate procedure. After procurement of the lien, assets must be seized. This is a complicated process. The agent must coordinate with the sheriff's office and any other agencies that may be involved.</p> <p>h). BOND OR SECURITY- Requiring and non-custodial parent to post bond or security may provide some form of guarantee that a non-custodial parent meets the child support obligation. The agent must have an understanding of these provisions to monitor and interpret affected court orders and know when they may be and appropriate tool.</p> <p>i). ENFORCEMENT DURING BANKRUPTCY- All enforcement procedures must be considered with respect to other laws if the non-custodial parent is in the process of filing bankruptcy.</p> <p>COURT ACTIVITY</p> <p>Court preparation of cases for establishment, modification, contestation of registrations and/or enforcement including court fact sheets, issuance of subpoenas and other evidence required for hearings.  Includes last minute updates on the arrearages and the payments received.</p> <p>Review each court case with IV-D Attorney prior to the court date.</p> <p>Assist IV-D Attorney in presentation of cases in the courtroom</p> <p>Testify in court when it is required on a case.</p> <p>Negotiate with the non-custodial parent and/or their attorney.</p> <p>Make accurate notes of orders and information needed from court docket maintenance.</p> <p>Remain conscious of client's requests, county/state interest and priorities. As issues arise, ensure these considerations are addressed by the attorney and the court.</p> <p>FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT</p> <p>Control and responsibility for the financial management and accounting of the child support orders.</p> <p>Entry of financial terms of initial court orders and modifications subsequent to the issuance of the original order</p> <p>Analysis, reconciliation and reviews of financial history in cases which may result in complex adjustments</p> <p>Certification of arrears for court</p> <ul> <li>obligor, obligee or other agencies upon request. </li></ul> <p>Monitor and reconcile accounts and subaccounts in ACTS to ensure the distribution to the appropriate party, accounts include but are not limited to non-public assistance clients, other state agencies, and/or reimbursement to the Department of Social Services for Unreimbursed Public Assistance (URPA)</p> <p>Undistributed Receipts Report must be assessed and appropriate actions must be initiated promptly for moneys to distribute.</p> <p>CASE MAINTENANCE</p> <p>Document ACTS regarding all activities taken on a case.</p> <p>Update ACTS with any changes, such as employer, addresses, name, etc</p> <p>ACTS has numerous automatic interfaces and generates daily work lists regarding information found.  The agent must investigate this information for correctness, analyze the information and determine what steps need to be taken regarding the information received.  The appropriate action will range from routine to extremely complex, challenging circumstances which may affect multiple cases and require court action or require complex financial adjustments.</p> <p>CUSTOMER SERVICE</p> <p>Agent communicates routinely with other states, non-custodial parents and employers about the child support process.</p> <p>Agent must have thorough knowledge of all aspects of services and be able to explain the distribution of collections to clientele.</p> <p>Agent works closely with Sheriff's Offices for service of process.</p> <p>Agent works closely with Clerk of Court personnel.</p> <p>Agent must have excellent communications skills to listen and converse with people of diverse backgrounds</p> <p>Agent must maintain a professional relationship with local resources such as employers, Postal Services, Employment Security Commission, Social Security Administration and Probation/Parole to ensure cooperation.</p> <p>Courtesy, tact and firmness are required in dealing with clients, non-custodial parents, Offices of Clerk of Court, Magistrates, Sheriffs, Judges and other entities.</p> <p>AMENDMENTS OF COURT ORDERS</p> <p>Upon receiving certain information or at non-custodial parent's request, the agent must proceed to review case and determine if circumstances should be investigated for possible change in the court order amount or other provisions.  </p> <p>Agent must possess knowledge and legal expertise to take appropriate actions.</p> <p>Agent must make appropriate verifications and gather updated information that would affect child support guideline worksheets and other provisions of a court order.</p> <p>Agent may be able to settle matters by consent of all parties, if not the agent will need to initiate legal action for a court hearing.  Agent generates appropriate legal pleadings, gather evidence and subpoena witnesses.</p> <p>In some instances a partial UIFSA petition may be required.  This agent must possess knowledge and legal expertise to take appropriate action whether initiating or responding to any of these motions.</p> <p>OTHER</p> <p>This employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks.</p> <p>Performs other reasonable tasks requested by his/her supervisor.</p> <p>III.   OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:</p> <p>Accuracy Required in Work:</p> <p>The legal actions, court related duties and financial case management require the highest degree of accuracy from Child Support Agents.  It is absolutely essential that cases are processed accurately, court orders interpreted correctly and exact information must be entered in appropriate fields of ACTS.  An in-depth understanding of the complex ACTS system is required to ensure that correct information goes in and out of the system.</p> <p>Consequences of Error:</p> <p>Inaccurate evidence presented to the court could cause the Judge to the rule against the agency and our client.  It is vital that all sources of information are checked for accuracy and that all information is verified before it is submitted as evidence in court.   Inaccurate information could subject the individual or Agency to a lawsuit.  The Unit's credibility with the Court could be affected if we develop a reputation of making errors.  </p> <p>Instructions Provided to Employee:</p> <p>The worker is trained in policy and procedures related to the Child Support Program.   Instruction is given in relation to the ACTS system.  The agents have the on-line manual available through the ACTS system, with access to Help Messages and the ACTS Help Desk.  Verbal and written instructions are provided by the Supervisors.  Other sources include the Regional Consultant, IV-D Attorney and training by the Central Office.  A high degree of independent decision making is necessary for the employee to manage a caseload. </p> <p>Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:</p> <p>North Carolina Child Support Manual, available on-line through the ACTS system</p> <p>North Carolina General Statutes</p> <p>IV-D Attorney</p> <p>Written instructions from the Supervisors</p> <p>Agency Personnel Handbook</p> <p>Supervision Received by the Employee:</p> <p>Worker is expected to function independently in management of caseload once they are trained.   Staff meetings are held to inform workers in changes in program policy and changes to the ACTS system.   Individual conferences are held along with yearly evaluations.  When questions arise regarding problem cases, the worker reports to the supervisor for possible solutions.</p> <p>Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts:</p> <p>The agent interacts with custodial and non-custodial parents in order to perform the job duties.   The agent also has contact with court personnel, attorneys, and sheriff's departments.  There is also contact with employers, insurance companies, Social Security Administration, Housing Authority, and other county, state and federal agencies.  During each communication, the agent must be professional to maintain the integrity of the program and represent the Agency.  The agent must ensure that the county and state's interest and priorities are properly represented.  </p> <p>Physical Effort:</p> <p>Ability to be mobile to attend court and to carry records, documents and supplies needed for court.  Must have ability to gather and organize information by computer, telephone and mail necessary to process casework.</p> <p>Work Environment and Conditions:</p> <p>Work is performed in a county social services agency located in the County Administration Building.   Staff has private offices to maintain case confidentiality.  Each work station has a desk top printer.  As child support is often an emotionally distressing issue, considerable anger is demonstrated often through verbal communication and can be demonstrated physically.  The local police department and sheriff's department are located in close proximity to the County Administration Bu9ilding and can be easily contacted.  </p> <p>Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used:</p> <p>Personal computer, calculator, copier, printer, telephone and paper shredder</p> <p>Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills:</p> <p>High level is required in all areas.</p> <p>Safety for Others:</p> <p>Agents must be able to skillfully control interviews and be able to diffuse potential volatile situations.  This will prevent office personnel from being exposed to possible violent attacks.  Staff has been instructed to call the Police Department if a situation seems to be developing that could endanger staff.   Clients and children may be subjected to domestic violence as a result of legal actions taken by the Unit.   Staff must be alert to refer clients to the Court System and/or the Eligibility Unit if they want to claim 'Good Cause' for not cooperating with the Child Support Unit.</p> <p>Dynamics of Work:</p> <p>Processing cases within the timeframes and keeping up with the constantly changing State and Federal regulations as well as continual changes in the ACTS system and its interfaces.</p> <p>Thorough knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement Program and applicable legal procedures:   Considerable ability to interview clients, non-custodial parents and related sources and to investigate cases; considerable ability to organize, analyze and summarize case information; intermediate math skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and non-custodial parents, location sources, offices of the Clerks of Court, Judges, private attorneys, Sheriffs and other court officials.</p> <p>Graduation from high school and three years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.</p> <p>Or</p> <p> An associate degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement or closely related degree and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.</p> <p>Or</p> <p>A four-year degree and six months experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary or legal work that provides knowledges, skills and abilities needed to perform the work.</p> <p>Or</p> <p>An equivalent combination of education and experience.</p>