DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs investigative work related to nonpayment or establishment of child support services cases within the jurisdiction of the Department of Child Support Services, serves process and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISING CHARACTERISTICS

Child Support Investigator I is the entry level and trainee class. Work is of moderate difficulty and is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures under supervision. As incumbents gain experience, they receive more complex assignments with less supervision. Trainees are eligible for promotion to Child Support Investigator II usually after two years.

Child Support Investigator II is the journey level class. Incumbents perform the skilled investigative work in all cases including the more serious cases, the sensitive cases involving public office, and the full range of cases in the Department of Child Support Services. Incumbents may provide initial training and guidance to Child Support Investigator Is.

TYPICAL TASKS

Incumbent conducts office and field investigations into the location and financial situation of noncustodial parents; locates and interviews persons, takes statements and evaluates information including, but not limited to, skip tracing, accessing related computer data, public records, credit bureaus, and banking records; assists child support attorneys and child support staff in preparation of cases; files complaints, appears in court or at administrative hearings to testify as a witness; prepares detailed reports including synopsis of facts, dates, names, places, findings, statements of witnesses, victims and suspects and listing of evidence; establishes working relations with the community and other governmental agencies which interface with the Child Support Services Department; prepares and serves civil papers and subpoenas, prepares affidavits related to service of civil papers.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Child Support Investigator I

Working knowledge of:

• Modern procedures and methods employed in investigations;

•  Procedures and methods of investigative techniques of investigation related to establishing location and financial information relevant to child support; and

•  Rules of evidence and court procedures.

• Laws related to Child Support Services
• Sources of information used in locating persons and financial information;
• Sources of information used in locating persons;
• Federal, State, local laws rules and regulations concerning the establishment and enforcement of child support orders; and
• Basic arithmetic and financial recordkeeping.

Child Support Investigator II

Working knowledge of:

• Modern procedures and methods employed in investigations;
• Procedures and methods of investigative techniques of investigation related to establishing location and financial information relevant to child support; 
• Rules of evidence and court procedures;
• Laws related to Child Support Services;
• Sources of information used in locating persons and financial information;
• Sources of information used in locating persons;
• Federal, State, local laws rules and regulations concerning the establishment and enforcement of child support orders; 
• Basic arithmetic and financial recordkeeping; and
• The basics of supervision and training.

Ability to:

Abilities required of all positions, Level I as entry and Level II as journey:

• Interpret and apply provision of laws applicable to investigations;
• Obtain information and evidence by observation and interview which would be legally admissible in court;
• Analyze and evaluate statements of witnesses or noncustodial parents;
• Speak and write effectively
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Maintain effective working relationships;
• Analyze and summarize data;
• Conduct effective interviews;
• Perform basic arithmetic;
• Elicit information from uncooperative and/or hostile individuals;
• Communicate with and explain technical information to people from a wide range of educational, cultural and financial backgrounds;
• Operate a personal computer; and
• Lift 50 pounds from floor level, such as boxes containing evidence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide he required knowledge and abilities is qualifying unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and ability would be:

Child Support Investigator I: 

Two years of college course work in accounting, law, systems analysis or related field and two years of experience in law enforcement or investigative work. Substitutions: Additional experience may be substituted for college coursework on a year-for-year basis, or one year of additional coursework may be substituted for one year of experience

OR

possession of a Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business Administration or Administration of Justice.

Child Support Investigator II: 

Two years of experience equivalent to a Child Support Investigator I, investigative experience involved in skip tracing, asset search investigation with the County of Santa Cruz or related public agency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

• License/Certificate Requirement: Possession of a valid California class C drivers license.
• Fingerprint/Background Investigation: Ability to pass a back ground investigation. 
• Fingerprinting required.
• Physically and mentally capable of performing the position's essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks.

Special Working Conditions: Possibility of exposure to bodily injury; heights, such as roofs of buildings; areas containing free silica or asbestos dust; toxic fumes; offensive odors; explosives; electrical hazards; infections which may cause chronic disease or death; hostile and/or combative persons.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays and on an emergency, as-needed basis.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None.

Bargaining Unit: 41 EEOC Job Category: 04
Occupational Grouping: 62 Workers Comp Code: 1073