07/31/2008 48883

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional and administrative work directing the statewide Child Support Enforcement [Title IV-D] Program activities in the Department of Public Welfare.

The employee in this job is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the comprehensive Child Support Enforcement Program as mandated by P.L. 93-647 Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Work involves enforcing the provisions of the Federal Child Support Law, the Pennsylvania Civil Procedural Support Law and the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. Work also involves reviewing, analyzing and interpreting Federal and state laws, court decisions, and Departmental policies and procedures as they relate to child support claims. Work includes establishing policies and procedures governing child support claims. Work includes establishing policies and procedures governing child support efforts and providing technical assistance and guidance to child support program and field staff, other program administrators, attorneys and governmental officials relative to locating absent parents, establishing paternity and obtaining child support. Work also includes developing, designing, and implementing outcomes-based working relationships with government departments and agencies and private insurers, banks, and employers to obtain reliable child support and related medical and economic resources for families. Supervision is exercised over a professional, technical, and clerical staff. Work is performed with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, and is reviewed by the Deputy Secretary for Income Maintenance through reports, conferences and evaluation of program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the statewide Child Support Enforcement Program activities to achieve overall agency program goals and to assure compliance with Federal and state laws and regulations.

Reviews, analyzes and interprets Federal and state regulations, court decisions, policies and procedures with regard to the provisions of the Support Law, Titles IV [A, D and E] and XIX of the Social Security Act as they relate to child support claims.

Negotiates, develops, amends and enters into contractual agreements with county commissioners, local courts of Common Pleas, District Attorneys and Domestic Relations Sections to administer the Child Support Enforcement Program to deter dependency on public assistance programs and to recover child support costs from legally responsible parents of children receiving benefits under the Aid to Families with Dependent Child [AFDC] programs.

Provides guidance and technical assistance to program and field staff on difficult child support cases or complex legal matters.

Establishes and implements policies and procedures for the implementation of Child Support Enforcement Program services and recommends needed legislation or amendments to existing legislation.

Directs and coordinates the parent locator and central registry service, the Internal Revenue Service refund intercept program and the Unemployment Insurance intercept program in conjunction with other governmental agencies.

Directs the preparation, review and analysis of Federal financial, statistical and other reports.

Interprets the Child Support Enforcement Program to and develops cooperative working arrangements with District Attorneys, County Domestic Relations Sections, courts and other governmental and business officials.

Supervises a professional, technical and clerical staff.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of policy development, program planning, organization, budgeting and direction including systems application for automation of Title IV-D program services.

Knowledge of Federal and state legislation, policies and regulations governing child support program services.

Knowledge of the functions and organization of the various courts and the minor judiciary impacting upon Department programs.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

Ability to review, analyze and interpret Federal and state laws, court decisions, and Departmental policies and procedures with regard to the provisions of the support laws, the Public Welfare Code, and Titles IV [A, D and E] and XIX of the Social Security Act as they relate to child support.

Ability to analyze operational needs and budgetary requirements, and to recommend and develop policies and operational and monitoring procedures for improved program service.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to write narrative and technical Federal, financial and statistical reports, correspondence and letters relating to Child Support Enforcement Program activities.

Ability to read and interpret child support data and make recommendations.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Seven years of professional human or social services work experience that involved contact with the courts and minor judicare, including four years of administrative, managerial or supervisory work and a bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Pre-Law, Public Administration, Economics or a related field;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.