Child Support Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Government Services Center, 500 Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 43:05/26
Department: Human Services
Opening Date: 05/18/2026
Closing Date: 6/2/2026 4:30 PM Central
Description
Otter Tail County is now accepting applications for a full-time Child Support Officer.
The Child Support Officer position, under general supervision, performs child support functions related to magistrate and district court hearings, court referrals and judgment actions, establishes and enforces child support orders for public assistance and non-public assistance clients; determines location of absent parents; interviews parents/adults to establish paternity, explains rights and obligations; works closely with the county attorney, court administrators, local attorneys, other county workers, employers, and a variety of other resource personnel; testifies in court proceedings; and maintains all necessary and legal documentation.
Applications for this position will be accepted until 4:30pm on June 2, 2026.
Examples of Duties

• Initiate action to establish court orders for child support, medical support, and care costs.
• Remain up to date on all changes in child support statues, case laws, policies, and procedures.
• Interpret court orders for enforcement by considering location of parties involved, where original order was entered, availability of enforceable court order, and whether paternity has been established.
• Educate the public about the child support program.
• Collect DNA samples and record genetic test results.
• Gather information, analyze finances, calculate and recommend amount of child support, medical support, and childcare costs according to guidelines for paternity, establishment, modification, motion to set, and contempt in the expedited process or district court.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, and affidavits. E-file documents.
• Draft proposed court orders for approval by County Attorney, Child Support Magistrate and/or District Court Judge. Attend hearings and testify in court proceedings.
• Reviews orders drafted by individual parties and private attorneys to ensure all required elements are included in the order.
• Review judicial orders for accuracy and enters court order in PRISM.
• Refer appropriate cases to the County Attorney with recommendation for legal action on paternity, establishment, modification, and contempt cases.
• Monitor cases and contact absent parents, employers, etc. to resolve delinquent payments and determine further legal action.
• Maintain cases using computer systems including PRISM, MMIS, MAXIS, MEC2, MGA, Odyssey e-filing system, Caseworks, Microsoft Word and electronic mail.
• Maintains a close working relationship with County Attorney, private attorneys, court administration, and other county workers.
• Administrative tasks
  • Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
  • Attend conferences as scheduled or agreed upon with supervisor.
  • Attend trainings as related to job responsibilities.
  • Complete documentation, timesheets, and employee records in a timely manner.
  • Communicate schedule changes with supervisor.
  • Utilize the status (In/Out) Board consistently to keep agency staff aware of availability
  • Utilize Prism as the case management system, including time documentation, case notes, documents and other systems as applicable.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, paralegal, social work, psychology, human services, or business administration or completion of a technical or community college child support AAS or diploma program.

Or

• A high school diploma, or GED

And one of the following:

• Two years of experience working in child support programs and having responsibility for carrying our part of child support collections (i.e. as a Support Enforcement Aide, Collections Officer) or experience in a government agency with responsibility for collection of fees.
• Three years of experience providing clerical or other support services to child support staff, or experience as a legal secretary or paralegal (performing research on cases, gathering necessary documents for trials, preparing documents and pleadings, assisting attorneys in court, etc).
• Four years of experience in collections work in the private sector.

Other requirements:

• Valid Driver's License in the State of Minnesota

Supplemental Information
This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00a -4:30p. The 2026 starting salary for this position is $23.97, depending on qualifications, with career advancement to $38.51.
The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalists will be required to pass a background investigation. A standard 12 month probationary period applies.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, click on desired job title, then the "Apply" link. On-line applications are stored on a secure site. Only you and authorized employees of Otter Tail County have access to the information submitted.
When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.
Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.
Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.
Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.
Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.
Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.
01
The following questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and experience and is used to determine advancement in the hiring process. Be sure that your responses are thorough and complete. If a question asks for education and experience that you have already stated in the employment application, it is still important to answer the question thoroughly on the questionnaire. All responses should be examples of your own writing and will be evaluated for potential AI. If we determine that the responses were created using AI, your application may be deemed ineligible.
02
Based on your understanding of the position description and child support services, describe the profession strengths you bring to this position.
03
Child Support Officers are required to meet strict deadlines. Provide a work-related example of your skill and competency in time management and what time management, organizational tools, and/or resources you utilize in order to adhere to deadlines and manage pressure.
04
There are times when custodial or non-custodial parents may feel frustrated, feel disrespected, have concerns about how their case is being handled and be very upset. How would you respond to/manage this type of situation?
05
What draws you to apply for the child support officer position and why are you the best candidate for this position?
06
Are you bilingual? If you are bilingual, indicate the language(s) you speak and your skill level. Also tell us whether you can speak fluently, read/or write the language(s).
07
Have you included your entire work history on this employment application? Do not mark your application "see resume". Not including your entire work history will render your application incomplete.
08
How did you hear about this job opportunity? Check all that apply.

• Otter Tail County Website
• Minnesota Works Website
• Newspaper
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• Other

Required Question