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.
Performs routine child support work. Work involves conducting detailed investigations to locate absent parents, establishing paternity, enforcing court orders for child support and /or responding to customer inquiries.
OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic 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 (CSO II only)
- 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