An employee in this class is involved in gathering and verifying information through in-office investigative techniques for the Bureau of Child Support Services. The work involves responsibility for collection, review and verification of information from custodial parents or referrals from social services staff, so that paternity and /or child support petitions can be filed.

This classification is distinguished from Income Maintenance series in that there is no responsibility for client intake, determining program eligibility or developing or modifying budgets, however, cases may be referred from these sources when verification of facts relating to eligibility is needed or there is an absent parent factor in the case. This classification is also distinguished from Social Services Investigators in that there is no responsibility for field visits or field investigations.

The Social Services Examiner I performs entry-level work in examining and verifying facts and developing case-related information. Work involves telephoning, correspondence, checking of records, desk interviews with clients or others, and preparation of required forms and records. An employee in this class works with all types of assistance cases and work is performed in accordance with established guidelines and procedures. The work is performed under supervision of a Support Enforcement Supervisor or a Senior Support Enforcement Officer with work reviewed through observation, conference and computer generated reports. Completed work is reviewed for accuracy and completeness, follow-through on procedures and the appropriateness of decisions and recommendations made on each case. There is no supervision exercised by this class. Incumbents must successfully pass a background check. ‘Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Interviews family assistance, medical assistance, foster care, day care and non-family assistance clients and/or non­ custodial parents to elicit pertinent facts, obtain statements and complete necessary forms.

• Collects and verifies factual information related to child support cases in order to locate absent parents, discern financial ability of non-custodial parent to pay support and determine appropriate course of action to establish paternity and/or obtain child support payments (e. g., court order, paternity suit, enforcement of existing order, etc.).

• Obtains voluntary statements of paternity and/or agreements to pay child support and prepares necessary paperwork for Family Court processing.

• Takes necessary steps to prepare paternity and support petitions in order to obtain court orders when voluntary agreements cannot be obtained.

• Directs data input of case status and activity on the Automated State Support Enforcement Tracking System (ASSETS).

• Uses the ASSETS to generate documents.

• Reviews, analyzes and reacts to system generated reports.

• Maintains close working relationship with child support attorneys in order to obtain information and guidance on legal matters or problems and to ensure communication and follow through on all support and paternity petitions to Family Court.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Working knowledge of Social Service Law, Domestic Law, Family Court Act, and New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations.
• Working knowledge of investigative techniques used to secure and/or verify facts via telephone calls, correspondence and record checking. (Not field investigative techniques).
• Working knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Working knowledge of the format and procedures for preparing and filing Family Court petitions.
• Working knowledge of office terminology and modem methods of record keeping and reporting.
• Working knowledge of the department’s social services programs and procedures.
• Ability to analyze facts and make logical conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to solicit and secure the cooperation and confidence of others.
• Ability to understand and apply the laws, codes and regulations pertaining to the Department of Social Services and specifically to the program(s) assigned.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
• Ability to deal with people in a professional, lawful and mature manner. Ability to understand and utilize a complex computer system.