Job Description

Posting number: 2026-07016

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: ESA

Job classification: SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Child Support, Research, Community and Social Services, Financial Aid & Services

DSHS ESA Support Enforcement Officer 1-2 In-Training

The Economic Services Administration, Division of Child Support is seeking Child Support Enforcement Officer to join our team in Seattle, WA. You’ll provide direct service to customers; establishing, modifying, and enforcing financial and medical child support obligations.

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Schedule: This position will begin in-office for the first few weeks of onboarding, then move to a hybrid schedule of two days telework and three days in office during your in-training time. Once fully placed in the collection team, the schedule can be reviewed based on business needs.

DSHS duty station locations include North Seattle Community College or Downtown Seattle.

Some of what you will do:

• Work over the phone with parents, attorneys, and advocates to establish child support obligations and apply sanctions if there’s no compliance with the terms of those obligations
• Establish administrative child support orders by researching and locating income information, calculating complex financial and medical obligations, calculating arrears balances, preparing and serving legal notices, and negotiating settlements
• Analyze, interpret and apply state, federal and international laws pertaining to the legal determination of paternity, and to the establishment and enforcement of financial and medical child support
• Negotiate debt repayment terms by analyzing asset and financial information such as pay stubs, tax returns, business earnings, and proof of expenses
• Review and interpret court and administrative child support orders to determine when obligations may be suspended or terminated, the support amount, and the frequency at which support is charged
• Utilize signature authority to initiate and sign legal notices, including correspondence with clients, courts, and other Washington state agencies
• Locate individuals and assets utilizing state interfaces such as Employment Security, Department of Revenue, Department of Licensing, Labor and Industries, Federal Parent Locate Service, and the Social Security Administration
• Maintain a caseload of child support cases utilizing the Support Enforcement Management System

What we’re looking for:

• Strong conflict resolution skills to appropriately handle emotionally charged interactions with clients
• Analytical skills to read, interpret, and understand legal documents
• Excellent communication skills to clearly explain complex information to diverse audiences
• Proven analytical and math skills to calculate support obligations and assess case details
• Ability to manage a large, growing, and diverse caseload

Who should apply? Professionals with:
Two years of college-level coursework AND two years of experience in child support enforcement and/or debt collection-related functions.
OR
Two years of experience as a Child Support Enforcement Technician.
OR
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute year for year.

In-Training:
Upon successful completion of the in-training plan of approximately 12-months at the Support Enforcement Officer 1 level, you will advance to the goal job class of Support Enforcement Officer 2.

Salary Ranges:
Support Enforcement Officer 1 ($ 4,517 Step A - $ 6,075 Step M)
Support Enforcement Officer 2 ($ 4,866 Step A - $ 6,542 Step M)

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact DSHS Recruiter and reference 00667.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs, or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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