DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3

Full Job Description

DSHS ESA – Support Enforcement Officer 3 (Lead Worker)
Join our Customer Service Team as a Support Enforcement Officer 3 in Olympia, WA within the Division of Child Support (DCS). In this role, you’ll use your leadership and investigative skills to make a meaningful impact on Washington families. This is a full-time, non-permanent position expected to conclude in September 2026.

As a Support Enforcement Officer 3, you’ll play a key role in helping families receive the financial and medical support they’re entitled to. This position serves as a designated lead worker, guiding and mentoring staff while handling complex child support cases that require strong decision-making and legal knowledge. You’ll provide direct service to parents and partners, calculate and enforce obligations, and use a variety of tools to locate individuals and secure support. This is a meaningful opportunity to lead by example and make a positive impact in your community, all while supporting the state’s child support mission under federal and state law.



Some of what you'll do:

• Serve as a lead worker by training and mentoring staff, reviewing casework for accuracy, and assisting with day-to-day coordination in the supervisor’s absence.
• Manage complex child support cases, including those involving multiple jurisdictions or tribal governments, and resolve issues related to overlapping orders and debt periods.
• Calculate financial and medical child support obligations, reconcile balances, and ensure timely and accurate distribution of payments in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Enforce child support obligations using a range of legal tools such as wage garnishments, bank account seizures, license suspensions, and liens, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Work directly with parents, attorneys, and employers to gather and verify financial information, and establish or modify child support obligations.
• Provide clear, accurate guidance to customers by interpreting and explaining complex laws, policies, and procedures in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Locate individuals and assets using skip tracing techniques, state and federal databases, and interviews, while safeguarding sensitive and confidential information.
• Research and resolve payment issues, support electronic fund transfers, and help ensure compliance with audit standards and financial reporting requirements.
  
  

What we're looking for:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex legal and financial information to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Analytical thinking to interpret legal documents and accurately apply state and federal laws, rules, and policies.
• Proficiency in mathematics to calculate support obligations, arrears, and payment distributions quickly and accurately.
• Effective case management skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage a high-volume and varied caseload.
• Conflict resolution skills to calmly and respectfully de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
• Skilled in negotiation, with the ability to reach fair and lawful agreements that align with both agency objectives and client needs.
  
  

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• Two years of college level coursework,
  AND
• Four years of experience related to child support enforcement and/or debt collection, including two years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.

Note: Equivalent education and/or experience may be substitute year for year.

Interested?
Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
  
  

Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #01947.


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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.

Additional 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. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.