DSHS ESA Support Enforcement Officer 4

Full Job Description

DSHS ESA – Support Enforcement Officer 4
The Division of Child Support (DCS) in Olympia, WA is seeking a skilled Support Enforcement Officer 4. This key leadership role provides direct supervision and training for a team of child support professionals and technical staff, supporting the establishment, modification, and enforcement of financial and medical child support obligations, to ensure families receive the services they need. Acting as the primary assistant to the District Manager or Child Support Program Administrator, the SEO 4 is responsible for selecting, developing, and evaluating staff, planning and assigning work, and managing overall team performance. This position plays a vital role in fostering a professional and collaborative work environment that supports staff growth, accountability, and effective delivery of child support services.

Some of what you'll do:

• Plans, organizes, supervises, and trains Support Enforcement Officers, Technicians, and Office Assistants; assigns work, sets performance standards, and monitors productivity and accuracy.
• Leads recruitment and hiring processes, including job fairs, skills assessments, interviews, reference checks, and documentation management.
• Manages staff accountability through performance development plans, evaluations, goal-setting, and coaching to support growth and improvement.
• Acts as a mentor and role model, fostering professionalism, trust, adaptability, and positive conflict resolution among staff.
• Handles employee relations by addressing performance and attendance issues, conducting investigations, and facilitating FMLA and accommodation processes in collaboration with HR.
• Oversees program areas and participates in strategic planning, project teams, and office leadership, serving as a subject matter expert.
• Provides guidance on case processing and legal consultation, resolves customer disputes, covers supervisory roles as needed, and maintains positive communication with staff and the public.
• Responsible for oversight of the Olympia training academy. Oversee onboarding of new staff, facilitate academy meetings, coordinate communications from field offices.

What we're looking for:

• Knowledge of Washington State’s child support system, including applicable RCWs, WACs, federal and state laws, policies, and procedures related to child support establishment and collection.
  
• Understanding of management and supervisory principles, Just Cause standards, personnel systems, and the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Familiarity with adult education methods for effective training, mentoring, and staff development.
  
• Ability to interpret and apply statutes, court decisions, regulations, and policies to child support casework.
  
• Skilled in supervising, mentoring, training staff, evaluating performance, and exercising sound professional judgment.
  
• Strong communication skills; able to model ethical behavior, support continuous process improvement, and work efficiently with multiple computer databases and software programs.
  
  

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 related functions, including three years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.
  AND
  
• Six months of supervisory experience or coordinating and participating in the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, analysis and enhancement of functions, programs, and processes or six months experience as a Support Enforcement Officer 3.
  

Note: Equivalent education and/or experience may 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 Saleen Hernandez at saleen.hernandez@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #01653.


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.


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