Clerk Specialist

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Community Access and Eligibility Division, Child Support Services, is seeking a Clerk Specialist to join our Clinton team to help Iowa families successfully navigate the child support process. As part of our team, you will play a crucial role in establishing, enforcing, and monitoring child support and medical support orders, as well as encouraging families to provide financial and emotional support for their children.

The State of Iowa offers a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life.  Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.  Below are some of the benefits the State of Iowa offers:

• Hours 8-4:30, Monday – Friday
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Package
• IPERS Retirement package and option for deferred compensation
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Discount Programs
• Vacation 
• Sick Leave (with no cap on hours that can carry over)

The selected candidate will work with customers to establish, modify or pay child support orders. Clerk Specialists provide legal support to office attorneys. Some of the duties include the preparation of files for hearings, preparing legal correspondence, typing legal documents, preparing, assembling, and sending documents for legal process service, maintaining electronic and hard copy legal files, uploading and filing documents with the Clerk of Court using an electronic filing system, managing attorney calendars, as well as other legal support duties as assigned. This position requires strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate with a variety of community partners including human service agencies, attorneys, clerks of court, county sheriffs, employers, corrections, and other related entities to achieve the goals of the Child Support Program.  

Responsibilities include performing specialized clerical duties with an emphasis on legal support. Provides information and responds to questions from case parties. Assists Case Managers and Attorneys with establishment and enforcement tasks. May assist with location duties by utilizing the internet, databases, and various automated systems.  The position requires a highly motivated, organized individual with excellent written and verbal communication skills, and significant proficiency in Microsoft office programs (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook), Adobe, and a wide array of computerized child support functions.  Experience/aptitude for learning and using multiple electronic systems is critically important for success in this position. 

In addition, candidates must have the ability to:

• Manage assigned case work and demonstrate critical thinking skills required to complete tasks independently.
• Knowledge of basic office practices, legal forms and format, the maintenance of complex records and the use of guides and reference materials.
• Prepare motions, letters, and legal documents for office attorneys.
• Prepare legal files for attorney use in Court. 
• Organize and maintain files and records of a confidential, complex, or otherwise sensitive nature.
• Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions accurately and efficiently.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Work with minimal supervision. Demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Read and comprehend complex instructions including federal, state, and local laws, policy and procedures applicable to the Child Support Program and apply it to child support casework.
• Comprehend and adhere to the confidentiality provisions stated in the Code of Iowa.
• Produce work that requires extreme accuracy.
• Prioritize tasks and time to meet established performance goals and critical deadlines.
• Perform mathematical calculations needed to accurately reflect support obligations.
• Interact with employees and customers in a manner consistent with quality customer service delivery.
• Resolve problems/issues by using good listening and positive conflict resolution skills. 
• Adjust and adapt to work pressures, change or difficult situations impacting people or groups without unusual stress reactions.  
• Maintain high attendance as excessive absenteeism negatively impacts the Child Support Program. 
• Work productively in a team environment. The ability to manage group processes; encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity, fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. 
• Accurately enter, retrieve, file, generate and correct case folders and/or information from ICAR and various data base systems.
• Accurately sort and scan physical mail; index and retrieve electronic mail from an electronic mail system.
• Write clear, concise, and accurate letters that are grammatically correct.
• Travel occasionally when work is required outside of the office.

Additional Qualification Requirements:

This position requires the completion and successful passing of a level 5 criminal background check, including fingerprinting.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to fully complete ALL employment and education fields within the online application. The application is the primary record for determining your eligibility for employment. Do not use SEE RESUME in the application fields.  We encourage you to attach a resume and cover letter to provide information in a different format, but your resume should never include information that is not contained in the application fields. Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs. 

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Background Checks
Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.