Child Support Systems Certification Specialist

This position provides support for state child support systems modernization replacement initiatives funded through federal financial participation (FFP). The role supports review and analysis of whether the replacement system meets federal certification requirements as outlined in federal regulations and the OCSE Certification Guide (“Automated Systems for Child Support Services: A Guide for States”).

Responsibilities:

• Communicate with state project staff, including attending the periodic status calls with DSTS during the project, to help guide and advise states about certification concepts and issues
• Track which states are undergoing system modernization replacement efforts, and their likely schedule for certification activities
• Coordinate exchange of certification documentation, including questionnaire and test deck documents
• In advance of Phase I visit, review all certification documents for compliance with the OCSE Certification Guide, federal laws and regulations, and state plans; communicate with the state for any missing documentation or clarifications
• Attend Phase I visits, which are typically onsite in the relevant state over the course of one week and document results and issues; attend exit conference and verbally communicate initial findings.
• Coordinate drafting and approval of Phase I findings with subsequent submission to states, including Certification and Management findings.
• Communicate with state as they remediate findings, managing and documenting successful remediation as it occurs
• After request for Phase II certification by a state, coordinate and attend on-visit, including viewing live remediation of Phase I findings as well as travel to local offices, data centers, statewide disbursement units (SDUs) as necessary; attend exit conference and verbally communicate initial findings
• Communicate follow-up issues to state in writing
• Draft final Certification approval letter for OCSE Commissioner review and approval
• Coordinate with IV&V vendors as needed
• Manage schedules for all states’ certification Level I and II visits
• Manage orderly document retention in DSTS SharePoint site
• Collaborate with Division of Regional Operations and Division of Federal Systems staff as needed
• Assist with communication to OCSE Commissioner on state certification statuses as well as any issues

Required Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of federal child support laws and regulations, including State Plan requirements
• Practical experience with child support programs at the state and/or local level, including payment processing and SDUs
• Experience with statewide child support automated system projects including practical experience with interfaces, data conversion, SLDC choices, testing, organizational change management, and project management.
• Knowledge of child support modern information technology alternatives
• Comprehensive understanding of child support system security requirements, including for SDUs
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report development and ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple manner.

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