Benefit Programs Specialist (Foster Care & Adoption)

New LHRC External Career Site • Amherst, VA

12d

About The Position

The Amherst County Department of Social Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I/II to manage eligibility determinations and case management for Foster Care and Adoption cases, with an emphasis on financial responsibilities related to Title IV-E eligibility and maintenance payments. This position may be filled as a Benefit Programs Specialist I or II depending on the successful candidate. This position will be responsible for determining Title IV-E eligibility and maintaining the Title IV-E caseload, and determining maintenance payments/rates, tracking and monitoring expenditures. Duties include administrative support for Benefit Programs & Family Service units, Special Welfare accounting, assist with Quality Assurance and Accountability (QAA) reviews and audits, and running background checks. This position will serve as point of contact for and work closely with Social Security Administration, Division of Child Support Enforcement, a variety of community partners and vendors, and county/state departments. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, have strong critical thinking and investigative skills, and possess effective communication abilities. The role requires collaboration with Family Services, community partners, and various county/state agencies. Benefit Programs Specialist I represents the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs. Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only.

Requirements

• Some knowledge of basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.
• High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption program coordination tasks to include monitoring and issuing subsidy payments, initial eligibility determination, ongoing case management, and policy research & interpretation to ensure agency remains in compliance.
• Maintains caseload of non-Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption and conducts routine evaluations to ensure appropriate use of state-pool funds and program compliance.
• Provides program guidance and policy interpretation to Family Service staff in Foster Care and Adoption, ensuring appropriate funding streams are utilized and expenditures comply with regulations.
• Conduct internal reviews of OASIS and assist with the preparation, submission, and resolution of the Quality Assurance and Accountability (QAA) audit, ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Serve as a point of contact and work closely with the Social Security Administration, Division of Child Support Enforcement, and other community partners and state/county departments.
• Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility;
• Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
• Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;
• Computes assistance plans;
• Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items;
• Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and
• Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income.

Benefits

• Amherst County offers a generous benefits package, including participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), employer-paid life and disability insurance, paid holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Telework and flexible schedules may be available after the first year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees