Benefit Programs Specialist III - TANF/VIEW

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

About The Position

Under limited supervision, performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiple benefit programs administered by the Social Services Department. Work involves interviewing applicants and explaining multiple benefit programs, assisting applicants in completing forms, determining and advising applicants of eligibility for assistance, and providing or facilitating access to human services assistance, screening clients and determining whether the applicant qualifies for the employment services program, developing service plans for programs participants, and placing and monitoring participants in the program Verifies information received from applicants is correct and complete. Detects and reports cases of fraud. Maintains a variety of forms and records. Serves as a mentor to co-workers and exercises limited approval authority over the same. Participates as a team member to improve customer service, operations, resolution of problems, and planning and control of the unit's work. Reports to the Self Sufficiency Supervisor . To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent, work experience in human services program eligibility or case management work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in the Human Service field with five to seven years of experience involving social services program work including interviewing and counseling; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Responsibilities

Interviews applicants, explaining scope of multiple benefit programs and determining eligibility for assistance and/or participation in Employment Services Program; secures and verifies financial, social and employment data from applicant; assists applicant in completing required forms, as necessary.
Conducts individual and group assessments and reassessments of program participants to determine participants' employability.
Develops plan of participation to record goals and objectives toward employment for program participant; may redesign plans as program participants' status or needs change, or as otherwise necessary; monitors participants' job search effort; assigns participants to various education and training facets of program.
Contacts private and public sector employers and others to refer and place eligible program participants in non-subsidized employment.
Notifies participants of adverse action to be taken against Social Services benefits in cases of failure to comply with program rules, regulations and/or requirements; initiates sanction procedures in such cases; notifies appropriate departmental personnel of changes in participants' households affecting eligibility or participation in program. Identifies instances of fraud and makes appropriate referrals and contacts
Completes various mathematical calculations. Determines amount and type of assistance clients may be eligible or ineligible to receive.
Receives and responds to inquiries providing information on multiple benefit programs. Refers inquiries to appropriate personnel.
Performs routine administrative tasks for the department. Composes and types correspondence and forms. Plans and organizes caseload. Establishes priorities. Schedules appointments.
Utilizes various computer data entry and file maintenance programs to retrieve files and other information required to determine eligibility for assistance. Performs various eligibility entry duties to comply with State/City program requirements.
Researches files and records to obtain data for inclusion in periodic reviews of clients' eligibility status and/or re-evaluation of applicants through appeals process.
Identifies instances of fraud. Makes appropriate referrals and contacts.
Maintains a variety of confidential records and files.
Participates in and supports the self-directed team concept. Meets with team members to maximize communication regarding all aspects of the work setting including customer service, policies, goals, and related objectives. Acts as a Team Leader.
Monitors and approves or disapproves case actions recommended by the Benefit Programs Manager. Reviews individual program cases and assists subordinates in difficult or complicated cases. Interprets policy and advises subordinates as necessary. reviews reports of
Ensures that workers receive training on new policies and procedures. Participates in training seminars and conferences with other agency personnel and/or groups outside the agency.
Participates in meetings with other agency personnel and/or groups outside of the agency to provide input.
Observes the effects of new and established policies and procedures noting suitability for meeting complex needs of applicants and clients. Provides recommendations for changes as needed.
Ensures completeness of required action through maintenance of case files. Reviews case management reports to determine status. Researches files and records to obtain data for inclusion in periodic review of clients' eligibility status and/or re-evaluation of application through the appeals process.
Maintains data from various sources. Performs research for completion of periodic reports. Organizes data for analysis.
Serves as a resource person for agency staff to ensure that new policies and procedures are adopted and established. Liaison for State Department and other outside agencies. Acts as mentor to co-workers.
Approves own work and monitors work completed by the Level I and II Case Manager.
Performs other related duties as required.
Employee must be willing to work disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.