Benefit Programs Specialist III - TANF/VIEW

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

1d•$56,716 - $89,215

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Benefit Programs Specialist III performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine applicants’ eligibility for multiple benefits administered by the Social Services Department. The role includes interviewing applicants, explaining programs, helping complete forms, verifying information, advising applicants about eligibility, connecting clients with human services, and screening and determining eligibility for employment services. The specialist develops and monitors participant service plans and employment-related activities, maintains confidential records, detects and reports fraud, and performs related administrative and eligibility work. The position also serves as a mentor and resource for coworkers, provides limited approval authority, reviews case actions and files, assists staff with difficult cases, interprets policies, supports staff training, and contributes to team operations and policy recommendations. The position reports to the Self Sufficiency Supervisor. The employee must be willing to perform disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, during a natural disaster or emergency.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, plus work experience in human-services program eligibility or case-management work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Ability to perform case-management and team-leader/team-member duties.
Ability to determine eligibility for multiple benefit programs, interview applicants, explain programs, assist with applications, and verify applicant information.
Ability to detect and report fraud.
Knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, social-services terminology, and laws and ordinances affecting social services.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in evaluating information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
Ability to perform arithmetic calculations, including decimals, percentages, and fractions, and interpret graphs.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, prepare clear reports, and interact with applicants, coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
Ability to use computers and software typically utilized in the position.
Ability to work with little direct supervision as situations warrant and to adapt to minimal stress during emergencies.
Ability to lead, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.
Ability to operate office machinery and equipment and an automobile.
Ability to coordinate hands and eyes when using office equipment, handle items such as tape measures, scales, and cameras, and differentiate colors and shades.
Ability to talk, hear, and communicate by telephone; ability to perform under stress and when interacting with people under stress.
Must be willing to work disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a human-services field with five to seven years of experience involving social-services program work, including interviewing and counseling, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants, explain benefit programs, determine eligibility for assistance or employment services, obtain and verify applicant information, and assist with required forms.
Conduct individual and group assessments and reassessments to determine participants’ employability.
Develop and revise participation plans, monitor job-search efforts, and assign participants to education and training activities.
Contact employers and others to refer and place eligible participants in unsubsidized employment.
Notify participants of adverse benefit actions for noncompliance, initiate sanction procedures, and inform departmental personnel of relevant household changes.
Identify suspected fraud and make appropriate referrals and contacts.
Calculate the amount and type of assistance for which clients may be eligible or ineligible.
Respond to inquiries about benefit programs and refer inquiries to appropriate personnel.
Perform administrative tasks, prepare correspondence and forms, organize caseloads, set priorities, and schedule appointments.
Use computer data-entry and file-maintenance programs to retrieve information and complete eligibility entries required by State and City programs.
Research files for eligibility reviews and applicant re-evaluations through the appeals process.
Maintain confidential records and files and ensure case files contain required actions.
Participate in the self-directed team, promote communication and customer service, and act as a team leader.
Review and approve or disapprove case actions recommended by the Benefit Programs Manager; review cases and assist subordinates with difficult cases; interpret policy and advise subordinates.
Ensure workers receive training on new policies and procedures, and participate in training events and meetings with agency and outside groups.
Observe the effects of policies and procedures and recommend changes where needed.
Review case-management reports, maintain data from multiple sources, conduct research, and organize data for periodic reports and analysis.
Serve as a resource and liaison for agency staff, the State Department, and outside agencies; mentor coworkers.
Approve own work and monitor work completed by Level I and II Case Managers.
Perform other related duties as required, including disaster-related assignments when needed.