Benefit Programs Specialist IV (Franklin County)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Rocky Mount, VA

About The Position

Benefit Programs Specialist IV is the leadership level in the occupational group and performs responsible lead work related to benefit programs. The employee serves as a lead worker and supports the supervisor by helping ensure staff coverage and balanced workloads, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up supervision. The role may include consulting on complex cases and handling sensitive, confidential, and complex assignments. Work is performed with a high degree of independence under established policies, procedures, and guidelines, with supervisory assistance sought for unusually complicated cases or situations. Unlike a Benefit Programs Supervisor, this role does not spend most of its time on supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues and evaluating others’ work. The position interprets policies and procedures for benefit programs and assists staff and clients with initial and continuing eligibility determinations. It prepares case records, reports, and statistics; responds to public inquiries about assistance programs and eligibility; explores other sources of income and assistance; and coordinates with community resources and partners to help clients meet assessed needs. The role requires comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, procedures, human behavior, social problems and resources, interviewing and counseling techniques, and factors that can create barriers to employment. It also requires skill in operating a personal computer and associated office and agency software. Education and experience are the same as required for Benefit Program Specialist III, with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures, including civil and Circuit Court procedures.
Comprehensive knowledge of basic human behavior, social problems and resources, and interviewing techniques.
Comprehensive knowledge of social, economic, health, and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment.
Comprehensive knowledge of counseling techniques.
Skill in operating a personal computer and associated office and agency software.
Education and experience required for Benefit Program Specialist III, plus additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead worker and assist the supervisor with staff training, case-file reviews, and back-up supervision.
Help ensure staff coverage and balanced workloads.
Answer staff questions about policies and procedures, suggest case-management methods, and consult on complex cases.
Prepare case records and reports.
Work on the most complex and sensitive cases.
Interpret benefit-program policies and procedures and assist staff and clients with initial and continuing eligibility determinations.
Collect and compile caseload statistics.
Provide individual or group training to eligibility workers.
Coordinate training programs and orientation for new employees and clients.
Explore alternative sources of income and assistance.
Respond to public inquiries about public assistance programs and eligibility requirements.
Ensure established deadlines are met.
Prepare monthly reports and maintain activity records.
Assist in training new staff on policy and procedural matters.
Coordinate and interact with community resources and partners to help clients meet assessed needs.