Benefit Programs Supervisor

Virginia Department of Social Services•Orange, VA

About The Position

This is the supervisory level in the occupational group. Employees supervise Specialists who determine eligibility for government assistance programs and a variety of other staff. Employees train, lead, and develop staff and monitor case management services. The Benefit Programs Supervisor is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Manager by the latter’s responsibilities for supervising Supervisors and managing program performance. General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) – Provides administrative and programmatic supervision to staff; Reviews case management plans to include quality assurance of case management services; Develops written guidelines for delivery of case management services; assigns caseloads to staff; Coordinates and monitors activities of staff; Holds individual and group conferences to review cases and problems; Reviews case records and evaluates performance of staff members and recommends indicated action; Recommends hiring, disciplinary actions, transfer, promotion, and termination of personnel within the limits of appropriate statutes, rules and regulations and policies, developing performance standards and preparing corrective action plans; Represents staff needs to senior management team; Prepares and implements internal operating policies and procedures; Interprets regulation, policy and other program information changes to staff; trains new employees in areas such as agency policy, department procedures and agency or government regulations; Determines staffing needs and makes recommendations to management; Maintains records and prepares regular and special reports; Participates in developing and implementing agency administrative policy; Makes decisions on controversial cases or presents them for higher level action; Authorizes emergency assistance for applicants/recipients; Serves in a liaison capacity to other agencies and groups; Monitors program expenditures; Meets with community groups to discuss programs and resources and develops/maintains cooperative relationships with public and private entities; Assigns caseloads to staff; and May act for the Director of Social Services as designated. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Considerable knowledge of: current social, economic and health issues and trends; principles and practices of effective supervision; public assistance programs, policies and regulations; the literature in the field of eligibility determination; casework supervision principles and practices; and effective interviewing techniques. Working knowledge of computer systems and standard office software to include the state Department of Social Services human services systems. Skills- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: work effectively with others; work independently supervising and training others to deal effectively with the public; plan and manage work effectively; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interpret laws, policies, and regulations and to make decisions based thereon; plan and supervise work activities, including service delivery, training, recordkeeping duties and organizational operations; develop and maintain good working relations with internal and external customers; and evaluate financial assistance programs. Education and Experience- Bachelor’s degree in the human services field and human services program experience in a lead or supervisory capacity OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of: current social, economic and health issues and trends; principles and practices of effective supervision; public assistance programs, policies and regulations; the literature in the field of eligibility determination; casework supervision principles and practices; and effective interviewing techniques
Working knowledge of computer systems and standard office software to include the state Department of Social Services human services systems
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software
Demonstrated ability to: work effectively with others; work independently supervising and training others to deal effectively with the public; plan and manage work effectively; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interpret laws, policies, and regulations and to make decisions based thereon; plan and supervise work activities, including service delivery, training, recordkeeping duties and organizational operations; develop and maintain good working relations with internal and external customers; and evaluate financial assistance programs
Bachelor’s degree in the human services field and human services program experience in a lead or supervisory capacity OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Demonstrated ability to evaluate eligibility for public assistance programs, including Children and Families SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid based on VDSS policies and regulations
Experience working in VDSS software systems to include VaCMS, VAMMIS, and Spider
Human services experience in a lead or supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Nice To Haves

Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs
Supervisory experience or work experience in a leadership role
Considerable knowledge of Virginia DSS Benefit Programs Children’s and Families MA, SNAP, and EAP
Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
Experience as a trainer for benefits programs
Veteran and/or Disabled Veteran

Responsibilities

Provides administrative and programmatic supervision to staff
Reviews case management plans to include quality assurance of case management services
Develops written guidelines for delivery of case management services
assigns caseloads to staff
Coordinates and monitors activities of staff
Holds individual and group conferences to review cases and problems
Reviews case records and evaluates performance of staff members and recommends indicated action
Recommends hiring, disciplinary actions, transfer, promotion, and termination of personnel within the limits of appropriate statutes, rules and regulations and policies, developing performance standards and preparing corrective action plans
Represents staff needs to senior management team
Prepares and implements internal operating policies and procedures
Interprets regulation, policy and other program information changes to staff
trains new employees in areas such as agency policy, department procedures and agency or government regulations
Determines staffing needs and makes recommendations to management
Maintains records and prepares regular and special reports
Participates in developing and implementing agency administrative policy
Makes decisions on controversial cases or presents them for higher level action
Authorizes emergency assistance for applicants/recipients
Serves in a liaison capacity to other agencies and groups
Monitors program expenditures
Meets with community groups to discuss programs and resources and develops/maintains cooperative relationships with public and private entities
Assigns caseloads to staff
May act for the Director of Social Services as designated