Income Maintenance Caseworker II

Buncombe County Government•Asheville, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for an Income Maintenance Caseworker II within the Social Services - Income Maintenance Department of Buncombe County. The purpose of this role is to ensure all eligible individuals receive timely public assistance benefits by determining or re-determining eligibility of Buncombe County residents applying for public assistance across multiple Income Maintenance programs. This position makes a difference in people's lives by helping families and children access Medicaid or assisting pregnant women, children, and elderly individuals with medical care access. Buncombe County offers a robust training program, including several weeks of on-the-job training, and a defined career development plan. The role is hybrid, involving partial work-from-home with occasional in-office work. Employees approved for remote work must reside within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility. The county is committed to building an inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum and two (2) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering, and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical, legal tasks or determining eligibility (or one (1) year of Income Maintenance experience).
Graduation from high school and three (3) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering, and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical, legal tasks or determining eligibility.
An equivalent combination of training and experience.
Current knowledge of available agency, community, Federal and State programs, along with eligibility criteria, timelines, and requirements.
Ability to analyze, comprehend and apply rules and regulations and often changing policies and guidelines pertaining to eligibility requirements for programs.
Ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
Ability to accept work direction from multiple parties and work as part of a team.
Ability to work with and interpret facts and figures and perform tasks involving a high degree of accuracy, learn the intricacies of numerous forms and procedures of public assistance programs.
Proficiency working with a variety of computer systems and software.
Knowledge of policies, procedures, regulations, and rules regarding programs to provide accurate and timely information to ongoing and potential clients.
Skill in data entry into a computer and operating general office equipment.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the assigned caseload and general public.

Nice To Haves

English/Spanish bilingual speakers preferred

Responsibilities

Determine client eligibility for benefits accurately and within local, community, Federal and State mandated time frames.
Gather and interpret client data obtained through interview process, case file review and/or third-party verification.
Provide information to clients/applicants regarding programs, services and eligibility requirements and outcomes.
Organize and maintain ongoing caseloads to maintain timeliness and quality assurance per Federal and State guidelines along with Buncombe County best practices.
Identify cases for investigation of potential fraud and submit appropriate fraud referral documentation.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Report and react to changes in programs to clients and update eligibility or program requirements as needed.
Report potentially fraudulent claims or information to Program Integrity.
Maintain clear and accurate records, review caseload information on a minimum of an annual basis.
Assist in local and state hearing processes, as necessary.