OFFICE ASSISTANT - ECONOMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM

La Crosse County • La Crosse, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a specialized clerical position in the Economic Support Section of the Human Services Department. Primary duties will vary, depending on area of specialization, providing clerical and related services for the multi-county Western Region for Economic Assistance (WREA) Income Maintenance Consortium or processing Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) applications. Employees use independent judgment in carrying out assignments and in making decisions within established policies and guidelines and work with minimum supervision.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of general office experience with competency in application of the required skills, abilities and knowledge.
• Strong preference for clerical experience in a Human Services field.
• Demonstrated work history of being very well organized and handling a wide variety of tasks in a high volume position.
• Demonstrated work history of providing excellent customer service.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to appropriately assist clients in crisis.
• High level of skills and experience using various computer programs.
• Considerable knowledge of programs administered by the department and Consortium, and of community resources available in each of the Consortium counties.
• Knowledge of Consortium's business processes.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to make accurate computations and reports requiring above-average arithmetical and English skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in carrying out assigned duties.
• Ability to meet the public and to establish working relationships with County officials and other employees.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of work related information.

Nice To Haves

• May consider other relevant combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Acts as first point of contact for walk-in customers; greets customers with scheduled appointments and notifies appropriate staff of customer's arrival.
• Answers phones in Economic Support lobby.
• Provides information and answers questions about the programs available through the WREA Consortium and La Crosse County Economic Support; explains general eligibility guidelines and application processes.
• Refers customers to self-service telephone and computer services within lobby, and provides technical support. Arranges for a customer to meet with an on-site eligibility worker or supervisor as appropriate.
• Accepts paper Requests for Assistance; reviews Food Share Priority Service information and completes client registration when appropriate.
• Schedules appointments for Energy Assistance, and local face-to-face appointments for Income Maintenance and Child Care programs.
• Works in the Cares Worker Web (CWW) system to look up eligibility related information, and provide administrative support for workload assignment, tracking and reporting.
• Reviews eligibility notices with customers and prints notices upon request. Refers customers to other community resources.
• Scans and indexes applications, reviews and related documents into the statewide electronic case file system. Conducts interviews and processes Energy Assistance applications.
• Communicates Energy Assistance program eligibility information and answers questions from clients. Participates in outreach activities for Energy Assistance program.
• Runs weekly and monthly CCA, CWW and Webi reports, exports and compiles data for the WREA Consortium into spreadsheet reports.
• Takes meeting minutes.
• Orders publications, forms and applications.
• Maintains WREA Consortium calendars and schedules. Maintains annual record of trainings attended by staff.
• Types letters, correspondence, forms, etc., for supervisors and manager.
• Prepares caseload and other reports for Human Services/County Board meetings.
• In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.
• Employee is expected to report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave, to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.
• Assists and/or trains other staff on processes upon request.

Benefits

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS): A top-rated pension program.
• Affordable Insurance Premiums: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, and 10+ paid holidays annually.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and wellness programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED