Per Capita-Representative Payee Specialist

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for working in collaboration with the most vulnerable members of the Puyallup Tribe to provide assistance to manage monthly payments on behalf of the Tribal Member beneficiary. The Representative Payee Specialist is responsible for meeting with and knowing the needs of the beneficiary, and acting in the best interests of the beneficiary to ensure that benefits received from the Tribe are used for the beneficiary’s current and/or future needs.

Requirements

Associates Degree in Social Services or a related field and four years of related experience as a Representative Payee, including previous experience in performing case aide support work in a Native American community; Or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
Intermediate knowledge of word processing and database programs is required (Word, Excel and Access).
Must be able to accurately use the computer to produce word processing, spreadsheets and database documents as required by Supervisor.
Customer Service skills; ability to work with the public
Organizational skills
Motivation/Ability to take Initiative
Time Management skills
Adaptability, Flexibility
Willingness and positive attitude to learn new skills
Strict Confidentiality
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret governmental regulations and those documents for which the beneficiary may need assistance.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from beneficiary, his/her family, Tribal representatives and those individuals/businesses doing business with the beneficiary.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Must be flexible, a team player, and able to deal with stressful situations.
Must be willing to cross-train with other positions within the department in order to provide team support and no interruption of services to the community.
Must be friendly, courteous and tactful.
Must be dependable and have an ability to keep track of various tasks.
Must be able to attend trainings as required by supervisor.
Must be able to successfully pass a background check prior to hire, and periodically throughout employment thereafter.
Must have and maintain a valid and driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent the employee from driving a GSA vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Use of Ceridian or ADP is preferred.
Proof of Indian blood.
Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance.

Responsibilities

Must be thoroughly knowledgeable with, and follow the Representative Payment Program as described in the Tribal Code.
Must use any payments received on behalf of the beneficiary for his/her current needs and save the remainder for the beneficiary’s future use.
Responsible for setting up and maintaining separate bank accounts for each beneficiary in the beneficiary’s name.
The Representative Payee Specialist has a fiduciary responsibility for the funds and stands as an appointed representative payee by the Representative Payee Program.
Prepares court reports for all court ordered clients.
Keeps log of detailed information pertaining to each client, as to assist in preparing court reports.
Appears at court hearings in order to provide oral updates when necessary.
Assist the beneficiary to find other services he or she needs, including filling out applications, seeking medical care when necessary, or finding caregivers or caseworkers as needed.
Also recommends an alternative person or agency if the Representative Payee Specialist can no longer serve the beneficiary.
Coordinates with entities/services outside of the Tribe to meet client needs.
Maintains correspondence with incarcerated clients, places orders on behalf of incarcerated clients, and works with incarcerated clients to pay off fines, regain driver’s license, housing, etc.
Maintains regular contact with client as best practice for client well-being, may require after hour contact depending on the circumstances.
Provides regular check ins with clients experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, etc.
Provides crisis intervention to clients in extreme circumstances and networks with the appropriate entities to arrange for continued care for clients.
Responsible for giving copies of receipts to the beneficiary on monthly expenses paid by the Representative Payee Specialist on behalf of the beneficiary.
Must keep an accounting record showing expenditures, including receipts, on a monthly basis with the Representative Payee Program.
Must maintain confidentiality at all times.
Must meet regularly with the beneficiary, preferably on a face-to-face basis to establish a budget and involve him/her as much as possible in financial decisions.
Independently make decisions that align with Tribal Code/Department Procedures in urgent situations.
Works closely with beneficiary to explain tribal membership benefits and explain the beneficiary’s expenses to him/her.
Assist the beneficiary when he/she is negotiating with landlords, or others, in order to assure that the beneficiary gets the best possible outcomes in terms of rates, costs, etc.
Assist the beneficiary with filing tax returns, etc.
Must file a monthly report of receipts and expenditures for and on behalf of the beneficiary, including an annual report.
Reports must be filed timely.
Notify the Representative Payee Program when the tribal member beneficiary dies or leaves the payee’s care.
Return conserved funds to the Representative Payment Program.
Responsible for training Payee Level I and Level II.
Provides oversight to the Representative Payees in the absence of the Director/Assistant Director.
Will at times audit Payee Level I and Level II files to make sure all files are updated and funds are reconciled.
Performs other duties as necessary or assigned.
May serve as a resource to others within the department and may occasionally act as supervisor when the supervisor is unavailable.