Self-Sufficiency Specialist I/II (Prince Edward)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Farmville, VA

4d•$47,071

About The Position

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I is an entry-level position where employees are trained under close supervision to determine eligibility for social services government assistance programs and assess client employability to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Upon supervisor recommendation, director approval, and successful completion of training, the employee is redefined as a Self-Sufficiency Specialist II and may receive a salary increase. Employees may be dedicated solely to Employment Services or a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. Self-Sufficiency Specialist II is the full-performance level position responsible for determining eligibility for social services government assistance programs and assessing client employability to aid in their self-sufficiency efforts. Work is performed within established policies and procedures, but requires independent judgment, especially in evaluating social factors influencing eligibility and employment. Employees seek supervisory assistance only for difficult or unusual situations. Employees may be dedicated solely to Employment Services or a combination of Benefits and Employment Services.

Requirements

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.
High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of: practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions; economic and human behavior; financial assistance programs; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals in person and on the phone; interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports, and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.
Proficiency in Department of Social Services related software to include VaCMS.
Experience in Benefit Programs and completion of required Benefit Programs training.

Responsibilities

Explains the employment services program
Makes assessments of customer needs and develops employment plans, utilizing job search, work experience, education and training.
Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.
Monitors case reports/records in accordance with regulations.
Explains the child care program and makes assessments of customer needs.
Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information;
Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion;
Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods;
Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income;
Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation;
Prepares reports and maintains client records;