Self-Sufficiency Specialist I/II

Virginia Department of Social Services • Accomac, VA

7d • $35,452 - $55,000

About The Position

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I is an entry-level position where employees work under close supervision while being trained to determine eligibility for social services and government assistance programs, and to 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 focus entirely on Employment Services or a combination of Benefits and Employment Services.

Self-Sufficiency Specialist II is a full-performance level position responsible for determining eligibility for social services and government assistance programs, and assessing client employability to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Work is performed within established policies and procedures, but requires independent judgment in determining eligibility, especially concerning social factors influencing eligibility and employment. Employees only seek supervisory assistance for difficult or unusual situations. Employees focus entirely on Employment Services or a combination of Benefits and Employment Services.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic human behavior
• Mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems
• Knowledge of 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
• Demonstrated ability to interview, gather information, and evaluate situations
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information
• Demonstrated ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions
• Demonstrated ability to use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to establish and 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
• Willingness to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors degree OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

Responsibilities

• Determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs
• Assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self sufficiency
• Gathering information and evaluating situations
• Analyzing information
• Establishing and maintaining case records
• Accessing and retrieving data
• Creating reports
• Manipulating data
• Working in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency

What This Job Offers

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