Self- Sufficiency Specialist I/II

New LHRC External Career Site•King and Queen Court House, VA

57d

About The Position

King and Queen County is a very rural county that was established in 1691. The county is named for King William III and Queen Mary II of England. The county has a total area of 326 square miles, of which 315 square miles is land and 11 square miles is water. Measuring 72 miles in length, it is known as the longest county in the state of Virginia. Driving through the County, there are many farms and breath-taking natural scenery to enjoy. King and Queen County contains no incorporated towns or cities, and remains one of Virginia’s most sparsely-populated counties. The population is approximately 7000. If you desire to work in the country, King and Queen County is the perfect setting for you. King and Queen Department of Social Services is seeking a compassionate Self-Sufficiency Specialist I/II that is committed to providing excellent customer service to our citizens. Are you looking for a flexible work environment in a rural county where you can do meaningful work helping people everyday? Do you thrive in a team-based approach to human services? Do you want to work with a community of dedicated professionals? If you do, we are looking for you. Titles Description- Self-Sufficiency Specialist I represents the entry level in the Self-Sufficiency Specialist occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self sufficiency. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Self-Sufficiency Specialist II and becomes eligible for a salary increase if/as indicated by the local department’s compensation plan. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. This level is distinguished from the Self-Sufficiency Specialist II by the latter’s performing all the assigned eligibility and employment service duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies. Title Description – Self-Sufficiency Specialist II represents the full performance level in the occupational group for Self-Sufficiency Specialists responsible for determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self sufficiency. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility and employment. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Self-Sufficiency Specialist II is distinguished from the Self-Sufficiency Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act as a technical resource for others on social services’ eligibility and employment programs.

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

Experience working in a local department of social services.
Experience working in an employment program.

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