Self-Sufficiency Specialist II - Frederick County, VA

Virginia Department of Social Services•Winchester, VA

4h•Onsite

About The Position

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

Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations
Working knowledge of employment services
Working knowledge of State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions
Working knowledge of economic and human behavior
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs
Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems
Working 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 with broad spectrum of individuals in person and on the phone
Demonstrated ability to interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client's situation, and make referrals
Demonstrated ability to determine a client's ownership share in situations
Demonstrated ability to make mathematical computations
Demonstrated ability to make eligibility and employability decisions
Demonstrated ability to independently identify customers' employment needs and develop employment plans
Demonstrated ability to analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps
Demonstrated ability to 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
Demonstrated ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions
Demonstrated ability to 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
Same as required in Self-Sufficiency Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit and Employment Services Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Explains the employment services program
Handles intake for both the eligibility and services programs
Assesses customer needs and develops employment/child care plans
Develops/Conducts Job Search and Job Readiness workshops
Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals
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
Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals
Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers
Gives applicants or recipients information about other agencies where they may go for services they seek and are able to utilize without explanation or supportive services