Self Sufficiency Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Petersburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves determining eligibility for programs, evaluating data from interviews and investigations, and verifying client finances, residency, and employment. The specialist will monitor program trends, prepare reports, and participate in strategic planning, mentoring, and outreach. They will also provide statistical data for budget requests, interview clients with questionable statements, explain program details, and manage a caseload of clients with complex public assistance and employment service needs. A key responsibility is developing employment and childcare plans for clients facing difficult situations and serving as a resource for staff and the public regarding employment services and public assistance programs. The role includes supervising and developing job readiness workshops, working with employers to create job opportunities, and answering policy-related questions. Maintaining records and preparing reports are also essential duties.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures related to public assistance, employment services, and childcare programs.
Considerable knowledge of basic human behavior.
Considerable knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficiently to determine benefits eligibility.
Considerable knowledge of human services programs and how each interrelates the strategic planning process.
Considerable knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas, and averages to solve mathematical problems.
Considerable knowledge of interviewing techniques such as data collection, interrogation, and investigation; and employment services.
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex cases.
Demonstrated ability to apply public assistance, employment services, and childcare programs, policies, and regulations sufficient to make eligibility and employability decisions independently.
Demonstrated ability to identify customers’ employment needs and develop employment plans responsive to those needs.
Demonstrated ability to speak in public, promoting agency programs.
Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing with a broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals 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 where multi-ownership exists.
Demonstrated ability to assess clients’ needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal, family, and cultural information.
Demonstrated ability to use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, 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.
High school graduate with additional related work experience in benefit programs and employment service OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Make determinations of eligibility for programs.
Evaluate data gathered through interviews and client/worker investigations.
Investigate and verify client finances, residency, employment resources, and related matters.
Examine factors of eligibility for consistency, completeness, and accuracy to avoid underpayment, overpayments, and fraud.
Monitor efficacy and trends of programs.
Complete seasonal, quarterly, and yearly reports.
Participate in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students, and new employees.
Teach classes and conduct outreach.
Provide statistical data and other information to support budget requests.
Interview clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determine program eligibility.
Explain programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conduct follow-up as needed.
Carry a caseload of clients receiving public assistance and employment services that involve complex issues.
Develop employment/childcare plans for customers facing the most complex situations.
Serve as a resource to staff and the public concerning employment services, VIEW, other public assistance programs, and eligibility requirements.
Supervise and develop job readiness and job search workshops.
Work with employers in developing job opportunities for clients and hosting job fairs.
Answer questions related to policies and procedures.
Maintain records, prepare reports, and submit summaries and information as required.