Self-Sufficiency Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Accomac, VA

About The Position

Self-Sufficiency Specialist III represents the advanced level in the class series for Self-Sufficiency Specialists. Employees provide consultation on complex cases and may work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential. Employees are assigned projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions and programs such as VIEW, fraud investigation, child care, and employment services. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards. Makes determinations of eligibility for programs, evaluates data gathered through interviews and client/worker investigations, investigates and verifies client finances, residency, employment resources and related matters, and examines factors of eligibility for consistency, completeness and accuracy to avoid underpayment, overpayments, and fraud; Monitors efficacy, trends of programs, and completes seasonal, quarterly, and yearly reports; Participates on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students and new employees, teaching classes, and conducting outreach. Provides statistical data and other information to support budget requests, interviews clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determines program eligibility. Explains programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conducts follow-up as needed. Carries a caseload of clients receiving public assistance and employment services that involve complex issues. Develops employment / child care plans for customers facing the most complex situations. Serves as a resource to staff and the public concerning employment services, VIEW, other public assistance programs, and eligibility requirements. Supervises and develops job readiness and job search workshops. Works with employers in developing job opportunities for clients and hosting job fairs. Answers questions related to policies and procedures. Maintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required.

Requirements

Knowledge - Considerable knowledge of: applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures related to public assistance, employment services, and child care programs; basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine benefits eligibility; human services programs and how each interrelates; the strategic planning process; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and 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; apply public assistance, employment services, and child care programs, policies, and regulations sufficient to make eligibility and employability decisions independently; identify customers’ employment needs and develop employment plans responsive to those needs; speak in public promoting agency programs; communicate 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 where multi-ownership exists; assess client’s needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal, family and cultural information; 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Makes determinations of eligibility for programs
Evaluates data gathered through interviews and client/worker investigations
Investigates and verifies client finances, residency, employment resources and related matters
Examines factors of eligibility for consistency, completeness and accuracy to avoid underpayment, overpayments, and fraud
Monitors efficacy, trends of programs, and completes seasonal, quarterly, and yearly reports
Participates on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students and new employees, teaching classes, and conducting outreach
Provides statistical data and other information to support budget requests
Interviews clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determines program eligibility
Explains programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conducts follow-up as needed
Carries a caseload of clients receiving public assistance and employment services that involve complex issues
Develops employment / child care plans for customers facing the most complex situations
Serves as a resource to staff and the public concerning employment services, VIEW, other public assistance programs, and eligibility requirements
Supervises and develops job readiness and job search workshops
Works with employers in developing job opportunities for clients and hosting job fairs
Answers questions related to policies and procedures
Maintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required