Social Services Worker III (Childcare Eligibility Specialist) (4860-12)

Hamilton County Government • Cincinnati, OH

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides services for families within a child day care system, which includes protective, special needs, and targeted job, education, and training components. The role involves interviewing clients, assessing needs, advising on community resources, exploring options, and explaining rights and responsibilities. The specialist interprets federal and state regulations and local laws, ensuring program compliance and taking action on non-compliance. Responsibilities include identifying problems, coordinating intervention for continuity of care, and performing ongoing case maintenance. This includes responding to inquiries regarding eligibility and case status for the Child Care call center and assisting families with securing and retaining appropriate child care. The role also involves maintaining caseloads using an integrated computerized data collection system for direct data entry, including demographics, child profiles, authorizations, verifications, provider searches, placement tracking, progress notes, evaluations, payment issuance, payment reconciliation, due process, and other supportive data for compliance. The specialist will represent the agency at compliance hearings for varied funding sources and establish/maintain communication with internal department staff (Children's Services, Income Maintenance, Child Support) and community/governmental agencies. Additionally, the role involves clearing SETS for Child Support income and non-custodial parent demographic information, and clearing CRIS-E/Ohio Benefits Worker Portal for public assistance eligibility, notifying appropriate parties of any disparities. The position may also participate in departmental special projects, provide feedback on practices and procedures, act as an agency representative for public speaking and staff orientation, and attend necessary conferences and training sessions. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Completion of an Associate’s degree in social services or related field.
• or 2 years related work experience.
• Must have a car, valid driver’s license issued by the state of residency and required auto liability insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of: public relations; office practices and procedures; agency policies and procedures; government structure and process; counseling; interviewing; social sciences (sociology, psychology, social work).
• Skill In: Agency networked personal computer software and program operating systems.
• Ability to: define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; transcribe dictation, make appointments; gather, collate and classify information about data, people or things; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public.

Responsibilities

• Provides services for families within a child day care system which includes protective, special needs, and targeted job, education and training components.
• Interviews, assesses need, advises of community resources, explores options and explains rights and responsibilities.
• Interprets federal and state regulations and local laws.
• Responsible for compliance of service program with federal, state, and local laws and takes action on non-compliance.
• Responsible for identification of problems and coordinating intervention for continuity of care.
• Responsible for providing on-going case maintenance and responding to problems and inquiries regarding eligibility and case status for the Child Care call center.
• Assists families with securing and retaining appropriate child care.
• Maintains caseload by use of an integrated computerized data collection system by direct data entry which includes demographics, child profile, authorization, verification, provider search, placement tracking, progress notes, evaluations, payment issuance, payment reconciliation, due process and other supportive data for compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Represents agency at compliance hearings for varied funding sources.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining communication with internal department staff, community and governmental agencies.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining communication with internal department staff; including Children's Services, Income Maintenance, and Child Support, as well as community and governmental agencies.
• Clears SETS for Child Support income and non-custodial parent demographic information.
• Clears CRIS-E/Ohio Benefits Worker Portal for public assistance eligibility and notifies appropriate parties of disparity in information.
• Participates on departmental special projects, provides feedback on relevant practices and procedures, and provides support as an agency representative for public speaking requests and staff orientation programs as needed.
• Attends necessary conferences and training sessions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Highly Competitive Employee Benefits Package
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Immediately Begin with 40 hours Paid Vacation if No Prior Service
• Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.
• Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Parental Leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Commuter Stipend or Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree