Introduction
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) you join a team of more than 5000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support preventive services and caring for children and adults.
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland we leave no one behind.
This Statewide recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State.
All approved candidates will be placed on this list of eligible candidates in one BestQualified randomized scoring band for at least one year. Placement on this list is not a guarantee that you will be offered an interview for any given vacancy.
GRADE
ASTD10
LOCATION OF POSITION
STATEWIDE
This Statewide recruitment has been opened to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State.
Please indicate the counties in which you are willing to accept employment on your application.
Main Purpose of Job
A Family Investment Specialist I is the entry level of work providing direct services to individual customers or families by determining customer eligibility for multiple Family Investment Administration programs in a local Department of Social Services. Employees in this classification interview customers to explain program requirements and options to collect and complete required documentation to refer customers to other program services or agencies as appropriate and to monitor customer progress and use of assistance. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.
Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Family Investment Specialist Supervisor or other higherlevel administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and may be required to visit customers in their homes or at facilities such as nursing homes group homes and hospitals.
POSITION DUTIES
Learns to interview applicants for Public Assistance Medical Assistance and/or Food Stamps in the Family Investment Administration (FIA) of the Maryland Department of Human Services in order to determine customer eligibility and need for FIA programs;
Learns to explain program requirements and procedures to individual customers or in a group setting;
Learns to elicit information as to family composition employment health status financial obligations parental status and living arrangements;
Learns to calculate incomes and resources to establish benefit level;
Learns to determine program eligibility in accordance with federal State and local laws policies rules and regulations;
Learns to check public records such as birth records and real estate transactions;
Learns to contact individuals employers landlords attorneys financial institutions medical offices and government and community agencies to obtain verify or clarify information required for eligibility determinations such as income resources residency and household composition;
Learns to establish and maintain case records using computerized database systems;
Learns to contact customers regarding discrepancies and refer questionable cases to the fraud unit for further followup;
Learns to monitor case progress and apply appropriate sanctions when necessary;
Learns to provide information on and make referrals to service agencies organizations and vendors for appropriate services and information to meet customer health housing food employment assistance child care and transportation needs;
Learns to serve as a customer advocate;
Learns to provide basic counseling and problem solving support;
May learn to make visits to customers homes to gather information;
May learn to prepare appeal packages or testify in administrative appeals hearings;
Performs other related duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six months of public contact experience involving negotiating interviewing explaining information gathering and compiling data performing analysis of data writing correspondence and completing mathematical or legal tasks.
OR
Six months of general office retail food service construction trades or similar experience including data entry record filing and maintenance multiline phone use general computer skills and email software. General clerical data processing technical or administrative experience is defined as work performing a variety of duties which are clearcut and typically found in office settings such as filing copying inputting data general computer skills and directing telephone calls.
OR
Six months of experience in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Note: These requirements are established by the Family Investment Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article Title 5 Subtitle 2 Section 204 (b)(1) of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Office of Personnel Services and Benefits of the Department of Budget and Management and the Examination Services Unit of the Maryland Department of Human Services do not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.
LICENSES REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operators license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified Better Qualified or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination will consist of a rating of your education training and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.
For education obtained outside the U.S. a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the State of Maryland you will have access to outstanding benefits including: health insurance dental and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS:STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS Personal Leave new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
Annual Leave ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
Sick Leave fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
Parental Leave up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
Holidays State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
Pension State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
Positions may be eligible for telework.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. If the online application process is not available please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to: Department of Human Services Examination Services Unit Attention: Dontia Walker 25 S. Charles Street Suite 1100 Baltimore Maryland 21201. Email tollfree:.
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management Recruitment and Examination Division ator
Do not submit unsolicited documentation.
The paper application must be received by 5 PM on the closing date for the recruitment.TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the States diversity.
Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.
Family Investment Specialist I
