Self- Sufficiency Specialist II

Job Title: Self Sufficiency Specialist

Department: Social Services

Pay Grade: 211

Salary Range: $49655 $64550

FLSA Status: NonExempt

The City of Fredericksburg Department of Social Services (FDSS) is recruiting for a Self Sufficiency Specialist whodetermines program eligibility for certain public assistance programs requiring a high level of case you ready for a challenging but rewarding job where you can Work with a Purpose in a positive work environment If so then read on!

Title Description SelfSufficiency Specialist II represents the full performance level in the occupational group for SelfSufficiency 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 SelfSufficiency Specialist II is distinguished from the SelfSufficiency Specialist III by the latters 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.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) 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 selfsufficiency 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; and 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.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Knowledge Working knowledge of: practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State Local and Federal guidelines regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions; economic and human behavior; financial assistance programs; mathematics to calculate percentages formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation. Skills Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. Abilities Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both 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 reevaluate each clients situation and make referrals; determine a clients ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; make eligibility and employability decisions; independently identify customers employment needs and develop employment plans; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; 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.

Summary of Duties:

The Self Sufficiency Specialist performs a higher level of technical administrative counseling and case management duties for an assigned caseload of clients served by the City Social Services Department. Programs include SNAP Medicaid TANF Refugee Cash Assistance and the Fraud Management program.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent;
• Two (2) years of experience working with the general public in a local department of social services
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check to include a clean search of the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry (no current findings or cases associated to you).
• A valid state drivers license that meets the standards for the City of Fredericksburg.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working for a Social Services department.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office software.
• Knowledge of DSS case management systems.
• Prefer applicant to be fluent in a language other than English.

The City of Fredericksburg is a great place to work. Come join our knowledgeable and energetic team which is committed to theCitys Core Valuesof Agile Innovation Abundant Compassion Outstanding Customer Service Energized Work Environment Essential Engagement and Unwavering Stewardship. In addition to offering a great work environment telework and competitive salary the City of Fredericksburg provides a generous benefits package. The City is a member of the Virginia Retirement System and offers competitive health dental and vision insurance as well as generous vacation/sick leave benefits and 13 paid holidays a year.

The City of Fredericksburg provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Fredericksburg VA