Self-Sufficiency Specialist I

Self Sufficiency Specialist I

Salary Range: $40770-$75793

Job Title and Description

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I represents the entry level in the Self-Sufficiency Specialist occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in 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 and having advanced experience in determining initial and ongoing eligibility for TANF SNAP and Medicaid. Upon recommendation by the supervisor approval by the director and successful completion of the training program the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Self-Sufficiency Specialist II and becomes eligible for a salary increase if/as indicated by the local departments compensation plan. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. This level is distinguished from the Self-Sufficiency Specialist II by the latters performing all the assigned eligibility and employment service duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal state or local laws and policies.

General Work Tasks

• Explains the employment services program

• Makes assessments of customer needs and develops employment plans utilizing job search work experience education and training.

• Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.

• 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;

Qualifications-Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of applicable laws codes policies and procedures related to public assistance; including SNAP Medicaid and TANF initial application processing and ongoing caseload management basic employment services some knowledge of: 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 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 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 and re-evaluate each clients situation and make referrals; determine a clients ownership share in situations where multi-ownership exists; asses clients needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal family and cultural information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment discretion tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records access and retrieve data create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; 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.

Education and Experience

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience to include advanced experience with public assistance programs to include; SNAP Medicaid and TANF or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities.

Special Requirements

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search Central Registry searchDMV/driving record check and must be able to meet agencyinsurance policy standards. and/or pre-employment drug screen.

The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State PoliceFBI) local agency checks employment verification and references verification of education (relevant to employment) credit checks (relevant to employment)and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and providepersonal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications/resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed emailed faxed or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information provided. The agency will not be conducting phone interviews. Please refer to your LHRC account for the status of your application and this position. Selected applicants will be contacted by the phone number and/or email listed on application/resume.

Contact Information

Name Marie Hopkins

Phone:

Email:

Address:Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District

110 North Mason Street Harrisonburg Virginia 22802