Benefit Programs Specialist II

L-179-Stafford Dept Of Social Services; Virginia; Sur place; USD 56 000 - 61 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Stafford County DSS in Virginia seeks a Benefit Programs Specialist II to determine and re-determine eligibility for financial assistance, food stamps, medical aid, and related social services. The role requires applying policies with independent judgment in complex cases and providing clear information to clients.

The position utilizes automated systems and manual methods, emphasizing accuracy, confidentiality, and client-focused service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public service programs and eligibility rules.
• Ability to handle data using automated systems and manual methods.
• Experience serving diverse populations with confidentiality.

Responsabilités

• Interviews applicants for assistance and re-determines continuing eligibility.
• Explains benefit programs and determines needs for assistance.
• Processes applications and determines eligibility using automated and manual methods.
• Presents program rules and interprets policies applicable to the programs.
• Monitors cases for changes and updates benefit levels within guidelines.

Connaissances

Communication skills

Interviewing

Mathematical calculations

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Formation

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in human services or related field

Outils

VaCMS

MMIS

VDSS software

Description du poste

Hiring Range

$56,222.00 to $61,464.00

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time

Additional Detail

Title Description

Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. 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. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs.

About working in Stafford County DSS

https://vimeo.com/910172119

Stafford County Website

https://www.staffordcountyva.gov/

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only)

• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility;


• Explains 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;


• Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs;


• Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines;


• 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; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;


• Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients;


• Explores other possible sources of income;


• Computes assistance plans;


• Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment;


• Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers;


• Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed.


• Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and child care services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge- Working knowledge of: practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits using regulations and guidelines.

Experience providing customer service to the public including the ability to interview and gather information.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software to research, scan and retrieve data, create and manipulate reports to establish, process, and maintain case records.

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, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; 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.

Education and Experience

Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits using regulations and guidelines.

Experience providing customer service to the public including the ability to interview and gather information.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software to research, scan and retrieve data, create and manipulate reports to establish, process, and maintain case records.

High school diploma supplemented with experience in human services or any equivalent combination of training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in benefit programs evaluatingand processing SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid cases.

Experience with VaCMS, MMIS, or any VDSS agency related software programs.

Bachelor's degree in a human services field, public administration, sociology or any related field.

Special Requirements

Applicants will be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and pre-employment drug/alcohol screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks, employment verification/references & credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent uponsatisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.