Economic Support Specialist

Brown County, WI; Green Bay (WI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown County Health and Human Services seeks an Economic Support Specialist to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Badgercare Plus, FoodShare, and Child Care assistance. You will interview clients, collect data, compute budgets, and input data into the statewide processing system.

Telework may be considered after successful training; you will prepare budgets and advise clients on benefits, rights and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in a business or human services related field, plus two years of professional experience in dealing with the public, and experience using a computer.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures regarding economic assistance programs.
• Strong data entry and budgeting abilities with attention to accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients to collect financial and non-financial information for eligibility and needs assessment.
• Record and input data into statewide computer processing systems.
• Prepare and monitor clients' monthly budget computations using complex formulas.
• Explain programs, rights and responsibilities to clients and staff; assist with forms and inquiries.
• Maintain electronic and paper case files reflecting benefit issuances and corrections.
• Review applications and re-certifications identified as error prone; refer cases for investigation.

Skills

Interviewing clients

Budget calculations

Data entry

Communication

Analytical thinking

Computer literacy

Education

Associates Degree in business or human services

Tools

CARES

CWW

KIDS

Forward Health Portal

SAVE

Job description

Brown County Health and Human Services offers exciting challenges, personal growth opportunities and a chance to make a difference, all while preserving a strong work-life balance. As an employee, you will have the opportunity to serve individuals and families within your own community. Come and see all that Brown County has to offer! Our Economic Support Unit is looking for self-motivated, organized and detail-oriented individuals to join our team now!

An Economic Support Specialist determines eligibility for all Economic Support programs including Medicaid, Badgercare Plus, FoodShare, and Child Care assistance. Interviews consumers, collects data, and computes budgets; records and documents information; accesses, prepares and inputs all data into the statewide computer processing system.

Telework may be considered upon successful completion of training.

To help candidates better understand the role of an Economic Support Specialist, a workgroup of Economic Support managers from around the State of Wisconsin worked with Mid-State Technical College to produce this short video. Take a look to see if the role of an Economic Support Specialist might be right for you: Economic Support Specialist Position Video - YouTube

Conducts interviews with clients to obtain financial and non-financial information necessary to determine eligibility, clarifies discrepancies; and analyzes the needs of the client in order to make necessary referrals to other programs.

Secures, analyzes, interprets, and determines validity of client statements and documentation such as legal documents, income tax forms, real estate contracts, evidence of immigration status, trust documents, and financial, medical and employment records; and identifies and investigates questionable information.

Determines initial and continued eligibility and benefits level within specific time limits through reviewing and monitoring the income and assets of clients, analyzing and applying complex program rules, reconciling benefit levels and ensuring that timely written notification is sent citing appropriate regulations or statutes for granting or denying benefits.

Prepares and monitors clients' monthly budget computations using complex mathematical formulas, analysis of automated reports and detailed bookkeeping procedures.

Utilizes multiple complex computer programs and databases to record, research, investigate and verify information; to assist in computing benefit levels; and to record and monitor case activity. Examples include CARES, CWW, KIDS, Forward Health Portal, and SAVE.

Establishes and maintains electronic and paper case files to ensure that assistance history, verification, documentation and correspondence accurately reflect benefit issuances and error corrections.

Answers questions from and provides information and explanations to clients, department staff, and other agencies regarding financial assistance and rights and responsibilities; assists clients in completing forms; and endeavors to adjust complaints.

Researches and prepares written summary and appears as the agency representative at administrative hearings related to the denial, termination, or reduction of economic assistance to a client.

Analyzes applications and re-certifications identified as error prone; refers appropriate cases for investigation.

Develops and maintains effective working and public relations with County employees, community representatives, contract staff, clients, families and the public.

Performs other duties as required, including special projects.

Performs related functions as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Associates Degree in a business or human services related field, plus two years of professional experience in dealing with the public, and experience using a computer; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

• Considerable knowledge of federal, state and county compliance standards, regulations, and eligibility factors of need determination for complex financial assistance.
• Considerable knowledge of the socio-economic factors in the community and ability to relate sensitively to diverse populations.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures regarding economic assistance programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, community agencies, county staff, governmental agencies, contract staff, medical or day-care vendors and the general public.
• Ability to utilize investigative interviewing to obtain necessary information from clients, verification sources and other agencies to maintain detailed records.
• Ability to perform complex mathematical computations and interpret financial and other complex documents.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information to a diverse group of clients both orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze, prepare and maintain detailed, accurate information, records, reports, and other documents.
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in organizing and prioritizing work within program time limits.
• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness in a high volume environment.
• Ability to understand, implement and utilize state of the art computer technologies and programs.
• Ability to gather facts and report them accurately.
• Ability to assimilate and respond constructively to constant change.
• Ability to maintain calm and professional demeanor in high stress and provocative circumstances.
• Ability to work the required hours of the position.