ECONOMIC SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Washingtoncountysheriffwi; Wisconsin; Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability

Job summary

The Washington County Human Services Department in West Bend seeks a full-time Economic Support Specialist to determine initial and continuing eligibility for financial assistance programs across the Moraine Lakes Consortium. The role provides up to 50% remote work based on supervisor approval after demonstrated proficiency.

Responsibilities include interviewing clients, processing applications, reviewing financial documents, and preparing case files for hearings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of technical or college level education and one year of full time work experience in human services, customer service, financial record keeping, or interviewing required.
• Five years of full time work experience in human services, customer service, financial record keeping or interviewing required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts interviews with Moraine Lakes Consortium clients to determine eligibility for programs such as FoodShare, Badger Care, and Medicaid.
• Answers calls in a five-county regional call center, process applications and renewals, and resolve case questions.
• Review client statements and documents, enter data into Cares Worker Web for benefit calculations.
• Determine initial and continued eligibility and benefit levels within program rules with timely notices.
• Maintain electronic and paper case files with clear worker narrations.
• Prepare written summaries and appear at administrative hearings when needed.
• Identify error-prone applications, review files, compute overpayments, and initiate fraud investigations.
• Develop and maintain relations with county staff, partners, state agencies, and the public.
• Attend staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing

Data entry

Financial record keeping

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years of technical or college level education

Five years of full time work experience in human services

Job description

The Washington County Human Services Department, located in West Bend, has an excellent opportunity as a full-time Economic Support Specialist within the Economic Support Division. The Washington County Human Services Department offers responsive and effective community programs to individuals and families challenged by disability, economic hardship, and safety concerns. Under the general direction of the Economic Support Supervisor, the Economic Support Specialist performs duties in the determination of initial and continuing eligibility for, and provision of, financial assistance benefits to agency and consortium clients. This position is up to a 50% remote schedule based on supervisor approval after demonstrating proficiency in the job.

Qualified candidates must possess:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Two years of technical or college level education and one year of full time work experience in human services, customer service, financial record keeping, or interviewing required.

OR

• Five years of full time work experience in human services, customer service, financial record keeping or interviewing required.
• One year of computer experience in data entry, research, or retrieving information preferred.

Starting hourly rate for the Economic Support Specialist is: $24.90

Washington County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts, Wisconsin Retirement System and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (IRS 457)
• Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
• tuition and fitness center reimbursement.

Washington County is recognized for our commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of our community. Our team members embrace the challenge of meeting goals and expectations. Every day we work to creatively problem solve, innovate and collaborate as a team to meet customer needs and deliver solutions.

Our Mission:

We create an environment for residents and businesses to enjoy our authentic quality of life through a well governed and administered county dedicated to safe and secure communities; economic growth and vitality; effective mobility and reliable infrastructure; and access to basic needs.

Our Vision:

Washington County strives to cultivate its rich heritage, vibrant economy and attractive communities through the distinct values that define us.

Our Values:

Respect, Optimism, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Collaboration.

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Economic Support Supervisor, performs duties in the determination of initial and continuing eligibility for, and provision of, financial assistance benefits to agency and consortium clients.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or allinclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conducts interviews with clients in the five county Moraine Lakes Consortium to obtain financial and non-financial information necessary to complete the eligibility determination for programs of public assistance including Foodshare, Badger Care, Child Care, Caretaker Supplement and Medicaid. Includes any and/or all of the following: interactive online applications, discrepancy clarification, benefit reconciliation, assists clients in completing required forms, explains information to clients regarding economic assistance programs and analyzes the needs of the client in order to make necessary referrals to other programs or community resources.
• Answers calls in a 5 county regional call center performing any and all job functions associated with determining eligibility and ongoing case management including completing applications and renewals, responding to case specific questions, identifying and resolving case errors, explaining programs, policies and procedures to clients and making referrals to other community agencies.
• Analyzes, interprets, secures and reviews client statements and documentation such as legal documents, income tax forms, real estate contracts, evidence of immigration status, trust documents, financial records and medical records and enters data into Cares Worker Web for calculation of benefits.
• Determines initial and continued eligibility and benefit levels within specific time limits through reviewing and monitoring the income and assets of clients, analyzing and applying program rules, and ensuring that timely written notification is sent citing appropriate regulations or statutes for granting or denying benefits.
• Establishes and maintains electronic and paper case files, includes written worker narrations to ensure that assistance history, verifications, documentation and correspondence accurately reflect benefit issuances and error corrections.
• Researches, 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 certifications identified as error prone as part of a front-end verification process which includes reviewing case files, computing overpayments, initiating fraud investigations and testifying in court.
• Develops and maintains effective working and public relations with County employees, consortium partners, state agencies, community representatives, contract staff, clients, families and the public.
• Attends staff meetings and participates as scheduled.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Work Direction Received:

Works with minimal supervision under the general direction of the Economic Support Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Decision Making:

Work priorities and other daily activities are assigned. Case specific decisions are made independently through interpretation of program policies.

Interaction:

There is interaction with partner agencies, various community organizations, and the general public.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of applicable State and Federal rules and regulations, local rules, laws and codes regarding Economic Support programs. Ability to make decisions in accordance with rules and regulations of the agency. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, community agencies and staff. Ability to accurately gather and report facts, organize and carry out a broad variety of tasks, meeting deadlines. Working knowledge of mathematical methods and budgeting methods and techniques. Working knowledge of social-economic conditions within the County/region. Working knowledge of community and other resources sufficient to appropriately refer clients to proper resources. Ability to understand and comply with County, State and Federal confidentiality requirements. Ability to work with frequent interruptions, high work load volume, high call center volume and time pressures. Analytical and critical thinking skills are necessary to research and problem solve. Adaptable to ongoing changes in programs and processes. Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing, interact effectively with staff and the general public. Able to fulfill physical demands of job, sensory demands (seeing and hearing) and cognitive demands (concentration, conceptualization, memorization).

Washington County is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of background or identity.