Human Services Specialist I*

Orange-County,-Nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Department of Social Services seeks a Human Services Specialist I to determine client eligibility for public benefits and conduct in-depth interviews with applicants. You will work with intake and processing systems, including NC FAST, to evaluate and recertify benefits as needed.

The role requires applying federal, state, and county regulations with independent judgment, under supervision, and in coordination with the Social Services Supervisor and Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or social work or equivalent.
• High School Diploma or GED with four years of work experience in determining human service eligibility or related public assistance duties.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience; a higher degree does not substitute for work experience.

Responsibilities

• Determine client eligibility for public benefits using intake and processing systems.
• Conduct in-depth interviews to assess needs and eligibility.
• Utilize NC FAST or other automated systems to process applications and recertifications.
• Exercise independent judgment within federal, state, and county guidelines.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or social work

High School Diploma or GED + 4 years relevant experience

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

The Orange County Department of Social Services has several openings for a Human Services Specialist I. The work involves the primary responsibility for determining client eligibility for public benefits. An employee in this class is responsible for using intake and processing systems, utilizing NC FAST or other automated systems and involves in depth interviewing, determining eligibility for benefits, and/or re-certifying recipients for continued benefits, and will exercise independent judgment within the guidelines of established Federal and State government regulations and County procedures.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Human Services Supervisor with oversight and assistance provided by the Human Services Coordinator with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions regarding client needs and requests. Supervision is not a responsibility of this class. Does related work as required.

Hiring range is based on the Orange County Social Services Step Plan. The Step Plan is based on years of Human Services Specialist I experience. Full credit is given for years of experience performing the same job functions. Partial credit is given for years of experience performing related job functions. The top half of the scale is reserved for career employees with senior level experience in the same role.

* SBI background check with fingerprinting is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree human services field or social work; OR
• Possession of a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) test equivalency AND four (4) years of work experience in determining human service eligibility and participatory in the delivery of public assistance programs related experience in human services; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience as stated above. A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of an SBI background check with fingerprinting. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Bilingual ability is preferred.

In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance through these checks, which are mandated for certain roles depending on the nature of the job and applicable laws. Further, all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.

As with all positions with the Department of Social Services, this position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and … Employer