Income Maintenance Caseworker I

Buncombe County; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Buncombe County is seeking an Income Maintenance Caseworker I to provide accurate, timely client support across Health and Human Services programs. The role handles in-person or telephone inquiries, explains services, and gathers data to determine eligibility for Food & Nutrition, Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance.

The position requires an associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in related field and 1 year public contact experience.
• HS diploma or GED with 2 years public contact experience.
• Equivalент combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Answer questions and gather information for service applications or ongoing benefits.
• Explain agency services across HHS programs and route calls to appropriate staff.
• Gather information during interviews to determine eligibility for Food & Nutrition benefits.
• Process changes to client information for Food & Nutrition, Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Interviewing

Data gathering

Negotiation

Communication

Policy interpretation

Adaptability

Referrals

Education

Associate’s degree or HS diploma plus relevant experience

Job description

This job posting expires at 11:59PM onNovember 17, 2026.No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM onNovember 17, 2026.

Job Title:Income Maintenance Caseworker I

Department:Social Services - Income Maintenance

External Hiring Range:$19.66-$23.66

Compensation Grade:2003

Posted Internally and Externally

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to provide accurate, timely and integrated customer service in person or by telephone to customers across various Health and Human Services programs.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Associate’s degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum and one (1) year of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or High school diploma or GED, and two (2) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Additional Training and Experience:

English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Answer questions and gather information from new and established customers in support of an application for services or ongoing services/benefits.
• Explain Agency services across a variety of HHS program areas and transfer calls/route customers to appropriate staff within HHS as needed.
• Gather information from clients through the interview process for the purpose of determining applicant eligibility for Food & Nutrition (FNS) benefits.
• Process changes to client information for Food & Nutrition (FNS), Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance (WFFA).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of agency programs and staff.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures and the ability to effectively use various software applications and office equipment.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations regarding handling of customer’s charts and customer-related communications.
• Ability to receive people in a courteous, caring, and professional manner at all times.
• Skills in clear communication, problem solving and decision making.
• Ability to read, comprehend and apply rules and regulations and often changing policies and guidelines pertaining to eligibility programs.
• Ability to interpret agency policies and procedures to people of varied social, economic, and educational backgrounds to obtain data for documentation and verification of information needed.
• Ability to detect the customers need for other agency services and make appropriate referrals.
• Ability to learn the intricacies of numerous forms and procedures related to public assistance programs

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.