Income Maintenance CaseWorker I

Cumberland-County,-Nc; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumberland County Department of Social Services is seeking a dedicated Eligibility Worker to help customers complete applications and determine eligibility for programs such as Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid, and Childcare. You will interview clients, verify data, and apply program rules to decide eligibility while referring complex cases to supervisors when needed.

The role emphasizes customer service, data accuracy, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Human Services Technology or related field, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• High school diploma with 2+ years in income maintenance or related public contact roles.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers with completing applications and determining eligibility for multiple benefit programs (Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance, Childcare, Energy Assistance, Medicaid).
• Assist customers with EPASS and/or paper applications; interview customers and verify information to determine eligibility.
• Exercise prudent judgment to decide eligibility and refer complex cases to Lead worker or Supervisor when needed.
• Respond to disasters as required per Cumberland County DSS policy; possible duties beyond stated tasks.

Skills

Mathematical reasoning

Verbal communication

Interviewing

Data gathering

Education

Associate degree in Human Services Technology or related field

High school diploma + 2+ years income maintenance experience

Job description

This position is located in the Economic Services section.

The worker in this position is primarily responsible for assisting customers with completing applications and determining eligibility for benefit programs to include but not limited to Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance, Childcare, Energy Assistance, and Medicaid (Adult & Family). This worker is responsible for assisting customers with EPASS and/or paper applications, interviewing the customer, verifying information, and determining if the customer meets benefit programs eligibility requirements. This worker must use the timeframes and guidelines set by each benefit program to determine eligibility for customers. This worker is expected to make the final decision in determining eligibility by exercising prudent judgment and being able to recognize situations that should be referred to the Lead worker or Supervisor for disposition.

The worker in this position must be human services oriented and possess the ability to interact well with supervisors, co-workers and customers in a professional manner. The worker in this position must be very flexible and strive to meet key performance metrics which provide services which are timely and accurately. The ability to work in a team environment is essential for this program.

This worker must respond to disasters as needed in accordance with The Cumberland County DSS policy, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster or upon the declaration of a state of emergency by the Cumberland County Emergency Management Office.

The worker in this position may be required to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor when deemed necessary.

Graduation from an accredited associate degree program in Human Services Technology, Social Services Associate, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum; or graduation from high school and two 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 with at least one year of such experience being in an income maintenance program; or graduation from high school and three years of paraprofessional, clerical or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, the gathering and compiling of data, the analysis of data and/or the performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Good mathematical reasoning and computational skills. Ability to communicate with clients, applicants, and the public to obtain data, and to explain and interpret rules, policies, and procedures. Ability to understand the needs and problems of clients/applicants. Ability to learn the program area of assignment and all agency programs and services which could affect the client/applicant.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The selected applicant will be subject to the following conditions prior to appointment. Failure to complete or fulfill these conditions may result in dismissal.

Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or a confirmed positive test shall be a basis for withdrawal of the conditional employment offer.

Law enforcement background check is required.

This position will require assisting in emergency and/or disaster situations.

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services has a dress code policy that must be adhered to. This policy includes specific guidelines related tattoos and body piercing.

College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Prior to employment start date, an official transcript must be presented in its original unopened envelope.

MISSION

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services stands united to strengthen individuals and families and to protect children and vulnerable adults. We collaborate with our community partners to provide programs and services which engage our customers in improving their quality of life.

VISION

We envision our Department... as a catalyst for improving quality of life through teamwork, partnership, forward thinking, and cutting-edge service delivery. We envision our customers...as partners, motivated and empowered to improve their quality of life.

Our Core Standards & Values

A quality customer experience, business operations and employee experience represents our three Core Standards that guide our principles and values. We have identified eight core values and validating behaviors that define our Departments: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Diversity, Innovation, Optimism, Integrity and Flexibility.