INCOME MAINTENANCE CASEWORKER II-FOOD & NUTRITION

Bladen County; Elizabethtown (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Bladen County is seeking a paraprofessional to determine or redetermine eligibility for financial, medical, food, or shelter assistance. The role supports the Department of Social Services with case management, policy interpretation, and client inquiries in daily operations.

Responsibilities include interviewing applicants, verifying income and program requirements, processing changes, and maintaining confidential records.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Human Services or related field required.
• One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker preferred.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required.
• Strong data entry and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform specialized case management in support of Social Services operations.
• Interview applicants and determine eligibility for programs including Medicaid.
• Process referrals, applications, changes and reviews in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate client records and prepare required reports.
• Provide information and referrals to clients for health and social services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Data entry accuracy

Computer proficiency

Ability to work under stress

Education

Associate’s Degree in Human Services or related field

Tools

Office software (Word/Excel)

Job description

To perform paraprofessional work involving determination or redetermination of the eligibility of applicants or recipients requesting financial, medical, food assistance, or shelter assistance. (This position can be considered for an Income Maintenace Caseworker I-Work Against Salary $34,047.00- $37, 108.50).

• Performs specialized case management services in support of Department of Social Services operations.
• Interprets and ensures compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations pertaining to assigned department programs; assists in providing policy training for department staff as necessary.
• Receives and responds to client / potential client inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints regarding department programs, services and related application processes.
• Schedules appointments with, interviews and determines the eligibility of program applicants based on employment / income information obtained as it applies to government program policies and requirements; verifies information received through various sources; and determines and verifies Medicaid eligibility.
• Processes referrals, applications, changes and reviews in a timely manner.
• Assists outside agencies with client eligibility determination as requested.
• Screens clients for substance abuse, emotional health issues, family and domestic violence; provides information and appropriate referrals to clients for various health and social services.
• Completes front-end investigations of child support cases; completes necessary legal documents; researches prior court orders, payments made and absent parent information; determines level of child support cooperation; calculates past paid public assistance.
• Evaluates individuals no longer receiving Work-First in all Medicaid programs; refers individuals to adult Medicaid programs and completes necessary paperwork.
• Maintains accurate and complete client / program records; enters and verifies data entries for accuracy and completeness.
• Develops mutual responsibility agreement plans for clients; monitors client compliance, including school attendance and completion of assigned hours of work and activities.
• Evaluates client requests for hardship exemptions and extensions; sets hearing dates and documents hearing results; completes case as determined by hearing officer.
• Gathers information for and prepares a variety of records and reports required by the County and/or other agencies.
• Answers the telephone; provides information and assistance to callers and/or routes calls to appropriate personnel; takes messages as necessary.
• Greets and assists office visitors.
• Performs a variety of other clerical duties in support of department activities, which preparing various reports and records, compiling information and data, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, processing daily mail, entering and retrieving computer data, etc.
• Operates a variety of equipment, which includes a computer, printer, typewriter, fax machine, copier, telephone, calculator, postage machine, etc.; uses clerical and computer supplies.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, other County personnel, other government agencies, clients and family members, and the general public.
• Attends meetings, training, workshops, etc., as required to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• May assist with special projects or programs as assigned, which may include but is not limited to securing food resources for families in need, training food stamp recipients in using electronic cards, delivering commodities to various County sites, staffing emergency shelters, etc.
• Performs case management duties of co-workers as needed.Performs related duties as required.

• Thorough knowledge in the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County pertaining to specific duties of the IM Caseworker II.
• Thorough knowledge interviewing skills and ability to maintain positive rapport with clients.
• Knowledge of the processes involved in determining client eligibility for government social services.
• Knowledge of administrative, bookkeeping, organizational, customer service and clerical activities.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and equipment.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling; has knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Skilled in applying responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing records and reports.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information.
• Ability to maintain accurate, up-to-date and confidential client records.
• Ability to offer training, instruction, leadership and advice to co-workers regarding departmental policies, methods and regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to use computers for data and word processing and records management.
• Ability to type accurately at a rate sufficient for the successful performance of assigned duties.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of office equipment as necessary in the performance of daily activities.
• Ability to read, and verify for completeness, financial / insurance records and various other documents pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to use independent judgment in performing routine and non-routine tasks.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to offer assistance to fellow employees as necessary.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Ability to perform duties in a courteous manner and with the utmost integrity in the best interest of the public.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions as required.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

Minimum Education and Experience Associate’s Degree from an accredited college in Human Services, Business Administration, Paralegal Technology, or related area and one years’ experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

Valid North Carolina Driver’s License

Trainee

Work Against- (Salary $34,047.00- $37, 108.50).

This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. Bladen County reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.

BLADEN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER