POLICY SPECIALIST HUMAN SERVICE SPECIALIST IV

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at the Maryland Department of Human Services, where your role as a Policy Analyst will be pivotal in enhancing the lives of Marylanders. This position involves monitoring compliance within Family Investment Programs, ensuring payment accuracy, and developing actionable plans to address any deficiencies. You'll engage in meaningful research, provide policy clarifications, and contribute to staff training. This is an opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and strives to meet the needs of the community. If you're passionate about making a difference and have a background in human services, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Plans

Personal Leave

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Parental Leave

Holidays

Pension

Telework Eligibility

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in human services program administration required.
• Bachelor's degree can substitute for some experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor compliance in Family Investment Programs and create corrective action plans.
• Respond to inquiries and provide policy clarification.

Skills

Program Administration

Policy Analysis

Research and Analysis

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

Graduate Level Education in Human Services

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Family Investment Verification System

Job description

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than one million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

GRADE: ASTD15

LOCATION OF POSITION: Baltimore County Department of Social Services, Family Investment Division – Job Network, 6401 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212

Main Purpose of Job: The position is a Policy Analyst and is responsible for monitoring compliance in critical areas of Family Investment Programs, including increasing payment accuracy and creating corrective action plans to address deficiencies in Family Investment Programs. This includes investigating Family Investment Program activities, providing policy clarification, and providing comprehensive findings to the Assistant Director.

POSITION DUTIES:

1. Respond verbally and in writing to all inquiries related to program policy and procedures.
2. Write requests for procedural clarification for Baltimore County Department of Social Services.
3. Review action transmittals, policy and procedure directives from the Department of Human Services and Department of Health for policy implementation, which includes providing clarity and written procedures for staff, creating training materials, and providing staff training.
4. Research cases and determine accuracy of eligibility determinations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Experience: Seven years of experience, three years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations and an additional four years of professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in a human services related field at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to six years of the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or Administrative Officer specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical and Office Services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

1. One year of experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Eligibility and Enrollment program system software.
2. One year of experience creating management reports and utilizing the Family Investment Verification System.
3. One year of experience determining eligibility for Family Investment programs.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION: Limited to current Department of Human Services Family Investment Administration employees only.

SELECTION PROCESS: Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

BENEFITS: As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost:

1. Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
2. Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
3. Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
4. Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
5. Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year.
6. Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
7. Positions may be eligible for telework.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS: The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Cynthia McMillian, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Room 1116-F, Baltimore, MD 21201. Or email [e-mail]; voice 410-767-7199. All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to [e-mail]. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or [e-mail]. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.