Self-Sufficiency Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services; Courtland (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services seeks an entry-level Self-Sufficiency Specialist I to assist in determining eligibility for social services programs and assessing client employability. Training is provided to advance to Self-Sufficiency Specialist II with increased responsibilities.

Under supervision, you will develop employment plans, explain services, and help clients access resources, while maintaining case records in line with regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus related training/experience or an equivalent combination.
• Ability to interview, gather information, and evaluate situations.
• Proficiency with basic office software and data handling.

Responsibilities

• Explains the employment services program.
• Makes assessments of customer needs and develops employment plans.
• Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.
• Monitors case reports/records in accordance with regulations.
• Explains the child care program and makes assessments of customer needs.
• Interviews persons for assistance and obtains necessary information.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods.
• Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income.
• Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability.
• Refer clients to service worker after assessment.
• Prepares reports and maintains client records.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Effective communication

Data gathering

Education

High school diploma + training/experience

Tools

Office software

Job description

Titles Description-

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I represents the entry level in the Self-Sufficiency Specialist occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self sufficiency. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Self-Sufficiency Specialist II and becomes eligible for a salary increase if/as indicated by the local department’s compensation plan. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. This level is distinguished from the Self-Sufficiency Specialist II by the latter’s performing all the assigned eligibility and employment service duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –

• Explains the employment services program
• Makes assessments of customer needs and develops employment plans, utilizing job search, work experience, education and training.
• Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.
• Monitors case reports/records in accordance with regulations.
• Explains the child care program and makes assessments of customer needs.
• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information;
• Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion;
• Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods;
• Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income;
• Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
• Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation;
• Prepares reports and maintains client records;

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge-

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skills-

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Abilities-

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Education and Experience-

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.