Self-Sufficiency Specialist I

New LHRC External Career Site; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Culpeper County Department of Social Services is seeking an entry-level Self-Sufficiency Specialist I to assist with determining eligibility for social services and assessing client employability under supervision. The role trains employees to progress to Self-Sufficiency Specialist II and may involve responsibilities across Employment Services and Benefits.

Responsibilities include explaining programs, interviewing clients, processing applications for assistance, maintaining records, and

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of human behavior and data collection techniques.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and analysis.
• Experience with interviewing techniques and information gathering.

Responsibilities

• Explain the employment services program.
• Assess customer needs and develop employment plans using job search, work experience, education and training.
• Establish and monitor self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.
• Monitor case reports/records in accordance with regulations.
• Explain the child care program and assess customer needs.
• Interview individuals for assistance and collect necessary information.
• Explain temporary assistance benefit programs and determine need for assistance.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Determine eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using systems and methods.
• Evaluate employability status and explore sources of income.
• Explain client responsibilities and program availability; refer clients to service workers as needed.
• Prepare reports and maintain client records.

Skills

Human behavior basics

Mathematics basics

Interview techniques

Education

High school diploma

Related training/experience

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.

Special Requirements-

All applicants are subject to employment verification and reference checks, verification of education, a DMV/driving record check, Central Registry check and criminal history check to evaluate for barrier crimes as described in the Code of Virginia§63.2-1719.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work inthe community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Employees must also meet local vehicle insurance requirements.

FLSA:non-exempt

Employee Benefits

Benefits | Culpeper County VA

Culpeper Department Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.