Social Welfare Examiner - HELP Program

Livingston County, NY; Town of Mount Morris (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Livingston County, NY is seeking a Social Welfare Examiner for the HELP Program. The role involves determining financial eligibility, reviewing applications, and advising clients on eligibility and grant timing.

Training, education, and licensure requirements are outlined in the Typical Qualifications. Responsibilities include interviewing applicants, budgeting, referrals to services, and ensuring compliance with program rules.

Qualifications

• Applicant must clearly show training, education, experience and/or licensure stated in the Typical Qualifications.
• Work involves determining financial eligibility and interviewing applicants.
• Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class.
• Position is Social Welfare Examiner – HELP Program.
• Residency in Livingston County is not required, but Livingston County residents receive preference.

Responsibilities

• Reviews the certification form to ensure statements are complete and consistent with other information.
• Evaluates applicant's financial eligibility and initial categorical eligibility.
• Prepares and computes budget for the applicant.
• Advises applicant about eligibility, grant timing, and applicable program.
• Makes referrals to social services or other specialists as needed.
• Responds to applicant inquiries and explains the validation process.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing

Financial evaluation

Investigations

Education

Associates degree

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:

• Livingston County, or
• One of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS: In order for an application to be approved, the applicant must clearly show the training, education, experience, and/or licensure/certification stated in the Typical Qualifications. All qualifying information must appear on the application form. No credit will be given for a Work Experience description that is unclear.

The work involves responsibility for determining financial eligibility, categorical classification, continued financial eligibility and income maintenance for applicants. The work involves the review and evaluation of applications and records and direct interviews with applicants. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class. Work is performed under the supervision of a higher ranking Social Welfare Examiner. A Social Welfare Examiner – HELP Program does related work as assigned.

• Reviews the certification form to determine that all statements are complete and consistent with every other item of information provided;
• Where necessary for clarification or completion of certification form, asks applicant appropriate questions and makes necessary additions or corrections on the form;
• Makes an evaluation of applicant's financial eligibility for assistance, may determine initial categorical eligibility, and evaluates available resource details in relation to financial eligibility;
• Prepares and computes budget for the applicant;
• Advises applicant of the eligibility determination, the amount of assistance, and when the first grant can be expected;
• Advises the applicant about the program under which they are eligible for assistance and any documentation or additional information which is necessary for final program classification;
• Recommends emergency grants as needed;
• Makes re-determinations of financial eligibility;
• Explains the validation process to the applicant;
• Advises the applicant about their duty to keep the agency informed of any change in status which may affect eligibility for assistance;
• Informs applicants about the range of services in the agency;
• If mandatory, requested by applicant/client, or need for services is indicated, refers applicant/client to social services section, or to other specialists, such as resources, housing, employment, legal, medical, etc.;
• Makes referrals for full field investigation where presumption of fraud is indicated;
• Serves as primary contact for solving applicant/client inquiries;
• Adheres to departmental customer service standards;
• Responds to and analyzes applicant/client complaints; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Working knowledge of federal, state and local social services laws and programs as they affect eligibility for financial assistance and money payments; familiarity with other laws as they affect eligibility, such as workers' compensation, social security and unemployment insurance; familiarity with interview techniques and principles; skill in interviewing; good customer service skills; skill in computer use; ability to get along with others; ability to deal effectively with others; ability to analyze facts obtained and use facts in making judgments regarding eligibility; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to maintain confidentiality; good powers of observation and perception; initiative; tact and courtesy; good judgment; sensitivity to the reaction of others; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:

Qualification Option #1

• Training/Education: Possession of an Associates degree
• General experience: None required.
• Supervisory experience: N.A.
• License/Certification: None required.
• Other requirements: N.A.

Qualification Option #2

• Training/Education: Possession of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma.
• General experience: Two years of full-time, paid experience in interviewing persons regarding financial matters; evaluating financial data; and/or conducting financial investigations to determine the person’s eligibility for benefits or financial obligations by applying established eligibility and/or obligation criteria.
• Supervisory experience:
• License/Certification:
• Other requirements:

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.

Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.

A higher degree is also acceptable.

Social Welfare Examiner - HELP Program – NC in County Service

SPECIAL NOTE: This is a position in the non-competitive class. An appointee will attain permanent competitive status as a Social Welfare Examiner, without examination, upon the HELP Program ending and one year of service with satisfactory ratings.

NOTE: Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given preference in the hiring process.

Livingston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.