Sr. Benefit Programs Supervisor

City of Portsmouth; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Portsmouth seeks a supervisory administrator in Benefits within Social Services. You will oversee Benefit Programs Supervisors, monitor case actions, and help manage financial services programs to meet federal and state standards.

The role involves staff development, performance management, complex case consultations, and representing the agency on committees. You will coordinate with partners to ensure efficient service delivery to applicants.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of local, state and federal laws governing multiple benefit programs.
• Strong understanding of human services and casework principles.
• Ability to supervise, guide and develop staff; manage budgets and performance.

Responsibilities

• Supervises Benefit Programs Supervisors and monitors case actions.
• Participates in planning and management of Financial Services programs; ensures compliance with standards.
• Oversees expenditures, staff development, and performance management.
• Provides consultations on difficult cases and advises staff on complex issues.
• Represents the agency on committees and task forces; public relations duties.

Skills

Supervision

Budget planning

Policy interpretation

Interpersonal skills

Public administration

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in sociology, human services or related field

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, performs supervisory and administrative duties in multiple benefit programs administered through Social Services. Reports to the Chief of Benefits.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Supervises Benefit Programs Supervisors and monitors and reviews case actions of their assigned units; participates in planning and managing the administration of all Financial Services programs and procedures ensuring Federal and State quality and quantity performance standards are achieved and maintained; develops, implements and monitors departmental management plans; and provides input recommendations on bureau or agency level budget issues.

Responsible for the effective supervision and administration to include monitoring expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities.

Assists staff with difficult and complex cases to include providing consultations with employees, handling some cases personally and making decisions on controversial cases; and advises staff on difficult issues and makes decisions on exceptional cases to manage and implement appropriate services and assistance.

Serve on various committees and task force groups; attends training sessions, unit meetings, make presentations to groups and involved in other public relations activities and assist with special projects; attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the agency on committees or task force groups; develops and maintains rapport with customers, other organizations and the general public; and makes service referrals within the department and to other agencies as needed and resolves a variety of customer’s concerns.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job:

Has thorough knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing multiple benefit programs. Has thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of multiple benefit programs, as administered through Social Services programs. Has thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to multiple benefit casework problems. Has thorough knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with multiple benefit programs. Has considerable knowledge of other programs administered through Social Services, and through community human services agencies or volunteer groups. Has considerable knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community. Has considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration. Has general knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of public administration. Has general knowledge of the literature, trends and developments in the field of human service administration and in multiple benefit programs. Is able to plan, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees. Is able to use common office machines, including computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of multiple benefit programs in terms understood by applicants and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and discretion in contact with program applicants and customers, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work:

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department and division, and with co- workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under “Essential Job Functions.”

Dependability:

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:

Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time? off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic, self?reliant and self?starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Seeks expert or experienced advice when necessary.

Relationships with Others:

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees and the public.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

Safety and Housekeeping:

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly work place.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, human services or a related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in human services program eligibility or case management, with 2-3 years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge skills, and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check and sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines, which include computers, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for extended periods of time.

Data Conception:

Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication:

Requires the ability to speak and or signal people to conveyor exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.

Language Ability:

Requires the ability to read a variety of checks, reports, records etc. Requires the ability to prepare letters, purchase orders, payment request, checks, etc. using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence. Ability to make presentations.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; to deal with nonverbal symbolism in its most difficult phases; to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables; to comprehend the most abstruse classes of concepts.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English and using administrative, behavioral, and human services terminology.

Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; to determine percentages; to calculate interest, profit and loss, proportions, etc.; and to perform calculations involving variables, formulas, square roots and polynomials.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using a variety of office equipment.

Manual Dexterity:

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination:

Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication:

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

FLSA Status: Exempt

EEO Cat: 2