Benefit Programs Specialist II - Frederick County, VA

Hiring Range : $51,183.00 to Commensurate with experience

Full Time or Part Time : Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description

Frederick County Department of Social Services is one of the 120 locally-administered, state-supervised agencies who work in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services to help those in our community most in need.

Our mission is to deliver client centered, quality human services that help the citizens of Frederick County achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being.

Frederick County is located at the tip of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and is in the northernmost corner of the state of Virginia.

The county sits at the mouth of the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west.

Frederick County staff are guided by its values which are to be people focused, committed to excellence and to respect differences so that the agency can continue to provide exceptional and innovative social services to its citizens.

This is an intra-agency Recruitment : This Recruitment is limited to current regular, probationary, restricted, and temporary employees of the LDSS where the vacancy exists.

Minimum Salary $51,183.00 (Commensurate with experience)

Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group.

Employees' responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance,SNAP, medical assistance, and for other social services' benefit programs.

This position is potentially a full-time telework position contingent on applicant's knowledge, skill, and ability.

The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility.

• Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility;
• explains 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; interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs;
• monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines;
• 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;
• identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;
• explains programs and rights / responsibilities of applicants and recipients; explores other possible sources of income;
• computes assistance plans; determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment;

identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers; provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed.

explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and childcare services.

Minimum Qualification

• Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine / re-determine eligibility for benefits;
• eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations, and policies;

mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skill in operating a personal computer and using Microsoft Office Software.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals in person and on the phone;
• interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client's situation, and make referrals; determine a client's ownership share in situations;
• make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps;
• apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports, and manipulate data;
• maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions;

and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

High school diploma supplemented with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in benefit programs, completion of required Benefit Programs training.

Experience with agency related software.

Bilingual in English and Spanish Special Requirements Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search,DMV / driving record check, and / or fingerprinting.

The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police,FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

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

Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Special Instructions to Applicants Frederick County Department of Social Services only accepts applications submitted on-line through this posting.

Mailed, faxed, hand delivered and emailed applications will not be considered. Applications may be submitted on-line through this posting until position is filled.

This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application / resume.

Please refer to yourLocal HR Connect account for the status of your application and this position.