Benefit Programs Specialist I

Hiring Range: $51,698.17 to $66,555.05

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

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General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for determining eligibility for public assistance programs and services to include securing and verifying case information. Reports to the Benefits Programs Supervisor.
 

Interviews individuals to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs; explains scope of multiple benefit programs and determines eligibility for assistance; explains applicant's rights and responsibilities; reads, interprets, and applies policies and procedures; secures and verifies financial, social and employment data from applicant; assists applicants/recipients in completing required forms, as necessary.
 
Processes applications by collecting and analyzing data received from customers and various electronic sources.  Establish and maintain electronic case files by utilizing documentary evidence to substantiate case determinations while keeping customers informed of case status.  Manages assigned cases by organizing workload, establishing priorities, ensuring that established deadlines are met, and prepares monthly reports.
 
Evaluates information received from applicants/recipients and various other sources for consistency, accuracy and completeness; determines employability of client; explores possible sources of income for client, refers customers to resources to become self-sufficient.
 
Identifies suspected fraud cases; prepares summaries of facts for fraud and overpayment and submit to the fraud investigator;  represents the agency in hearings and court appeals, responds to state, federal and internal case review inquiries, reviews program and policy manuals, and prepares reports as needed.
 
Attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the agency on committees or task force groups. 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of Job: Has general knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing multiple benefit programs, as applicable. Has general knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of multiple benefit programs as administered through Social Services programs. Has general knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community.  Has some knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with multiple benefit programs. Has some knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of public administration. Is able to use common office machines, including computers and electronic 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 communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of multiple benefit programs in terms understood by applicants/ recipients and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and discretion in contact with program applicants/recipients 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.
 
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 with all co-workers and the general 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 for 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 the 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. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
 
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of it. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified i.e., poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc.
 
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, program customers, professionals 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 on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for appointments, 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 workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

High School Diploma or equivalent and considerable experience collecting and reviewing documentation and information or case management; or or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities listed previously.

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

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

 Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

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.

Physical Demands

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 compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
 
Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants.
 
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
 
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
 
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 in a variety of technical or professional languages, including legal, medical and insurance terminology.
 
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; compute discount or interest.
 
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 automated office equipment.
 
Manual Dexterity:  Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
 
Color Discrimination: Does not require 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 minimal levels of stress 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).