Self-Sufficiency Specialist I

Hiring Range: $35,452.00 to Commensurate with experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I represent 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. 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.

Self-Sufficiency Specialist II represents the full performance level in the Self-Sufficiency Specialist occupational group for employees to include additional duties of job development: cultivating relationships with employers and community  organizations to identify job opportunities for clients, coordinates job placements, including arranging interviews, conducting follow-up meetings, and supporting clients during the transition into employment, and negotiate job offers, ensuring fair compensation and appropriate accommodations, if necessary. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level, and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions). 

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 childcare program and makes assessments of customer needs.
• Interviews persons for assistance to include SNAP, TANF, Child-Care & Medicaid; obtains necessary information and processes applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance.
• 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.
• Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as SNAP, TANF, & Medicaid.
• Prepares reports and maintains client records.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge- Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions; economic and human behavior; financial assistance programs; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation. 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skills in operating a personal computer.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Training and/or experience in benefits programs, Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare Program, Childcare Program, Virginia Automated Case Management System, and/or experience working in a Local Department of Social Services. 

Degree in Human Services or related field or a degree in any field with related human services experience.

Special Requirements:

Based on the response to this posting, this position may be filled as a Self-Sufficiency Specialist I or a Self-Sufficiency II. All applicants are subject to a DMV driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, and CPS and criminal history search. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks requested by the hiring authority. Employee must be willing to work in community emergency response capacity in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience and qualifications on the application. 
• Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. 
• The website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. 
• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume. 
• Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position. This position is open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer