Self-Sufficiency Specialist III

Hiring Range: $59,000.00 to $ 70,000.00

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

General Work Tasks

• Make determinations of eligibility for programs, evaluates data gathered through interviews and client/worker investigations, investigates and verifies client finances, residency, employment resources and related matters, and examines factors of eligibility for consistency, completeness and accuracy to avoid underpayment, overpayments, and fraud. 
• Monitors efficacy, trends of programs, and complete seasonal, quarterly and yearly reports.
• Participate in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students and new employees, teaching classes, and conducting outreach. 
• Provides statistical data and other information to support budget requests.
• Interviews clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determine program eligibility. 
• Explain programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conduct follow-up as needed. 
• Carries a caseload of clients receiving public assistance and employment services that involve complex issues. 
• Develop employment / childcare plans for customers facing the most complex situations. 
• Serves as a resource to staff and the public concerning employment services, VIEW, other public assistance programs, and eligibility requirements. 
• Supervises and develops job readiness and job search workshops. 
• Works with employers in developing job opportunities for clients and hosting job fairs.
• Answers questions related to policies and procedures. 
• Maintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 Knowledge- Considerable knowledge of: 

• Applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures related to public assistance, employment services, and childcare programs. 
• Basic human behavior. 
• Financial assistance programs sufficiently determine benefits eligibility.
• Human services programs and how each interrelates the strategic planning process.
• Mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems.
• Interviewing techniques such as data collection, interrogation, and investigation; and employment services. 

Skills- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. 

Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: 

• Manage complex cases. 
• Apply public assistance, employment services, and childcare programs, policies, and regulations sufficient to make eligibility and employability decisions independently.
• Identify customers’ employment needs and develop employment plans responsive to those needs; speak in public, promoting agency programs.
• Communicate 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 where multi-ownership exists. 
• Assess clients’ needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal, family and cultural information. 
• Use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, 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. 
• 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. 

Education and Experience

High school graduate with additional related work experience in benefit programs and employment service OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Special Requirements

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. 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. This position is covered under Code of Virginia 563.2-1601.1 or 563.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employees must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

 Special Instructions to Applicants

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.

Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete list of work experience and qualifications on the application along with three professional references.

Applications/Resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted.  NO PHONE CALLS ACCEPTED.

This website will provide confirmation or receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Starting salary $59,000.00, could be high depending on qualifications and experience.