Salary : $54,275.27 - $81,412.90 Annually Location : Monroe, NC Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 531262 Department: Social Services Opening Date: 06/25/2024 General Statement The Senior Eligibility Specialist, under general supervision, is responsible for serving in eligibility roles in a County Department of Social Services. The eligibility programs involved include Food and Nutrition Services, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF (Work First in NC)), Medicaid, County Special Assistance, and Subsidized Childcare. Employees serve in one of the following roles: (1) A lead worker over eligibility caseworkers or as lead worker over a unit of a single program area which performs all functions (i.e., intake, processing, and review). Work may also include performing the same eligibility determination functions as the Eligibility Specialists and Technicians. Employees are required to spend at least 25 percent of their time in a lead worker capacity. (2) Performing a wide range of tasks in the eligibility determination/re-determination process which require an in-depth knowledge of all eligibility programs and functional processes. Work also involves the resolving of client appeals of actions taken by eligibility caseworkers, the analysis of program-wide problem areas which include recommendations for corrective action and the training of new and transitional employees for specialized programs (i.e., LIEAP). (3) Performing eligibility determinations and ongoing caseload management in Long Term Care Medicaid and Special Assistance. (4) Functioning with a great deal of independence in a hospital or medical setting with the responsibility for performing a variety of complex tasks and functions in the Medicaid programs which include performing two or more functions in the long-term care programs. Employees assume responsibility for the resolution of complex problems where the consequence of their action can have a considerable effect on the client, the medical institution and/or the agency. Employees are viewed by the medical institution's administrative staff as the primary contact for problem resolution. Essential Functions Performs difficult work involving the determination or redetermination of the eligibility of applicants or recipients requesting financial, medical or specializing in Long Term Care Assistance, Special Assistance, Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Community Alternative Program (CAP), or Adult Medicaid through the Department of Social Services. Gathers and reviews household income, financial resources, and residency date, to compute budgets. Reviews forms, verifies information through telephone calls, and correspondence with local government representatives, employers, attorneys, and other similar contacts. Explains program requirements and options and advise or refer client to other programs or services as appropriate. Processes the applications of clients applying for benefits. Advises and counsels lower level staff on policies and regulations of the income maintenance program(s) which affect the more complex cases. Determines and/or re-determines client eligibility for the Eligibility programs. Processes client applications for all other income maintenance programs and the provision of technical expertise to hospital administrators and professional staff on issues impacting upon client eligibility for medical assistance as provided by the Medicaid programs. Refers to the Eligibility program manuals in performing functions required to complete the eligibility determination process. Responds to inquiries from clients and citizens regarding benefits, application process, and/or program eligibility: provides information and assistance. Produces weekly and monthly reports. Trains newly hired caseworkers on Eligibility program policy, NC FAST navigation, various third party systems, and internal agency procedures. Conducts modular training for staff based on supervisor's recommendations and second party results. Acts as a liaison with the NC FAST Help Desk after all other resources have been exhausted to address and correct issues in the system. Acts as a contact with the Operational Support Team (OST) in order to resolve differing policy interpretation within the agency. Submits and manages Help Desk Tickets for Eligibility programs. Participate in team, committees, off-site application and outreach activities as assigned. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and courteous relationships with division employees, staffers and managers in other divisions, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the division and project a good division image. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Associate's Degree from an accredited college/university, and three (3); years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Requirements: Typing 30 wpm; NC FAST or other eligibility determination program experience; Basic Excel knowledge. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university, and four (4) or more years of Eligibility program experience. Special Requirements: Fluent in English and Spanish. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, copiers, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in an environment where errors on their part can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for them or others. INSURANCE PROGRAMS HEALTH INSURANCE All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Health Reimbursement Account Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage Vision Coverage DENTAL INSURANCE All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. LIFE INSURANCE Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents. FINANCIAL PROGRAMS RETIREMENT Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS. NC401(k) The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction. 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS Options are available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds. Health Care Spending AccountSection 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses. Dependent Care Spending AccountSection 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses. DIRECT DEPOSIT Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice. CREDIT UNION Local Government Federal Credit Union membership is available to all employees. Once you join, you can remain a member for as long as you choose. Immediate family members such as: spouse, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters and parents can all become members. TRUIST No Overdraft Fees $100 Negative Balance Buffer Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay LEAVE PROGRAMS VACATION LEAVE Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System. SICK LEAVE For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Benefitted part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS. SICK LEAVE TRANSFER FROM OTHER AGENCIES Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance. HOLIDAYS There are 12 County recognized holidays per year with 1 floating holiday available. MILITARY LEAVE Annual Training - 10 paid workdays granted. Active Duty - 20 paid workdays granted. CIVIL LEAVE Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof. FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee. PAID PARENTAL LEAVE Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care. ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days. VOLUNTEER TIME OFF Volunteer Time Off will provide employes with 16 hours of paid time per calender year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies. OTHER PROGRAMS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems. AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees through payroll deduction. NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions. 01 Do you have any experience in auditing or quality assurance? If so, please describe. 02 Describe your Training Experience, including all Program Areas. 03 Have you ever designed a Training Program? Yes No 04 Are you proficient in NC FAST? Yes No 05 If you have employment experience as a Caseworker or Eligibility Specialist in any other Income Maintenance program, describe your experience including the number of years, in which program, and where you were employed. 06 Are you proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and any other presentation software? Yes No Required Question