Self Sufficiency Specialist I/II - (Gloucester)

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Employer Description:

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.

Job Description:

A Self-Sufficiency Specialist I represents 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. The selected candidate will maintain a caseload of participants that require Employment Services but currently receive other benefits to include Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or child care. 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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 child care program and makes assessments of customer needs
• Interviews participants for assistance, obtains necessary information
• Explains nature of temporary assistance 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
• 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
• When activated by the County Administrator, must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter.

Hiring Range: $46,608 (May be higher depending on qualifications and years of experience)

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to perform case management and/or career counseling or any equivalent combination of training and experience which demonstrates the skill to work with Employment Services participants.
• Knowledge of basic human behavior.
• Ability to perform mathematic calculations to include percentages, formulas and averages
• Conduct interviews for the purpose of gathering information, evaluating situations, and analyzing information.
• Skilled in operating a computer with specific knowledge in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience determining eligibility for SNAP and Families and Children’s Medicaid.
• Experience determining eligibility for TANF, VIEW, and childcare.
• Experience with Virginia Social Services computer systems to include VaCMS, SPIDeR, MMIS, and SVES.
• Experience working in an employment program.
• Knowledge of policy/procedure interpretation and the ability to explain complex information to customers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive professional working relationships both internally and with community partners and organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful conditions.

Special Requirements

• Applicants are subject to a Criminal History Background search, including an FBI Fingerprint Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening.

Special Instructions

• Applications for this position must be submitted through this website.
• Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted.
• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application/resume.
• APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE COMPLETE WORK HISTORY WITH DETAILED JOB DUTIES OR TASKS
• If applicable, include periods of unemployment.

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

Based on the response to this posting, this position may be filled as a Self-Sufficiency Specialist I or a Self-Sufficiency Specialist II.