What are the responsibilities and job description for the Economic Support Specialist position at Polk County (WI)?
Determines eligibility and provides ongoing case management for Polk County/Great Rivers Income Maintenance Consortium in a timely and accurate manner for the following public assistance programs: Medical Assistance, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare/SNAP (Food Stamps), Caretaker Supplement (CTS), and the Wisconsin Shares Child Care subsidies.
Essential Duties: These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.Written and Verbal Communication Skills
- Conducts intensive investigative interviews to obtain and evaluate financial and non-financial information in order to determine eligibility for assistance
- Researches, interprets and applies federal, state, and local policies governing eligibility, legal rights, and responsibilities of applicants
- Determines correct public assistance benefits through direct client contact via office interview, home visits, and telephone in compliance with required state and federal time frames
- Answers phones in a Call Center setting; provides case management duties; answers questions, provides case status updates, processes changes; troubleshoots problems, responds to emergency needs, re-determines eligibility and processes verifications
- Manually determines eligibility for specific programs that are not automated or when system is unavailable
- Creates manual notices of determination
- Records, maintains, reviews and regularly corrects benefit levels and other documentation regarding applicants, using CARES and CARES Worker Web systems
- Obtains and verifies third-party information needed to determine eligibility
- Works in collaboration with various agencies and support services; verifies appropriate levels of benefits and/or services
- Authorizes monetary benefits in child care authorizations, FoodShare, fees for service and capitation rates for medical assistance and BadgerCare Plus, and authorizes payment for caretaker supplement on social security income.
- Identifies risk factors such as AODA, domestic abuse, disabilities, or suspected child/elder abuse and reports to appropriate services
- Responds to financial and non-financial cross matches and alerts
- Prepares Fraud and Program Integrity referrals
- Recalculates benefits
- Provides testimony at administrative hearings and in court
- Assesses individual and family needs
- Arranges for additional benefits or services within the department; makes referrals to other agencies and community support services
- Attends ongoing trainings regarding changes in the federal and state regulations and technical advancements
- Associate’s Degree in a Human Services-related field, Public/Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, or Communication
- Two (2) years of experience dealing with the general public in a position requiring the utilization of investigative interviewing techniques or provision of employment and training-related services
Competency Requirements:
- Attention to Detail - Ensures information is complete and accurate; follows up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
- Self-Management - Organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a way that maximizes efficient performance; establishes and adjusts priorities to ensure timely completion of assigned work/fulfill responsibilities.
- Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; setting high standards of performance for self and others
- Written and Verbal Communication Skills - Recognizes or uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
- Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct, maintains confidentially, and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
- Interpersonal Relations - Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
- Leveraging Technology - Demonstrates proficiency in using on-line tools and business applications, creating and maintaining accurate data and communications, including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and specialized web-based and/or related departmental systems
- Data Gathering and Analysis- Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal or judgment
- Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, residents, families, and other internal and external clientele). Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement. Communicates/Interacts with members of the public and other key stakeholders in a way that elicits positive response and participation, which on occasion, may include interaction either one-on-one or with several stakeholders at one time to present information and/or represent the facility's interests.
- Skills and abilities may be evaluated through various standardized pre-employment assessment tools.
Certificates/Licenses/Registrations
Valid driver's license or access to transportation. Occasionally required to travel for educational opportunities or to work with staff at various satellite offices or other campus locations.
Work Environment
Work is sedentary in nature performed within the Government Center or satellite offices/other campus locations. Lifting requirement is 15 - 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Wrist and finger manipulation due to filing, compiling, calculating, or computer work. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to: computer, scanner, printer, typewriter, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
Salary : $25
