Economic Support Specialist

Why Sheboygan County? It is our imperative to remain an inclusive workplace. Sheboygan County is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents our community. Sheboygan County Health and Human Services also strives to be a trauma informed organization which fully realizes the prevalence of trauma, recognizes the effects of trauma, and responds with trauma informed policies and practices, and we are looking for staff who will help us champion this journey. Becoming a member of our growing team also means that YOU become our top priority. You will not only enjoy a dynamic work environment but a variety of perks including but not limited to the following:

• Generous benefits package and access to our free InHealth Clinic
• Time off: 15 vacation days, sick time and 10 paid holidays
• Other perks: Referral program, Wisconsin Retirement System, education discount, and much more

What to Expect: 
Responsible for determining initial and ongoing eligibility and case management for Income Maintenance (IM), and Wisconsin Shares (CC) programs which may include any type of Medical Assistance/Badger Care Plus, Food Share Wisconsin, Caretaker Supplement, and Wisconsin Shares (Child Care). Coordinates, cooperates, and may assist with the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Children’s First, Food Share Employment and Training (FSET), and Wisconsin Works (W2) programs. Duties include ability to analyze and implement policy, procedure, and software systems to ensure accurate and timely benefit determinations. Once training is completed, the Economic Support Specialist will have developed the skills and experience to manage a full case load independently with autonomy.

• Conducts interactive in person interviews with consumers to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for Income Maintenance and Child Care programs using State software systems.
• Works independently to apply State and Federal policy and procedures to dynamic household situations to ensure accurate benefit determinations. Each ESS determines State and Federal benefits valued at approximately $6 million annually.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced Call Change Center environment handling multiple interactions daily in the context of an eight county consortium. Handles urgent inquires relating to medical coverage, Food Share, and/or Child Care in a time sensitive manner. 
• Interacts with people of diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, people with mental and physical health issues, and financial and legal professionals.
• Represents the county in Administrative Law Hearings and may be required to appear in court proceedings.
• Processes applications and annual reviews, through multiple State software systems, including face to face, telephone, online and mail interactions with customers.  
• Determines and requests required verifications from customers and takes appropriate follow-up action. Assesses the accuracy of computerized benefit determinations ensuring those determinations conform to current State and Federal policy. 
• Provides referrals to other resources and programs within the Human Services Department and community organizations within the eight county consortium region. 
• Reviews and processes all system alerts and data exchange information within state and county guidelines.
• Completes benefit overpayment redeterminations and refers appropriate cases for public assistance fraud investigation.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of High school graduate or equivalent, additional education in Business, Social Sciences or Human Services preferred. 
• Experience working with the public in a wide variety of situations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of eligibility factors, policy and procedures relating to economic support programs. 
• Extensive experience using software programs, electronic resources, and strong      telephone skills. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of community resources and Health and Human Services System.
• Organizational skills and abilities. 
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively.
• Understands and effectively carries out oral and/or written instructions.
• Access to a car, a valid driver’s license and ability to drive or arrange travel in and out of county as needed to perform job duties.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to the Human Services Supervisor or Deputy Human Services Director. No direct subordinates. Frequent contact with Economic Support Specialists, Social Service Aides, Secretaries, H&HSD, Job Center partners, community-based agency staff, consortium partners, and the general public.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Work is performed primarily in a standard cubicle office setting. Ability to simultaneously perform computer data entry and telephone/in-person customer contact continuously throughout the workday. Ability to regularly work 8.0 hour days and 40.0 hour weeks is required. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, and a combination of sitting and standing postures may be required.

• Must be able to operate standard office equipment including telephone, computer, facsimile, calculator, printer, and photocopier.

• Risk of blood-borne pathogen exposure is considered low.

Salary : $6