Self-Sufficiency Specialist III

Self-Sufficiency Specialist III represents the advanced level in the class series for Self-Sufficiency Specialists. Employees provide consultation on complex cases and may work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential. Employees are assigned projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions and programs such as VIEW, fraud investigation, child care, and employment services. Employees are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. Work is performed independently in accordance with well established guidelines and standards. The Specialist III is distinguished from the Specialist IV by the latter’s serving as a lead worker, providing guidance to other specialists, and supporting the supervisor by ensuring staff coverage, reviewing cases, and providing back-up supervision as required.

Gloucester Department of Social Services is seeking to fill a position within the Benefit Programs Unit. The selected candidate will be responsible for the Virginia’s Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW), Child Care and the Title IV-E program.  This position represents the advanced level of Self Sufficiency Specialist.  The selected candidate will work closely with participants to identify strengths and goals as well as barriers that are preventing one from becoming self-sufficient.  The selected candidate will be assigned projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions and programs.  This individual will have the ability to collaborate with community partners as well agency staff in other units.

The selected candidate will have considerable knowledge of: applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures related to public assistance, employment services, and child care programs; basic human behavior; financial assistance programs; human services programs and how each interrelates; the strategic planning process; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection; and employment services and adult education programs; community resources  

The selected candidate will have skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. 

The selected candidate will have the demonstrated ability to: manage complex cases; impart public assistance knowledge to the customer, employment services, and child care 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 client’s 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, and 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; and 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- Same as required in Self-Sufficiency Specialist II 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. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• For customers required to participate in the Virginia’s Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW), needs will be assessed and employment plans will be developed utilizing job search, work experience, education and training solutions to employment barriers and assist with developing job opportunities

• Determine day care needs for customers requesting assistance 

• Prepare purchase of service orders and process day care invoices to ensure fiscal funds are accurately appropriated. 

• Reassess customers at prescribed intervals to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress in the VIEW program and to monitor their particular work status, monitors goals through information and assessment of customer background.

• Communicate with the customers to collect needed information for case records and answer client concerns. Reported changes will be addressed timely.

•  Initiates and imposes sanctions for non-compliance with program requirements and/or the established self-sufficiency plan.

• Promotes employment services programs and maintains contacts with community agencies to coordinate delivery of services. 

• Explore opportunities for employment to divert client's needs for public assistance.

• Assign clients to various employment service program components.

• Represent the agency by attending meetings with community partners

• Shelter duty – When activated by the County Administrator, must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter

Minimum Qualifications:

• Mid-level experience in a Self Sufficiency position

   

• Considerable knowledge of employment services

   

• Considerable experience with child care services

   

•  Knowledge of basic human behavior

• Conduct interviews for the purpose of gathering information, evaluating situations, and analyzing information.

• Skilled in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software

•  Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

•  Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form

•  Exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions 

•  Utilize various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data

•  Maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Virginia Social Services computer programs. 

• Knowledge of policy/procedure interpretation and the ability to explain complex information to clients. 

• Demonstrated ability to assist clients with personal development and employment skills. The candidate must be able to work successfully as a team member but also independently to accomplish tasks. 

• Knowledge of the Federal Title IV-E program, determining initial eligibility and processing ongoing changes

• The position will require developing and maintaining positive professional working relationships both internally and with community partners and organizations.