Self- Sufficiency Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services • Verona, VA

1d

About The Position

This is a technical position. This position is responsible for determining eligibility for social services government assistance programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self-sufficiency. The responsibilities can be a combination of Benefits and Employment Services/Self-Sufficiency Programs such as Childcare Subsidy, VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Education and Work) and/or SNAPET (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgement, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility and employment. The employee assesses individuals referred to the program, identifies and addresses barriers to employment and long-term stability, develops a plan, monitors and supports client progress, and implements program requirements. The employee operates as a team member. Assists in providing emergency shelter as mandated and required.
Knowledge:
Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions; economic and human behavior; financial assistance programs; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit and Employment Services Programs training. Experience in professional interaction with the general public by phone and in person.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of practices of public social service organizations
• employment services
• State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employability decisions
• economic and human behavior
• financial assistance programs
• mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems
• interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation
• Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated unit and agency software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; individually and in group settings with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, work-site placements, courts and medical professionals in person and on the phone
• interview, gather information, evaluate each client’s situation, develop plans and make referrals
• determine a client’s ownership share in situations
• make mathematical computations
• make eligibility and employ-ability decisions
• independently identify customer’s employment needs, identify and address barriers to employment, and develop employment plans
• use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access, interpret and manipulate data
• generate reports, maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality
• exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing local conclusions
• 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
• Actively engages a team member to support the long-term stability of families served and the mission of the agency
• Completes shelter duty training and serves in shelters as required
• Performs other duties as assigned
• High School Diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, or related field and some experience in social work

Nice To Haves

• Graduate from accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, psychology, human services or related field.
• Competition of benefits and/or employment services training to provide knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Working knowledge of community resources and being able to make appropriate referrals.
• Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Must pass the agency’s background checks.

Responsibilities

• determining eligibility for social services government assistance programs
• assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self-sufficiency
• assesses individuals referred to the program
• identifies and addresses barriers to employment and long-term stability
• develops a plan
• monitors and supports client progress
• implements program requirements
• Assists in providing emergency shelter as mandated and required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED