Jurisdiction:
Jurisdictional
Class: Competitive
Adopted: 1/10/01
SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST
DISTINGUISHING
FEAUTRES OF THE CLASS: This position is for training
incumbents in the intake and on-going case management of applicants for and
recipients of a variety of services provided by a local Social Services
district. This position differs from a
Social Welfare Examiner position in the scope of program knowledge and multiple
programs administered and the incumbent makes routine home and field visits.
Incumbents undergo a comprehensive training program consisting of state and
local sponsored formal courses and seminars and on-the-job work experience
under the close supervision of either a Social Welfare Manager or a Case
Supervisor, Grade B. Work assignments
increase in level of complexity and responsibility as incumbents progress in
training and increase their competency.
Does related work as required.
TYPICAL
WORK ACTIVITIES:
(Illustrative only)
Intake
Activities:
Conducts an initial intake interview with
applicants to obtain a wide variety of information required to assess an
applicant's needs, eligibility for services offered and related matters;
Review
forms completed by an applicant to ensure that they are complete and consistent;
Where
necessary, request additional information from the applicant and others
regarding incomplete forms and to clarify any discrepancies and/or
inconsistencies noticed in information submitted;
Provides
applicants with an overview of the services and programs available through the
agency including the purposes and requirement of such services and programs;
Advises
applicants of services provided by other agencies;
Makes
initial assessment of an applicant's needs including but not limited to emergency
needs in the areas of housing, food, finances, etc., non-emergency needs in the
areas of child care, health care, education, employment, etc.;
Evaluates
and/or screens applicants in the areas of identity and citizenship
documentation, potential for fraudulent claims, substance abuse, domestic
violence, child support enforcement, etc.;
Makes
referrals as necessary to fraud investigations unit, child support enforcement
and others;
Establishes
goal plans with families to promote financial independence and acts as an
educator to help families resolve financial and social problems.
On-going Case Management Activities:
Opens
and closes temporary and disability assistance and Medicaid cases;
Computes
and issues home energy, Medicaid and family assistance grants, food stamp
allotments, vendor/voucher and child care assistance;
Assesses
the applicants/recipients education, experience, aptitudes and interests to
determine appropriate job placement;
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SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST
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On-going Case Management Activities:
Assists
recipients in obtaining employment by contacting potential employers, and
performing
job bank searches;
Conducts
and arranges for on-going training related to securing and maintaining employment
on a group or individual basis including such things as preparation of resumes,
completion of job applications, preparation for and conduct during job
interviews;
Monitors
compliance with employment requirements by verifying recipient contacts with
employers and employment agencies;
Monitors recipient progress in completing
education and occupational training and on-the-job work performance;
Works with recipients to resolve problems that
hinder continued employment such as lack of transportation, child care, etc.;
Monitors
recipients compliance with a variety of program regulations to detect and
prevent fraud;
Conducts periodic on-going group and/or individual
face to face recertification of
recipient's eligibility for various programs;
Reviews
on-going payments to determine if any over or under payments have been made and
takes appropriate corrective action;
Prepares
and presents and/or assists in the preparation and presentation of
administrative fair hearings and employment conciliation. Operates a personal computer and/or mainframe
terminal;
Makes
home visits.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS,
ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Working knowledge of Federal, State and local
rules, regulations and laws that govern applicant/recipient eligibility for
social services financial assistance and employability requirements; working
knowledge of programs that relate to eligibility for social services programs
such as Workers Compensation, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, etc.;
working knowledge of agencies that provide employment services and occupational
training; working knowledge of employment recruitment, screening and placement
principles and techniques; working knowledge of methods of using computerized
information processing systems; ability to operate a personal computer and/or
mainframe terminal; ability to gather and analyze eligibility information and
compare to eligibility criterion and make correct decisions regarding
eligibility; ability to evaluate applicant/recipient education, experience,
aptitude and interest to determine appropriate job placement and occupational
training; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with
others; good powers of observation and perception; good judgment; emotional
maturity; initiative, tact, physical condition commensurate with the demands of
the position.
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SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A.
Graduation from a regionally
accredited NYS registered college or university with an Associate's Degree or
higher and three (3) years of experience in examining, investigating, or
evaluating claims for social service assistance, unemployment, insurance,
veteran's benefits, or a similar program operating under established criteria
for eligibility;
B.
Possession of a High School Diploma
or high school equivalency diploma AND
five (5) years of experience as listed in (A) above; OR
C.
An equivalent combination of training
and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Possession of a valid