General Work Description
The Income Maintenance Team is responsible for assisting individuals and families with applying for and maintaining a variety of benefits offered under the Social Services umbrella. Those benefits include but are not limited to: Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid, Medicaid Transportation, Work First, Emergency Assistance, Special Assistance, Long Term Care, Child Care, LIEAP, and Crisis Intervention.
The primary purpose of the Universal worker is to take and process all types of assistance applications, re-determine eligibility and process and react to any changes in the client’s situation.
The Income Maintenance Team is comprised of three different units. Income Maintenance Team I, responsible for Family and Children’s Medicaid, Child Care, Work First Family Assistance, Emergency Assistance and Medicaid Transportation. Income Maintenance Team II, responsible for Adult Medicaid, Special Assistance and Long-Term Care. Income Maintenance Team III, responsible for Food and Nutrition Services, Crisis Intervention and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. Although, universal workers are assigned to a specific team at any given moment the worker maybe asked to work in a unit they are not currently assigned to.
This position interviews, verifies information, opens and determines or re-determines eligibility for all programs that are either new applications or that are applications where there has been a lapse in the certification period. This position also interviews, verifies information, reopens and determines eligibility for all cases that reapply when there has been no lapse in the certification period. This position documents, verifies and updates all changes in the client’s situation. This position has the responsibility of satisfying all federal and state mandated verifications as well as any questionable data. Employees must explain program requirements and options and advise or refer clients to other program services as appropriate. This position reports to an Income Maintenance Supervisor II.
This position could be required to primarily perform one or all of these functions, dependent upon the needs of the agency.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of all agency programs, and community programs and services which could affect the client/applicant. Good mathematical reasoning and computational skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret a variety of regulations, policies, and procedures of varying complexity. Ability to communicate with clients/applicants and the public at large to obtain data, and to explain and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures. Ability to perform caseworker functions within structured time frames. Ability to be flexible in work schedules and work environment. Must possess good computer skills and have the ability to learn and adapt to new computer programs in an efficient manner.
Qualifications
Required Minimum Training: One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker
Additional Training/Experience: Considerable knowledge of the program/area of assignment. General knowledge of all agency and community programs and services which could affect the client. Good mathematical reasoning and computational skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret a variety of regulations, policies and procedures of varying complexity. Ability to instruct and evaluate the work of lower level employees. Ability to train employees in new and existing rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Ability to understand the needs and problems of clients/applicants. Ability to perform caseworker functions under and within structured time frames.
Equivalent Training and Experience: Graduation from an accredited associate degree program in Human Services Technology, Social Services Associate, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum; or graduation from high school and two years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks with at least one year of such experience being in an income maintenance program; or graduation from high school and three years of paraprofessional, clerical or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, the gathering and compiling of data, the analysis of data and/or the performance of mathematical or legal tasks; and one year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Other Information
All DSS employees are subject to be called to serve as shelter manager during times of emergency or disaster. DSS employees are considered essential and may be activated during emergency situations, as necessary.
Applicants with qualified work against status may be considered at a lower salary and grade.
Hiring rate for fully qualified applicants - $43,225
Rate after successful completion of 12-month probationary period - $45,386
Hiring rate for IMC I (less than one year IMC experience) - $39,582
Please call 252-940-6034 with questions about DSS job vacancies.
Resumes are not accepted in lieu of county applications. An updated application is required if applicant has applied previously for Beaufort County positions. Applicant must provide complete work history, documentation of allcertifications, places and dates of employment and hours worked.
BEAUFORT COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, AND/OR NCSBI FINGERPRINT-BASED CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK, DRIVING RECORD CHECK, AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN REQUIRED.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $43,225.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
