Eligibility Specialist Supervisor II - Work First & Energy

Catawba County -
Hickory, NC

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Job Details

Full-time
$59,457.24 a year

Benefits

Wellness program
Health savings account
Paid holidays
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
401(k)
Flexible spending account
Tuition reimbursement
401(k) 5% Match
Employee assistance program
Vision insurance
Gym membership
Flexible schedule
Life insurance

Qualifications

Team supervision
Social service program staff supervision
In-person customer service
Data interpretation
Computer skills
General management

Full Job Description

New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start — benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description

Catawba County Social Services is seeking a highly motivated, experienced professional to serve as an Eligibility Specialist (Income Maintenance) Supervisor II for the Work First and Energy Assistance Programs.

This position provides leadership, supervision, and program oversight to ensure effective implementation of local, state, and federal policies governing the Work First and Energy programs. The Eligibility Specialist Supervisor II plays a key role in staff development, quality assurance, customer service, and compliance, while also monitoring program funding for the Energy Assistance Program.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, direct, and monitor the Work First and Energy Assistance Programs to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and policies
Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate staff; conduct performance evaluations; identify training needs; and address performance or disciplinary issues in coordination with administration and Human Resources
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and quality of work through second-party reviews, workload analysis, and continuous monitoring of productivity and caseload coverage
Monitor Energy Program expenditures and assist with budget oversight for this non-entitlement program
Provide guidance and support to staff in resolving complex cases and handling difficult or irate customers, ensuring respectful and dignified customer service
Submit and track NC FAST Help Desk tickets and provide system and policy support to contract agencies involved in the Energy Program

Prepare for and participate in audits, meetings, and state or cluster workgroups; assist with development of the Work First Electing Plan; and assume responsibility for unit operations in the Program Manager’s absence

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or High School diploma/GED equivalent, and 3 years of experience as a caseworker or investigator in an income maintenance program (Work First, Daycare, Medicaid, etc.)

Additional Requirements

Strong knowledge of income maintenance programs, eligibility requirements, and policy manuals
Excellent leadership, organizational, and customer service skills
Ability to analyze data, interpret policies, and translate findings into actionable steps
Strong computer and analytical skills, including NC FAST
Ability to diffuse conflict and communicate effectively with customers and staff
Ability to instruct, organize, direct, and supervise employees effectively
This is considered light work; lifting up to 20 pounds

Preferences:

1 year of supervisory experience in an income maintenance program

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee’s children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

Annual Leave:Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
Sick Leave:Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
Flexible work schedules.
Time off for activities that support our local schools.
Continuing educational assistance.
Discount tickets to recreational venues.
Employee appreciation days/activities.
Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee’s annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

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