DSS Human Services Specialist I* Time-Limited

Salary : $42,767.00 - $85,529.00 Annually
Location : Hillsborough NC 27278, NC
Job Type: Time Limited
Job Number: 182-2023-1367
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 10/11/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
General Description
The Orange County Department of Social Services has an opening for a Time-Limited Human Services Specialist I. An employee in this class is responsible for determining client eligibility for public benefits. Work involves using intake and processing systems, utilizing NC FAST or other automated systems and involves in depth interviewing, determining eligibility for benefits, and/or re-certifying recipients for continued benefits, and will exercise independent judgment within the guidelines of established Federal and State government regulations and County procedures.
Work is performed under the general supervision of a Human Services Supervisor with oversight and assistance provided by the Human Services Coordinator with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions regarding client needs and requests. Does related work as required.
Hiring range is based on years of experience and education
* Background Check is required.
Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions
Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Interviews clients and/or collateral contacts to gather information, secure medical, work history and other income information, verifies information and investigates discrepancies.
Conducts client assessments to identify barriers to employment, including work habits, lack of job search skills, lack of work skills and lack of supporting services, such as transportation or child care.
Makes evaluation of need for services and eligibility for benefits to adults, families or children based on knowledge of all social services programs; follows policies and procedures related to eligibility determination and re-determination.
Develops employment and training plans for clients, which address their social, family and vocational needs, by making appropriate referrals for community and state agency services and by counseling the client to identify and address other barriers.
Provides clients with information about the availability of services and refers them to appropriate agencies or community programs; accepts and processes referrals and pass-through payments; shares information and refers uncooperative recipients for sanctions.
Assists clients in retaining public assistance benefits by updating information in client file and state eligibility systems.
Uses information technology to determine eligibility, to record notes, and to manage records.
Documents eligibility decisions and retains copies of client information, financial, psychological, medical, vocational, and court records in order to provide accountability for the expenditure of state and federal funds by recording information in case logs and client files.
Completes reports and forms for documentation of decisions, actions taken, responses to court actions and payment authorization.
Adheres to the department's safety rules and regulations.
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Perform other duties, as needed.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
FULL PERFORMANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Good knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, codes and policies concerning the provision of public assistance programs and their eligibility requirements.
Good knowledge of available state and federal human service assistance programs and their eligibility requirements.
Good knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors which influence poverty and unemployment.
Good knowledge of current social, economic and health trends and services, and the ability to adapt trends to practical program applications and link clients with services needed.
Good knowledge of HIPAA guidelines and ability to apply guidelines to client records.
Good knowledge of the principles of interviewing and other information gathering techniques, interviewing procedures and practices.
Good knowledge of assessment principles and techniques.
Skill at prioritizing work activities and multi-task while under pressure.
Skill in being customer-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Ability to apply analytical thinking and deductive reasoning to arrive at reasonable judgments.
Ability to interpret and apply county, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures in specific case situations.
Ability to understand medical and vocational terminology and legal principles.
Ability to communicate complex information effectively, with a wide variety of people; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective relationships with diverse populations.
Ability to relate well with others under stressful conditions.
Ability to gather, compile and evaluate information and records, summarize findings and make recommendations based on analysis of data collected.
Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintain records, prepare reports, formulate treatment plans and complete other caseload management functions accurately and timely.
Ability to compute complex equations using addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentages.
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field or social work; OR
High School or General Educational Development (GED) test equivalency AND four (4) years 'related experience in Human Services; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
Please attached any certifications you have related to this position.
Please attach transcript with application.
As with all positions with the Department of Social Services, this position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director.
Physical Requirements and Possible Hazards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, walking, stooping, typing, talking, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping, hearing, handling, reaching and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists/feet.
Ability to perform light work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform transcription, perform extensive reading and operate a computer terminal.
Emotional stress due to the nature of interactions with clients or service providers.
May encounter clients and/or family members who are upset or angry.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
  • Orange County contributes 12.85% of your base salary per pay period and 14.10% for LEO.
• Health Insurance (Medical)
  • Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
  • Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.

Dental Insurance

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.

Vision Insurance

• Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.

Life Insurance

• Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.
• Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.

Short Term Disability

• Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.

Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy

Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance

401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

• Orange County contributes $29.15 per pay period ($757.90 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
• Orange County contributes up to an additional $67 ($1742 annually) for voluntary supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.

• 12 Paid Holidays
• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
  • 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
  • 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
  • 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
  • 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
  • 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
  • 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year

Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)

• 96.2 hours/year

Tuition reimbursement assistance

Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes

02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04
Please indicated your highest level of education from an accredited school?

• High School or GED
• Associates' Degree
• Bachelors' Degree
• Masters' Degree
• Professional Certifications

05
Please indicate your degree major.

• Human Services
• Social Work
• Related

06
If Related, please indicate your degree major.
07
Have you completed any coursework or certificates related to DSS caseworker or NCFAST? If so, indicate the name the course or certificates, including when and where did you completed them.
08
How many years of related experience do you have in Human Services?

• None
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

09
Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas. Please choose all that apply.

• Interviewing clients
• Determining eligibility for benefits
• Recertifying recipients for continued benefits
• Conducting assessments
• None of the above

10
Please describe your Human Services experience. If none, indicate N/A.
11
Which of these programs, if any, do you have prior work experience with?

• Food and Nutrition Services
• MAGI Medicaid
• Adult Medicaid
• Work First
• Energy Programs
• Other Public Assistance Program
• None of the above

12
If you indicated Other Public Assistance Program, please indicate the program.
13
Are you familiar with NCFAST (North Carolina Families Accessing Services thru Technology) or ever worked with the NCFAST system?

• Yes
• No

14
Please indicate your proficiency in Spanish.

• I cannot read, write or speak Spanish
• I am proficient at reading and writing in Spanish
• I am proficient at speaking Spanish
• I am fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish

15
This position may be r...