Eligibility Specialist Ii - Food & Nutrition Services

Job Title

Performs intermediate paraprofessional work involving the determination or redetermination of the eligibility of applicants or recipients requesting food assistance through the Department of Human Services.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Hiring range for this position is $43,451.20 - $51,916.80. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile.

Pay grade for this position is 15.

Essential functions/typical tasks include interviewing, taking applications, gathering information, assessing situations, determining eligibility, and processing applications, changes, and recertifications for Food & Nutrition Services; computing initial budgets and revising budgets as changes occur in the household or in income; entering and maintaining case data in the appropriate county and state systems; maintaining a caseload or participating in maintaining the case bank and reviewing all cases at designated review periods to determine a family's or individual's continuing eligibility;

maintaining records, files, and confidentiality.

• Gathers and reviews household income, financial resources, and residency data; computes budget.
• Reviews declaration forms and other application forms; verifies this information through telephone calls and correspondence with local government representatives, employers, attorneys, neighbors and other similar contacts.
• Explains program requirements and options and advise or refer client to other programs or services as appropriate.
• Informs client of rights and obligations as prescribed by program policies.
• Responds to inquiries from clients and citizens regarding benefits, application process, and/or program eligibility; provides information and assistance.
• Compute and authorize amounts of assistance for programs.
• Enters and retrieves data from the appropriate state and county systems.
• Documents electronic case record.
• Produces monthly financial reports; searches documents for posting errors.
• Operates computer, scanner, calculator and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining records.
• Provides social workers with pertinent information gathered during applicant interviews and the process of case maintenance.
• Participates in ongoing training as required.
• Participates in teams, task forces, committees, job fairs, off-site applications and outreach activities as assigned.
• Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include considerable knowledge of the program/areas of assignment. Knowledge of and ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply federal, state, and county program rules, regulations, and procedures. General knowledge of agency and community programs and services. Working knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment. Skill to use a variety of office machines, computers, applicable software and typing.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; to establish and follow detailed work procedures; to perform caseworker functions within structured time frames; to prioritize work; to perform mathematical reasoning and computations with speed and accuracy; to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports; to communicate effectively orally and in writing with persons of varied social, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds;

to maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, even in difficult situations; to attend work regularly; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Education and experience:

• Graduation from an accredited associate degree program in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, Accounting, or a closely related curriculum; or
• Graduation from high school or equivalent and one year of eligibility determination experience, preferably in North Carolina, including but not limited to Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid, Work First, Crisis Assistance, or Daycare Assistance; or
• Graduation from high school or equivalent and two years of paraprofessional, clerical, or public contact experience that includes negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling data, analyzing data, and/or performing mathematical, accounting, case management, or legal tasks.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

One year of experience may be substituted for the NC FAST Human Services Certification. Candidates must have completed Phases I and II of the NC FAST Human Services Certification program and be able to provide…