Public Benefits Eligibility Caseworker I

Gaston Social Services:
Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

The goal of the Gaston County Human Services Center and Division of Social Services is to foster an agency which is professionally responsive to our citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and simultaneously serve as an advocate for those in need. We strive to be community-minded and community-spirited. We abide by federal, state and county operating instructions in providing services and we assist welfare recipients in attaining self-sufficiency.

The anticipated hiring range for the ESC I position is $16.88 - 20.04

The anticipated hiring range for the ESC II position is $18.56 - 22.04

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Completes initial policy and procedure training in an eligibility program that includes classroom learning, online/remote learning, and peer shadowing. Submits work for second party review. Attains proficiency in applicable program area.
• Interviews applicants for social service assistance, records information on required forms; makes computations to determine appropriate financial assistance to be allowed.
• Investigates and verifies documents related to client's application; consults with supervisory personnel on complex cases or actions.
• Conducts follow up evaluations on clients according to a defined time and case management schedule.
• Advises applicant of approval or denial of benefits or services; provides explanation of right of appeal and client responsibilities for continued benefits or services.
• Reads and interprets written policies and procedures applicable to federal, state and local laws related to public service assistance.
• Must be available to work mandatory emergency shelters & other duties as assigned.

• High school graduate
• Three years of clerical work with public contact
• NC Fast Core Certification and Level 1 Core Trainings within 90 days of employment.

In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2(b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.