Family Investment Specialist Iii Lead; Statewide

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve.

At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. This Statewide recruitment is being conducted to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State.

All approved candidates will be placed on this list of eligible candidates in one Best‑Qualified randomized scoring band for at least one year. Placement on this list is not a guarantee that you will be offered an interview for any given vacancy. This recruitment has been reopened to allow additional candidates to apply. If you have already applied and been approved for this 2025 recruitment  please do not reapply;

you remain on the eligible list of candidates and under consideration for current and future vacancies.

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STATEWIDE This Statewide recruitment has been opened to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State. Please indicate the counties in which you are willing to accept employment on your application.

A Family Investment Specialist III Lead is the lead level of work providing specialized services in eligibility determination or quality assurance review of customer eligibility for Family Investment Administration (FIA) programs in a local Department of Social Services. Employees in this classification interview customers, explain program requirements and options, verify information, determine category of eligibility, assist customers in resolving problems and handle the disposition of routine and complex cases.

Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Family Investment Specialists. Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Family Investment Specialist Supervisor or other higher-level administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and may visit customers in their homes or at facilities such as nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.

Examples of work:

• Assigns and reviews the work of and trains lower-level Family Investment Specialists for completeness, accuracy, application of and compliance with State and federal policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations
• Interviews customers to determine eligibility and need for FIA programs
• Elicits information as to family composition, employment, health status, financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements
• Explains program requirements and procedures to individuals or in a group setting
• Checks public records, such as birth records and real estate transactions
• Contacts individuals, employers, landlords, attorneys, financial institutions, medical offices, and government and community agencies to obtain, verify or clarify information required for eligibility determinations, such as income, resources, residency and household composition
• Determines program eligibility in accordance with federal, State and local laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations
• Calculates incomes and resources to establish benefit level
• Records and updates information in automated databases and classifies and codes errors for statistical analysis
• Contacts customers regarding discrepancies and refers questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up
• Provides information on and makes referrals to service agencies, organizations and vendors for appropriate services to meet customer health, housing, food, employment, child care and transportation needs
• Monitors progress and applies appropriate sanctions when necessary
• Provides basic counseling and problem solving support
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of customers
• May make visits to customers’ homes to gather information
• May give testimony of case study findings at hearings, appeals and court hearings as representative of the Department
• Performs other related duties

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

EDUCATION:

An Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience determining eligibility for governmental assistance programs. NOTES:

• 1. Candidates may substitute additional experience determining eligibility for governmental assistance programs on a…