Economic Support Specialist

Description

Position serves individuals and families seeking public program assistance throughout the Great Rivers Consortium (involving 10 counties working together to assist clients with information and services). Assesses client needs and determines eligibility for public assistance programs including Food Share, Medicaid, Caretaker Supplement, Child Care Assistance, Elderly Blind Disabled Medicaid, Medicaid Purchase Plan, Long Term Care, Family Care/Waiver.

• Annual wage increase based on eligibility
• Paid, on‑the‑job training and advancement opportunities
• 85% county contribution to health and dental premiums
• Health Savings Account (HSA) available to all employees enrolled in the county's medical plan, with annual contributions provided by the employer and the health plan
• Wisconsin Retirement – One of the most well‑managed retirement systems in the nation. Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by WRS Employee Trust Fund. Refer to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for further detail.
• County‑paid Life Insurance Policy – coverage equivalent to annual salary; affordable supplemental, additional, and spousal/dependent coverage available at employee’s expense
• Competitive paid time off including vacation, sick time, personal days and holidays
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer

• Conduct intensive investigative interviews to obtain and evaluate financial and non‑financial information in order to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Research, interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies governing eligibility, legal rights, and responsibilities of applicants.
• Determine correct public assistance benefits through direct client contact via office interview, home visits, and telephone within required state and federal time frames.
• Answer phones in a Call Center setting; provide case management duties; answer questions, provide case status updates, process changes; troubleshoot problems, respond to emergency needs; re‑determine eligibility and process verifications.
• Record, maintain, review, and regularly correct benefit levels and other documentation regarding applicants, using Care Worker Web and CARES systems.
• Manually determine eligibility for specific programs that are not automated or when the system is unavailable.
• Create manual notices of determination.
• Obtain and verify third‑party information needed to determine eligibility.
• Review system database and cross‑match information for payments either paid out or received, including but not limited to:
  Child Support payments, Social Security income, wage match information, and Unemployment Compensation benefits.
• Prepare Fraud and Program Integrity referrals.
• Recalculate benefits.
• Provide testimony at administrative hearings and in court.
• Assess individual and family needs.
• Arrange for additional benefits or services within the department; make referrals to other agencies and community support services.
• Authorize monetary benefits in child care authorizations, Food Share, fees for service and capitation rates for medical assistance and Badger Care Plus; authorize payment for caretaker supplement on social security income.
• Make appropriate referrals for necessary services such as ADRC, Social Security, SSI, Child Support, Veterans Services, Judicare, Social Workers, and Job Service.
• Participate in ongoing training to keep informed of changes in State and Federal regulations and technical advancement.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level or as assigned.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• High school diploma or equivalent, with two years’ experience in an office setting.
• Preferred qualifications of two or more years of college or vocational/technical training in a financial or Human Services field; or
• Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skill and abilities.
• Douglas County will provide required state‑mandated Economic Support Specialist training upon hire.

• Analyzes data and information critically, identifies patterns and trends, and makes data‑driven…