Senior Program Counselor

Job Title

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community. We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government. We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full-time and part-time employees. Understanding the many challenges facing today's professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Primary function of the job is to provide information, assistance, advice, and guidance to individuals seeking public benefits and government services. Interviews and counsels clients, researches claims and conditions, determines accuracy of information and eligibility status, and provides referral services. Acts as an advocate or counselor for clients. Employees in this job have no formal supervisory role, however, may train, guide, prioritize, or lead case management assistants or other employees in the designated work unit.

Employees work as part of a team and are responsible for ensuring that the team meets its objectives.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements, conditions of employment, and be able to successfully perform all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

This position may require irregular hours. This position may also require travel by the employee in his/her own vehicle.

• Advises and counsels clients and provides information regarding services and benefits available to them and/or refers them to proper outside agencies when applicable and updates clients as changes occur, which may include coordinating the scheduling of appointments for applicable services.
• Receives, reviews, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of information associated with assigned programmatic area and makes recommendations based on findings.
• Checks and certifies each case to ensure all necessary documentation and criteria have been met.
• Assists clients and their families in filing their applications for services and benefits and acts as liaison between the client/family and outside agencies.
• Writes appeals for determinations made by federal, state, and local agencies.
• May act as an authorized agent or custodian of state and county emergency relief programs and may intervene when necessary to address emergent situations.
• May oversee the daily operation of departmental programs to include coordination of transportation.
• Participates in/on meetings, committees, and/or other related groups involving other agencies, service organizations, hospitals, and other community groups in order to receive and convey information.
• Serves as a liaison between assigned programmatic area and other internal departments, external agencies, and/or other interested parties.
• Corresponds with appropriate agencies to secure required documentation to properly submit necessary claims or obtain necessary services for clients from State and County agencies.
• Conducts field trips to assist clients who cannot come to the office to file for benefits and services.
• Prepares and facilitates training sessions and/or presentations to internal employees, groups, and/or other interested parties related to available programs in assigned area of responsibility.
• Maintains information, data, and statistics on operational activities and prepares related reports.
• Assists attorneys with all aspects of preparing victims for hearings and/or trials.

• Associate's (two-year) degree in Counseling or a related field.
• Two to four years of related experience.
• A four-year college degree in a related field may substitute for up to one year of required experience. Two years directly related experience may substitute for each year of the education requirement, if there is demonstrated knowledge, ability, and skills to perform the work

• Must have valid driver's license and personal vehicle insurance and maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's Vehicle policy.

A background check may be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include but is not limited to: confirmation of a persons' identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position;

review of Department of Motor Vehicles records;
Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by…