Programs Specialist I​/II

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services is seeking a dedicated Benefit Programs Specialist who is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of adults, families, and children.

Benefit Programs Specialist I represents the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to full-performance Benefit Programs Specialist II with a corresponding salary increase as indicated by the local department’s compensation plan.

Benefit Programs Specialist I is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist II by the latter’s performing all the assigned eligibility duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.

Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other social services benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures, and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility.

Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only.

• Conduct interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determine their continuing eligibility;
• Explain nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determine reasons and need for assistance;
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion, explaining client responsibilities, rights, and program availability;
• Evaluate consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiate its accuracy;
• Compute assistance plans;
• Determine the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment;
• Evaluate employability status of clients and explore potential sources of income;
• Interpret policies and procedures applicable to the various programs;
• Monitor cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implement changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines;
• Identify possible fraud and make appropriate referrals;
• Provide applicants or recipients with information about other agencies and services as needed;
• Explain a variety of programs under the social services umbrella, including employment services, child support services, and child care services;
• Refer clients to service workers or social workers based on the overall assessment of the situation;
• Prepare reports and maintain client records;
• Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients.

Working knowledge of public service practices; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local, and Federal guidelines, regulations, and policies; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas, and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as…