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Social Services Program Specialist Page 1 I 3 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 1/10/01 SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST DISTINGUISHING FEAUTRES OF THE CLASS: This position is for training incumbents in the intake and on-going case management of applicants for and recipients of a variety of services provided by a local Social Services district. This position differs from a Social Welfare Examiner position in the scope of program knowledge and multiple programs administered and the incumbent makes routine home and field visits. Incumbents undergo a comprehensive training program consisting of state and local sponsored formal courses and seminars and on-the-job work experience under the close supervision of either a Social Welfare Manager or a Case Supervisor, Grade B. Work assignments increase in level of complexity and responsibility as incumbents progress in training and increase their competency. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Intake Activities: Conducts an initial intake interview with applicants to obtain a wide variety of information required to assess an applicant's needs, eligibility for services offered and related matters; Review forms completed by an applicant to ensure that they are complete and consistent; Where necessary, request additional information from the applicant and others regarding incomplete forms and to clarify any discrepancies and/or inconsistencies noticed in information submitted; Provides applicants with an overview of the services and programs available through the agency including the purposes and requirement of such services and programs; Advises applicants of services provided by other agencies; Makes initial assessment of an applicant's needs including but not limited to emergency needs in the areas of housing, food, finances, etc., non-emergency needs in the areas of child care, health care, education, employment, etc.; Evaluates and/or screens applicants in the areas of identity and citizenship documentation, potential for fraudulent claims, substance abuse, domestic violence, child support enforcement, etc.; Makes referrals as necessary to fraud investigations unit, child support enforcement and others; Establishes goal plans with families to promote financial independence and acts as an educator to help families resolve financial and social problems. On-going Case Management Activities: Opens and closes temporary and disability assistance and Medicaid cases; Computes and issues home energy, Medicaid and family assistance grants, food stamp allotments, vendor/voucher and child care assistance; Assesses the applicants/recipients education, experience, aptitudes and interests to determine appropriate job placement; On-going Case Management Activities: Assists recipients in obtaining employment by contacting potential employers, and performing job bank searches; Conducts and arranges for on-going training related to securing and maintaining employment on ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Services Program Specialist Page 2 I 3 a group or individual basis including such things as preparation of resumes, completion of job applications, preparation for and conduct during job interviews; Monitors compliance with employment requirements by verifying recipient contacts with employers and employment agencies; Monitors recipient progress in completing education and occupational training and on-the-job work performance; Works with recipients to resolve problems that hinder continued employment such as lack of transportation, child care, etc.; Monitors recipients compliance with a variety of program regulations to detect and prevent fraud; Conducts periodic on-going group and/or individual face to face recertification of recipient's eligibility for various programs; Reviews on-going payments to determine if any over or under payments have been made and takes appropriate corrective action; Prepares and presents and/or assists in the preparation and presentation of administrative fair hearings and employment conciliation. Operates a personal computer and/or mainframe terminal; Makes home visits. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Working knowledge of Federal, State and local rules, regulations and laws that govern applicant/recipient eligibility for social services financial assistance and employability requirements; Working knowledge of programs that relate to eligibility for social services programs such as Workers Compensation, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, etc.; Working knowledge of agencies that provide employment services and occupational training; Working knowledge of employment recruitment, screening and placement principles and techniques; Working knowledge of methods of using computerized information processing systems; Ability to operate a personal computer and/or mainframe terminal; Ability to gather and analyze eligibility information and compare to eligibility criterion and make correct decisions regarding eligibility; Ability to evaluate applicant/recipient education, experience, aptitude and interest to determine appropriate job placement and occupational training; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others; Good powers of observation and perception; Good judgment; Emotional maturity; Initiative, tact, physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Graduation from a regionally accredited NYS registered college or university with an Associate's Degree or higher and three years of experience in examining, investigating, or evaluating claims for social service assistance, unemployment, insurance, veteran's benefits, or a similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility; OR Possession of a High School Diploma or high school equivalency diploma AND five years of experience as listed in above; OR ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Services Program Specialist Page 3 I 3 An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of and above. NOTE: Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid New York State driver's license appropriate to the vehicles operated.