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Senior Social Welfare Examiner Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 03/28/11; 12/18/12; 5/23/23 SENIOR SOCIAL WELFARE EXAMINER DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for the supervision of Social Welfare Examiners and/or Trainees engaged in the intake and eligibility determinations of individuals for various social services programs. The incumbent manages workflow, supervises and reviews the work of subordinate staff and is responsible for the final approval or disapproval of a determination. The Senior Social Welfare Examiner performs case related duties on an as needed basis, and assists in resolving more complex issues. The work is performed under the general supervision of a senior staff member, with leeway permitted for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Provides supervision for subordinate staff, including training, case assignment, and performance evaluations; Reviews cases and determinations for completeness and accuracy and decides if further action is required to ensure timely completion and conformity with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; Determines or re-determines financial eligibility for assistance programs and authorizes benefits and payments within program guidelines; Formulates and implements employment plans with individuals by assessing needs to obtain employment, and identify barriers to employment; Performs investigations of cases involving suspected fraud on the part of Social Services applicants and recipients or vendors providing goods or services, including: securing evidence, cooperation with law enforcement, preparing legal documents, and testifying in legal proceedings when needed; Makes field and office visits to conduct personal interviews with benefit applicants and recipients, fraud suspects, employers and other individuals to secure information necessary to determine program eligibility or ascertain the existence of fraudulent behavior; Maintains current knowledge of Social Services laws and regulations, and serves as a resource to staff in researching questions on eligibility and community resources; Prepares and monitors the timely completion of a variety of reports and maintains records in compliance with laws, rules and regulations; Maintains cooperative working relationships with other units, divisions and government agencies to facilitate the delivery of service; Attends continuing education training regarding new State and Federal laws and rules concerning social services programs and implements new procedures in order to adopt new laws and rules into practice; Prepares and presents information at administrative fair hearings for applicants and recipients who dispute the agency's determination of benefits. ---PAGE BREAK--- Senior Social Welfare Examiner Page 2 I 2 FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of State and Federal laws and rules governing eligibility for social services benefits programs; Good knowledge of community services, programs, agencies and employment resources; Good knowledge of programs that relate to eligibility for social services; Good knowledge of interview techniques and practices; Ability to plan and supervise the work of others; Ability to review eligibility determinations for completeness and accuracy; Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs; Ability to review the work of others to determine conformity with applicable laws and rules as well as for completeness and accuracy; Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of an Associate’s degree or higher and two years of full-time paid experience or its part-time equivalent working with the public; OR Possession of a high school diploma or equivalency diploma and four years of experience as defined in above; OR An equivalent combination of training or experience as defined by the limits of and NOTE: Your 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 your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.