Salary : $47,234.00 – $94,462.00 Annually
Location : Hillsborough NC 27278, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 134R-2023-1063, 616
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 10/10/2023
Closing Date: 10/24/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
The Orange County Department of Social Services has an opening for a Human Services Specialist III in the Employment Services Unit. An employee in this class is responsible for the delivery of public assistance service programs and determining client eligibility for public assistance benefits by using intake and processing systems, utilizing NC FAST or other automated systems and involves in depth interviewing, frequently under stressful conditions. Work involves providing counseling, case management, support, and preventive services to at-risk individuals, including families with children and teens; and homeless individuals and making appropriate referrals to individuals and agencies; processing and maintaining a variety of forms and records and arranging for the provision of services in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. This class of positions differs from Human Services Specialist II in the higher level and complexity of assignments.
Work is performed under the general supervision of a Unit Supervisor with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions regarding client needs and requests. Supervision may be a responsibility of this class depending on the assignment. Does DSS-related work as required.
Hiring range is based on years of experience and education.
* This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. Background Check is required.
Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions: Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational, vocational and/or career situations.
Provide individual and group career counseling which may include administering and interpreting career assessments to help individuals make informed career and program of study decisions.
Conducts assessments; develops service plans; provides care coordination; and provides parenting education to adults, families or children;
Makes evaluation of need for services to adults, families or children based on knowledge of all social services programs;
Interviews clients and/or collateral contacts to gather information, secure medical, work history, and other income information, and to determine need and eligibility for benefits and verifies information and investigates discrepancies;
Assists clients in retaining public assistance benefits by updating information in client file and state eligibility systems;
Follows policies and procedures related to eligibility determination and redetermination;
Uses information technology to determine eligibility, to record notes, and to manage records;
Conducts client assessment to identify barriers to employment, including work habits, lack of job search skills, lack of work skills and lack of supporting services, such as transportation or child care;
Develops employment and training plans for clients, which address their social, family and vocational needs, by making appropriate referrals for community and state agency services and by counseling the client to identify and address other barriers;
Documents eligibility decisions and retains copies of client information, financial, psychological, medical, vocational, and court records in order to provide accountability for the expenditure of state and federal funds by recording information in case logs and client files;
Completes reports and forms for documentation of decisions, actions taken, responses to court actions and payment authorization;
Provides clients with information about the availability of services and refers them to appropriate agencies or community programs. Accepts and processes referrals and pass-through payments. Shares information and refers uncooperative recipients for sanctions;
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager, their designee, or the DSS Director, participation in preparedness and response operations, as well as critical agency needs, should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours, and/or work location.
Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations;
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, codes and policies concerning the provision of public assistance programs and their eligibility requirements;
Thorough knowledge of interviewing procedures and practices;
Good knowledge of current social, economic and health trends and services, and the ability to adapt trends to practical program applications and link clients with services needed;
Ability to acquire knowledge of other laws, codes and programs relative to the provision of human services;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, in written and oral form, with a wide variety of clientele, including those with behavioral health issues, to elicit information and explain services;
Ability to relate well with others under stressful conditions;
Ability to read and understand moderately complex written information; Ability to gather, compile and evaluate information and records, prepare reports and make recommendations based on analysis of data collected;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
Ability to lead and guide the work of others as appropriate;
Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintains records, prepare reports, and complete assignments accurately and timely;
Ability to specialize in the use of office automation equipment (including software) and act as a resource to others;
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software;
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field or social work and two (2) years of human services work experience; OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree and three (3) years of human services work experience; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a driver’s license valid by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated
All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until Human Resources has received the results of the required testing and the employee is cleared for work. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Please attach transcript with application.
As with all positions with the Department of Social Services, this position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director.
Physical Requirements and Possible Hazards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Sitting at a computer for many hours per day.
Emotional stress due to the nature of interactions with clients or service providers.
Irate clients and/or family members who may be hostile, resistant or violent.
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, walking, stooping, typing, talking, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping, hearing, handling, reaching and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists/feet.
Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 5 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects including the human body.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a passenger vehicle when applicable, prepare and analyze data and figures, perform work on a computer terminal, and perform extensive reading.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:
- Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
- Orange County contributes 12.85% of your base salary per pay period and 14.10% for LEO.
- Health Insurance (Medical)
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
- Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees’ salary up to $50,000.
- Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
- Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
- Orange County contributes $29.15 per pay period ($757.90 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- Orange County contributes up to an additional $67 ($1742 annually) for voluntary supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
- Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
- 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
- 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
- 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
- 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
- 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
- 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
- 96.2 hours/year
01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.
- Yes
02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?
- Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
- No, I am not an Employee
04
Do you have or are you able to obtain a driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina?
- Yes
- No
05
Please indicated your highest level of education from an accredited school?
- High School or GED
- Associates’ Degree
- Bachelors’ Degree
- Masters’ Degree
06
Please indicate your degree major.
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Related
07
If you indicated Related, please indicate your related degree major.
08
How many years of human services work experience do you have?
- None
- Less than 2 years
- 2 years but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years but less than 7 years
- 7 or more years
09
Please describe your relevant work experience.
10
This position may be required to serve in shelters in time of natural and man-made disasters including overnight and weekends. The duties assigned during this time may vary from your regularly assigned duties. Assigned duties will be at the discretion of the Social Services Director. Are you willing and able to respond during disasters?
- Yes
- No
Required Question