DSS Human Services Specialist II*

Salary : $44,930.00 – $89,856.00 Annually

Location : Hillsborough NC 27278, NC

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 180-2023-246

Department: Social Services

Opening Date: 10/12/2023

Closing Date: 10/26/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

General Description

The Orange County Department of Social Services has an opening for a Human Services Specialist II in Adult Medicaid. 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. An employee in this class is responsible for determining eligibility for benefits and recertifying recipients for continued benefits for Adult Long-Term Medicaid or other Adult Medicaid programs.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Human Services Supervisor with oversight and assistance provided by the Human Services Coordinator 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 is not a responsibility of this class. Does related work as required.

* Background Check 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.

Interviews clients and/or collateral contacts to gather information, to secure medical, work history, and other income information, and to determine need and eligibility for benefits.

Verifies information and investigates discrepancies;

Assists clients in retaining public assistance benefits by updating information in client file and state eligibility systems and 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;

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:
Knowledge of principles of interviewing and other information gathering techniques.

Knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors which influence poverty and unemployment.

Knowledge of available state and federal human service assistance programs and their eligibility requirements.

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.

Knowledge of assessment principles and techniques.

Ability to compute complex equations using addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentages.

Ability to conduct interview/assessments, summarize and interpret findings.

Ability to apply analytical thinking and deductive reasoning to arrive at reasonable judgments.

Ability to interpret and apply county, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures in specific case situations.

Ability to communicate complex information effectively, with a wide variety of people; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective relationships with diverse populations.

Ability to understand medical and vocational terminology and legal principles.

Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintain records, prepare reports, formulate treatment plans and complete other caseload management functions.

Ability to use information technology to enter client information, determine eligibility, make changes in client cases, and enter documentation.

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 one (1) year of human services work experience; OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years of human services work; OR

An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated is required.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of pre-employment drug testing and background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Please attached any certifications you have related to this position.

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 prepare and analyze data and figures, perform transcription, perform extensive reading and operate a computer terminal.

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.
  • Dental 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.
  • Vision Insurance
    • Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
  • Life Insurance
    • 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.
  • Short Term Disability
    • 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.
  • Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy
  • Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance
  • 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
    • 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
  • Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)
    • 96.2 hours/year
  • Tuition reimbursement assistance
  • Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

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 indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.

  • High School or GED
  • Associates’ Degree
  • Bachelors’ Degree
  • Masters’ Degree
  • Professional Certifications

06

Please indicate your degree major.

07

Have you completed any coursework or certificates related to DSS caseworker or NCFAST? If so, indicate the name the course or certificates, including when and where did you completed them.

08

Do you have experience determining eligibility for benefits and/or recertifying recipients for continued benefits for Adult Long-Term Medicaid or other Adult Medicaid programs?

  • Yes
  • No

09

How many years of human services work experience do you have?

  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 but less than 2 years
  • 2 years but less than 4 years
  • 4 years but less than 6 years
  • 6 or more years

10

Please describe your human services experience. If none, indicate N/A.

11

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

12

Did you attach an official or unofficial copy of your transcript?

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Job Category
Social Services
Job Type
Full Time/Permanent
Salary
USD 44,930.00 - 89,856.00 per year
Country
United States
City
Hillsborough
Career Level
unspecified
Company
Orange County, NC
JOB SOURCE
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/jobs/4238486