Salary: See Position Description
Location : Social Services Main Hickory, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01751
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 06/02/2023
Closing Date: 6/16/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Position Description
SALARY RANGE: $36,472.79 – $60,180.10 (Compensation negotiable within the salary range for fully qualified applicants. Salary rates are based on education, skill, and experience level as well as internal equity and market rates.)
Catawba County Social Services is seeking an individual who can provide outstanding customer service, enjoys helping persons from all walks of life, possesses strong organizational and multi-tasking abilities, and who would thrive in a fast pace environment for an Eligibility Specialist I (IMC I) position. In the Eligibility Specialist I position, you will provide front-facing customer service to citizens requesting to apply for or recertify for Economic Services, which includes Adult and Family Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services, including interviewing and connecting them to appropriate services.
Applicants with bilingual speaking skills (Spanish-English) are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
- Interview walk-in clients to determine if eligible for expedited processing of benefits
- Research and updates in NCFAST database system, including entering of applications and recertifications
- Answer a large volume of incoming calls
- Investigate and answer program specific inquiries
- Obtain appropriate paperwork from clients
- Complete online data and resources verifications in NCFAST database system
- Mail forms and assist caseworkers with special projects
- Accept fraud payments
- Distribute mail and reports
- Complete and run reports
- Obtain documentation from court as needed
- Cover reception duties for other units as needed
Qualifications
- Associates degree in Human Services, Business, or a closely related field; OR
- High school diploma and GED equivalent and 2 years of demonstrated experience with mathematical work and/or public contact involving interviewing, gathering, and compiling information and 1 year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; OR
- High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of demonstrated experience with mathematical work and/or public contact involving interviewing, gathering, and compiling information
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to multi-task and remain organized
- Outstanding customer services skills with the ability to work with a variety of people
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to answer a multi-line phone system and large volume of calls
- Ability to answer the phone and research/type into a computer system simultaneously
- Strong computer skills with the ability to maneuver in complex software systems, including excellent typing and keyboarding skills
As of 7/1/2022:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees’ suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization. Available benefits include:
Health Care
- Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
- Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren) and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
- Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents, with 2 plan options to choose from.
- Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts which can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision expenses.
Employee Wellness
- Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers’ compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care available to employee’s children ages 5-17 regardless of health insurance coverage and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
- Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education and more.
- Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.
Work Life Balance
- Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-21 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Time off for activities that support our local schools.
- Continuing educational assistance.
- Discount tickets to recreational venues.
- Employee appreciation days/activities.
- Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.
Financial Security
- Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
- 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
- Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
- Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
- Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times employee’s annual salary with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
- Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
- Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).
01
Describe any employment experience you have in 1) interviewing, 2) gathering and analyzing data, 3) verifying information, and 4) working with deadlines.
02
Briefly describe your most significant experience that you believe demonstrates your ability to interact with people from various social, economic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds. If no experience in this area, please indicate “N/A” in this space.
03
Describe your experience working with complex computer systems. Be specific.
Required Question