Case Services Aid

Archuleta County is looking for a qualified individual to fill the position of a Case Services Aid / Fraud & Claims Technician

Our Case Services Aid / Fraud & Claims Technician earns a competitive wage of $19.80-$27.73 hourly, depending on experience and qualifications. We offer excellent benefits, including two medical plans to choose from, dental, vision, a 401(a) retirement plan- with matching employee contribution election between 4% and 7%- 10 paid holidays, 23 days of paid vacation, an additional 40 hours of paid leave for exempt employees, and $50,000 of life and AD&D insurance. If this sounds like the right for you, apply today

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides paraprofessional services to clients in support of a professional caseworker and previously developed case plan; makes home visits and assists with activities of daily living.

Conducts investigations into alleged fraudulent activities which include reviewing Department of Human Services case files; interviewing witnesses and clients in the office and in the field; researching public and private records to locate unreported assets, employment or household composition, and conducting on-site observations of suspects at their residence or work.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direction from the Casework Supervisor

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides emotional support/nurturing to adults, families, and children; encourages children and parents to share feelings and emotions; utilizes relationships with clients to facilitate growth, family stability and goal attainment.
• Instructs parents in parenting skills; role models techniques; researches and offers ideas for activities parents can do with their children and for better communication skills with children.
• Instructs and/or assists clients in life skills, such as budgeting, shopping, finding and maintaining quality day care, personal hygiene, finding and maintaining housing, transportation issues, finding and using community resources, and promoting positive self-image and self-esteem.
• Coordinates necessary appointments for at-risk adults and for children in placement; makes appointments for dental and medical checkups; provides transportation when necessary for appointments.
• Updates Caseworker Supervisor of client/family progress and assists any/all Caseworkers as needed.
• Establishes and maintains clear communications with staff, clients, foster parents, other professional agencies, school staff and family members.
• Maintains accurate records and prepares related reports.
• Documents communications with clients; assists in creating case plans with caseworkers; creates visitation schedules; and works with the client/foster parent on visitation schedule.
• Completes required paperwork; performs data entry; develops new and updated forms as necessary; requests copies of required documents as needed; and compiles information for use by others.
• Performs clerical/administrative tasks including filing and assisting with redacting files and the records request process, ordering office supplies; maintaining county vehicles and requesting service as needed; and providing office phone coverage.
• Serves as backup intake worker for general assistance and food assistance applications.
• Conducts investigations into alleged activities that include reviewing crime reports of law enforcement agencies; interviewing witnesses and suspects in the office and in the field; and locating and collecting evidence pertaining to the allegation.
• Completes internal investigations into wrong doing by Department of Human Services Employees.
• Applies federal and state law and Department of Human Services regulations to determine if a provable violation has occurred; determines the appropriate jurisdiction to hear the evidence and render a decision (i.e., Administrative Law Judge, County Court, District Court or Tribal Prosecution).
• Prepares investigative reports, issues summons and maintains evidence for prosecution.
• Presents testimony on the outcome of investigations in Administrative hearings, civil hearings and criminal court proceedings.
• Maintains liaisons between various agencies in the Sixth Judicial Court; coordinates cases with the District Attorney, County Attorney's or Tribal prosecutor; assists in preparation of cases for trial or hearings with legal staff to facilitate repayment of public assistance funds as a result of fraud, misrepresentation or ineligibility.
• Maintains statistics and prepares and presents quarterly and yearly reports.
• Interacts with a variety of high-level individuals, both internally and within the community to provide information, disseminate departmental fraud information.
• Composes and prepares letters, memos, notices, agendas, reports or other correspondence in accordance with standard policies.
• Establishes recoveries in Colorado Benefits Management System if non-system generated; establishes and/or enters recovery agreements; enters repayments from Electronic Benefits
• Transfer card; prepares promissory notes; writes letters advising of intent to bring court action for accounts receivable; troubleshoots overpayments and recoveries in state computer system.
• Determines best venue for recovery; files in appropriate jurisdiction small claims or civil court ; files writ of garnishment, levy, and petition to act on judgments; files judgments with the county clerk; follows up with garnishments and client's job moves; skip traces clients with balances; revives judgments older than six years; if warranted, prepares and sends the case to District Attorney's office; represents the county in state hearings.
• Communicates with DHS business office for payment of Interim Assistance Reimbursement.
• Collaborates with others on task assignments as directed by supervisor.

OTHER DUTIES

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Education, Experience

• High School diploma or GED; and,
• Two to three years of public contact experience related to the position.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid State Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Basic caseworker principles and practices.
• Placement prevention skills.
• Intervention/mediation skills.
• Community resources available to assist clients.
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in:

• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Using mathematics.
• Testifying in court.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

Ability to:

• Respond to each client with empathy and respect.
• Make critical decisions in high risk and high stress situations.
• Conduct accurate assessments related to cases assigned.
• Deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• Computer(s) General Office Equipment Calculator Copy Machine
• Motor Vehicle(s) Camera Shredder Cell Phone
• Pagers Video Recorder Audio Recorder Printer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to have the ability to move to and from various points within the office. Travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation.
• Ability to work with hands above shoulder height or arms extended at shoulder height. The employee is required to use hand to finger, handle, grasp or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Requires repetitive movement's standard in office-related activities such as typing, and sitting and standing, talking in person and via telephone. This position is occasionally required to stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth deception and the ability to adjust focus. Requires full range of peripheral vision to monitor multiple computer systems.
• Requires full range of hearing to be able to communicate via the telephone, and in person, ability to hear and conduct routine conversation. Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to individuals or groups in an informational or instructional situation.
• Working time may require irregular hours and/or on-call status.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.

• Work is typically performed in a variety of environments including the office, client homes, community agencies and schools, and may involve potential exposure to hazardous and/or violent environments and/or clients. The incumbents working conditions are typically moderately quiet, but may be loud at times.