Income Maintenance Caseworker II

Do you take pleasure in assisting others? Are you seeking a workplace that emphasizes your well-being and fosters a healthy balance between your professional and personal life? If so, the Chatham County Department of Social Services could be the perfect opportunity for you Submit your application now to join a team that prioritizes individual growth, cultivates relationships, and promotes a satisfactory work-life balance. You'll be sure to enjoy the fantastic benefits we provide This position is responsible to perform duties related to determining and/or determining eligibility for Economic Services programs such as Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance, Crisis Intervention, Low Income Energy Assistance, and Childcare Subsidy. Work at this level includes such tasks as interviewing clients to obtain required information, completing initial applications, verifying the information obtained, determining eligibility, or completing scheduled program reviews. Employees must explain program(s) requirements and options and advise or refer clients to other program services as appropriate. Employees are generally assigned a primary program; however, cross-training in other program areas may be required. Employees will report to the Economic Services Supervisor. Work involves direct contact with the client and direct or indirect contact with the clients' family or representative and collaterals to gather and verify any information necessary to determine clients' eligibility for the program(s). Employees' decisions are usually subject to a second review. Employees are seen as representatives of the agency, and eligibility decisions commit the agency to providing clients with economic services. Responsibilities: Perform intake, processing, and review; For intake, obtain all pertinent data concerning the clients' family composition, financial, employment, and health status and enter the required information into NCFAST; For processing applications, utilize the NCFAST and any other required software technology to verify all information obtained during intake; For redetermination or review of the client’s case on a periodic basis, reverify the clients' eligibility for continued participation in the program using NCFAST and any other required software technology; Responsible for reacting appropriately to changes that occur within a client’s situation that may affect eligibility status; Work directly with the public either face-to-face or by phone; Maintain an ongoing caseload of the identified primary program as designated by the supervisor; Run and monitor daily caseload reports; Employees with lead worker responsibilities require greater familiarity with program policies and processing functions to correct any errors detected during second-party reviews; Refer to all applicable policies, procedures, and NC DHHS communications required to complete the eligibility determination process; Serve on a shelter team during hurricanes, storms, and other disasters as determined by Emergency Management; Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements: One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or a degree from an accredited college or university; or an Associates degree in accounting, business administration, human services, secretarial science, or closely related field and at least two years of paraprofessional, clerical or other public contact experience which includes negotiating, interviewing, obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data; or a high school diploma and at least five years of paraprofessional, clerical or other public contact experience which includes negotiating, interviewing, obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of the economic program assigned (e.g., Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services); General knowledge of all agency and community programs and services that could affect the client/applicant; Ability to understand the needs and problems of the clients/applicants; Skill in mathematical reasoning and computational skills; Ability to read, analyze, and interpret rules, regulations, and procedures; Ability to communicate orally and in writing; Ability to demonstrate excellent listening skills; Ability to obtain information through interviewing and observation; Ability to adapt to policy and practice changes; Ability to instruct and evaluate the work of lower-level employees; Ability to perform work using multiple local and state technology systems including NCFAST, Northwoods, iiReception, Microsoft Office, web browsers, virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and other commonly used electronic programs; Skilled in operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and calculators; Skilled in maintaining a calm disposition in a variety of situations and maintaining confidentiality; Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service, work with a diverse group of individuals, and provide equitable treatment to all; Ability to keep records; Ability to perform and organize work independently; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, employees, associates, community groups, and the public. Physical Requirements: This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling, feeling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking and occasionally requires standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately quiet location (e.g. business office). Special Requirements: Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license. Must complete all applicable required training including Confidentiality, Civil Rights, FEMA and Red Cross Shelter Training, Bloodborne Pathogens, NCFAST Core Functions, Level 1, and other state trainings, new employee orientation, and Chatham County Department of Social Services Policy and Procedures. Work is primarily office-based with limited remote work possible after successful completion of necessary training and probation. Some travel to local or state meetings may be required. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. This position must be available during working hours so that clients can receive the necessary services. One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker is necessary to fully qualify as an IMC II. If a fully qualified IMC II is not available, we will consider hiring an IMC I with a work-against for one year. #J-18808-Ljbffr