family support specialist

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hiring range for this position is $49, $59, Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 18.

This recruitment is hiring for a position in the Child Welfare Department.

General Definition of Work:

This position is responsible for making initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for programs such as Foster Care and Adoption Assistance payments, and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and Interstate Compact on Adoption Medical Assistance (ICAMA). The role involves various administrative and support functions to ensure eligibility requirements are met and compliance with applicable regulations is maintained.

Essential Functions:

Intermediate professional social work: Interviewing clients to determine the scope of the problem and client's ability to deal with the problem; performing assessments to identify needs; developing services plans and monitoring service delivery for clients and/or families to address issues of employment, vocational, health or behavioral issues; providing support/directive counseling to address problems. Preparing case summaries and reports; maintaining records, files and confidentiality.

Difficult paraprofessional work: Interviewing, taking applications, gathering information, assessing situations, determining eligibility, and processing applications, changes, and recertifications for supported programs; entering and maintaining case data in the appropriate county and state systems; maintaining a caseload or participating in maintaining case bank and reviewing all cases at designated review periods to determine a family's or individual's continuing eligibility; maintaining records, files, and confidentiality.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Typical Tasks:

• Conducts intensive complex case management assessments of cases involving multiple problems with clients to assure clients are in compliance with Federal and State IV-E Regulations in relation to participation rates and other State and Federal goals.
• Collaborates with key team members to facilitate needed support services and make referrals to community resources.
• Performs daily monitoring of program; maintains monthly reports; enters data accurately into computer system for all case records.
• Develops, coordinates, monitors all services required to assist participants to reach goals; establishes and maintains working relationships with community agencies, and participates in group meetings and outreach activities.
• Gathers and reviews household income, financial resources, and residency data resulting in authorizing amounts of assistance for programs.
• Reviews declaration forms and other application forms; verifies this information through telephone calls and correspondence with employers, neighbors and other similar contacts.
• Explains program requirements and options, informs client of rights and responsibilities as prescribed by program policies.
• Responds to inquiries from clients and citizens regarding benefits, application process, and/or program eligibility.
• Maintains electronic records, enters and retrieves data from the appropriate state and county systems and produces monthly financial reports.
• Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations.
• Coordinates applications, appeals and SSI benefit status with SSA, including completion of reviews and submission of requested information in a timely manner.
• Completes child support referrals electronically (NC Fast)/hard copies (CCDHS)
• Provides administrative support of Adoption Assistance program by, disseminating Adoption Subsidy information and notification of reviews to adoptive parents.
• Completes and/or keys state and federal forms in appropriate systems (including 5120, 5120A/5120E DSS 5027, DSS 5095) which are required for reimbursement of vendor payments.
• Keys new applications in NC Fast for new custody cases within 3 days
• Completes requests for birth and death certificates for the Child Welfare division, maintains a log of the documents and physical files.
• Gathers medical psych-social information, completing and submitting applications for disability benefits for children in Foster Care.
• Assisting with diligent efforts for Social Work with open Child Protective Services Investigations
• Provides adoptive parents with community resources and referrals.
• Provides support to social workers to facilitate child centered case management services.
• Collaborates with front line SW staff to determine and maintain appropriate funding classification throughout the life of the case.
• Maintains electronic records, enters and retrieves data from the appropriate state and county systems and produces monthly financial reports.
• Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong understanding of the economic and social conditions of the populations served. General knowledge of available service programs, including their purposes, eligibility criteria, and resources. Skilled in assessing client needs, determining eligibility for services, and identifying supports that promote economic self-sufficiency. Ability to build and maintain rapport with a diverse range of clients and members of the business community. Comprehensive knowledge of assigned program areas. Ability to read, interpret, and apply federal, state, and county program rules, regulations, and procedures. Working knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment. Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions; prioritize tasks; manage case functions within required timelines; and maintain accurate and complete records and reports. Strong mathematical reasoning and computation skills with a high degree of accuracy. Effective verbal and written communication skills with individuals from diverse social, economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing direct adult, family or child welfare services to include but not limited to the areas of support services, counseling, case management, and assessment and referral is required.
• Demonstrated experience with income eligibility determination, case processing, or coordination is required. Medicaid determination is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with families involved in the child welfare or human services system strongly preferred.
• Strong NC Fast knowledge or possession of NC Fast Phase 1 and/or 2 certification is strongly preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.

Special Requirements:

Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Position is a safety-sensitive position as defined by Cabarrus County's Drug Free Workplace Policy. Position may occasionally require working before/after normal hours to meet the needs of families/clients.

Physical Requirements:

Work is classified as light, generally requiring up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, and minimal force constantly. Certain tasks may require lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally. Duties involve climbing stairs during home visits; kneeling; standing or walking while interviewing clients; and performing reaching, grasping, and repetitive hand motions. The position requires clear verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to read and interpret written and computer-based information. Employees may encounter individuals who are upset or hostile and may be required to enter homes that are unsafe or unsanitary. Travel may occur in areas with safety concerns or limited access to emergency services. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens is possible, and personal protective equipment may be required.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 – 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.

For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR