Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.

Job Description

General Statement of Duties

This position performs responsible casework in assessing the need for assigned programs which includes:  Work First, child care, subsidy  emergency assistance and energy assistance.    

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for determining and redetermining eligibility for assigned program areas within timeframes by State and/or County policy.  Employment services and cash assistance are provided to families who are unemployed and under-employed.  This position works with the entire household unit to determine their immediate need, completes assessments, and identifies strengths and weaknesses, barriers, and progress toward self-sufficiency.  Works under the regular supervision of the Income Maintenance Supervisor II.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Performs all duties and tasks for assigned programs, taking and receiving applications for these programs; gathers information to determine  and redetermine eligibility; and processes all paperwork within timeframes established by State and/or County policy
• Conducts interviews to gather relevant eligibility information to process the case; information is gathered on every member of the household
• Verifies, processes and analyzes all information gathered to determine eligibility or redetermine eligibility
• Work is completed in NCFAST
• Applications may be taken in person, over the phone, electronically, or by paper
• Worker and the family work together to formulate the Work First Mutual Responsibility Agreement that addresses the needs of the family and sets goals to help the family move toward self-sufficiency
• Offers appropriate intervention to alleviate crisis
• Makes referrals to other agencies or programs and/or coordinated
• Administers various assessments to monitor the family’s participation in the program
• Identifies barriers or other issues to assist the applicants with focusing on their self-sufficiency goals including providing care to their children
• Adheres to county, state, federal policies, rules and regulations
• Performs mandatory Shelter Duty should the need arise and is a mandatory emergency shelter duty team member
• May be asked to support other agency teams, if needs arise
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other County departments and agencies, health care providers and applicants/clients/family members.
• Ability to deal with different types of personalities, various barriers to sell-sufficiency and socio-economic situations
• Must have a positive attitude
• Must have a thorough knowledge of the program policies and procedures
• Must have a working knowledge of all community agencies and what services they can provide to families

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational support functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to constantly move objects.
• Must have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, work on the computer and perform extensive reading. 
• Must have close visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
• Worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field and two years of experience providing casework services in a human services setting; or a four-year degree and three years of experience providing casework services in a human services setting, one of which must be at the Income Maintenance Caseworker II level; or an Associate degree in a human services field and four years of casework experience, one of which must be at the Income maintenance Caseworker II level; or high school and six years of experience as a caseworker in a human services setting, one of which must be at the Income Maintenance Caseworker II level; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. (Casework services is defined as experience that will provide the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the job.) Work experience as a Human Services Placement Specialist is equal to the Income Maintenance Caseworker II level in the administration of this class.           

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Driver License.