Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.

Job Description

General Statement of Duties

The primary purpose of the Income Maintenance Caseworker I is to assist the IMCII’s by gathering information needed to determine or redetermine eligibility for all Income Maintenance programs, address concerns, and answer questions.  This position will take and process applications for Energy Assistance (LIEAP, CIP), Medicaid Transportation, and will support other programs by taking applications by phone or in person as needs dictate.  Assistance is provided for individuals with questions, changes, or information to report in any Income Maintenance program including but not limited to Food & Nutrition Services, Medicaid, Energy Programs, and Child Care.    This work is done in NCFAST.  The Income Maintenance Caseworker I is responsible for assessing the expressed needs and determining the appropriate program for which the individual or his or her family may be eligible.  Caseworkers receive reports of change in circumstance that may affect ongoing eligibility and information must be forwarded to the appropriate worker in a timely manner.  This position is responsible for interviewing clients to obtain required information.  This position must explain program(s) requirements and options and advise or refer clients to other program services as appropriate.  This position is often stationed at the reception desk, but may be stationed in other areas, as workload needs dictate. 

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for interviewing clients to gather information from individuals applying for, recertifying their benefits, or reporting changes and may be in support of any program or service provided by the agency.  Employee provides intake and case maintenance and may determine eligibility for their assigned program – ie Energy, Childcare, NEMT.  

Illustrative Examples of Work – not all inclusive

• Performs reception duties:  receives applications for Income Maintenance eligibility programs such as Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Child Care Subsidy, and Energy Programs.
• Interviews applicants to obtain information needed to make appropriate determination of eligibility.
• Enters reception information into applicable computer program to notify workers that a client is ready to be seen for services.
• Refers clients to other agencies or community services that may meet their specific needs.
• Complete thorough documentation pertaining to programs discussed.
• Ensures all appropriate forms are completed and signed for each applicant/client/benefit and scans forms into NCFAST.
• Employee enters applicant information into NCFAST based on information being reported.
• Employee may be required to contact third party sources for needed information.
• Scans all documentation and verifications into NCFAST.  
• Performs case maintenance for continued eligibility according to Federal, State and County policy/procedure for assigned program area.
• Processes changes in client status for assigned program areas.
• Assists clients and answers questions regarding services provided by DSS, as-well-as information regarding services other agencies provide.
• Registers individuals in NCFAST -  for new clients and verifies/updates client’s name, address, birth date and social security number as-well-as each household members’ information as necessary.
• Links e-pass accounts for clients.
• Provides the client with required documents  based on the services being applied for, scans documents into NCFAST.
• Enters reception information into applicable computer program to notify workers that a client is ready to be seen for services.
• Provides clients with the opportunity to register to vote and forwards registration forms as-well-as signed forms declining to register to the Board of Elections.
• Processes paperwork and applications in a timely and accurate manner according to Federal, State and County policy and procedural guidelines. 
• Adheres to state, federal, county and department’s policy, rules, and regulations.
• Mandatory emergency shelter duty should the need arise
• Other duties as assigned.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have knowledge of Income Maintenance eligibility programs ie: Food & Nutrition Services, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, and Energy Programs.
• Must have thorough knowledge of multiple computer programs including but not limited to; NCFAST, Compass and One Case.
• Must have good interviewing and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must have a positive attitude and be flexible as the workload and environment can be stressful and duties varied.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions in order to quickly and efficiently gather needed information.
• Ability to listen to clients, identify needs, and make appropriate referrals to other units within DSS and/or community organizations.
• Must have good documentation skills. 
• Ability to work quickly and with total accuracy under stressful situations and with frequent interruptions.
• Must have good general computer skills and knowledge.
• Must have good mathematical and computation skills to accurately compute budgets and/or deductibles. 
• Ability to read, understand, retain and apply constantly changing policies.
• Must be very organized and able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with clients from various socio-economic groups and knowledge of the needs of the economically disadvantaged.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other County departments, children, adults, school personnel, businesses, civic and community organizations and the general public.
• Ability to work as a team member to meet goals and objectives.

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.
• Light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects.
• Must have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, work on the computer and perform extensive reading. 
• Worker is subject to inside environmental conditions:  protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
• 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

Graduation from an accredited associate degree program in Human Services Technology, Social Services Associate, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum; or graduation from high school and two years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks with at least one year of such experience being in an income maintenance program; or graduation from high school and three years of paraprofessional, clerical or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, the gathering and compiling of data, the analysis of data and/or the performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Course work at a Community College, Business or Technical School or course work at a four-year college or university may be substituted for general experience on a year for year basis for this class, but not for experience in an Income Maintenance Program.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid NC Driver's License