Social Services - IMC II (FNS Unit)

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: The Income Maintenance Unit is a blended Unit of IMC Is, IIs, IIIs in WFFA, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Family and Children’s Medicaid, Adult Medicaid, and Daycare Services. The purpose of the Unit is to determine eligibility and provide benefits to eligible households in these programs. Workers respond to changes in household composition and income to maintain the proper levels of benefits for each household.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The primary purpose of this position is for 95% of the positions duties to be utilized to determine eligibility for other assistance programs within the Unit (FNS). Assists in disaster response efforts including, but not limited to, shelter duty and adheres to other duties as assigned by the Director (5%).

WORK SCHEDULE: Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

90% Public Assistance

The caseworker: interviews and investigates applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their application; explains eligibility requirements, form completion requirements, and community resources for financial assistance; selects and refers eligible applicants to public assistance; interprets and explains rules and regulations governing eligibility and grants, payment methods, and applicant's legal rights; records and evaluates personal and financial data to determine initial or continuing eligibility; initiates procedures to grant, modify, deny or terminate eligibility and grants for various assistance programs; authorizes amounts of grants, payments, daycare, or other general assistance; prepares regular and special reports, keeps records of assigned cases, and submits individual recommendations; prepares and assists applicants in completion of routine intake and personnel forms; reviews training approval forms and payment vouchers for completeness and accuracy; secures supplementary information, such as employment or other financial records; counsels individuals or family members regarding resources; refers client to community resources for needed assistance; determines client's eligibility for financial assistance; reviews service plan and performs follow-up to determine quantity and quality of service provided to client.

10% Other Duties

The case worker adheres to other duties assigned to by the Director at the Director’s discretion. The caseworker also assists in disaster relief efforts that include but it not limited to shelter duty.

OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:

1. Accuracy Required in Work: Accuracy in information gathering, processing and documentation is essential for ensuring the proper provision of daycare services, managing daycare funds, and determining initial and ongoing eligibility in other public assistance programs.

2. Consequence of Error: While disciplinary action is an obvious consequence for error, also important is the potential for overpayments or improper denial/approval of benefits which can prove costly for the county.

3. Instruction Provided to Employee: Employee is provided on the job training and is afforded the opportunity to attend additional training when it is available. Unit Supervisor shares new policy and procedures when necessary. Regular supervision of the staffing of cases is available to the employee. Department of Health and Human Services Program Representatives are available via telephone and email as needed and on site quarterly.

4. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee: Online manuals are used to assist in the completion of day-to-day practice. Other reference materials are used when appropriate. Consultation with Program & State Representatives is conducted regularly.

5. Supervision Received by Employee: Regular supervision is available to the employee when the need arises, as scheduled by the supervisor for the staffing of cases, review of policy and establishment of work plan.

6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contact: Personal contact with individuals, families, professionals, and agencies is required for the effective provision of childcare services and eligibility determination. Contact is in person, at the office, in the home, in the community, on the telephone, via email and in writing.

7. Physical Effort: The employee is required to be in the office and out in the field intermittently. Employees may have to walk up steps, carry records, assist mobility-limited clients, etc. Work in the field may occur in adverse weather conditions.

8. Work Environment and Conditions: Employee has his/her own office that is at least eighty (80) square feet in size. This is an office environment with other employees, regular flow of client traffic, intercom telephone system, and an active lobby, thus, general office noise is moderate. The employee has his/her own personal computer and telephone.

9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used: Equipment used includes telephone, computer, calculator, copy machine, scanner/printer, fax machine, and stamp machine.

10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills: Close visual attention is required in evaluating and observing childcare facilities and homes and in the prevention and detection of errors that could affect eligibility.

11. Safety for Others: Shelter duty requires the general oversight of shelter residents to ensure their safety and well-being.

12. Dynamics of Work: Work is unpredictable as an application can be made at any time during business hours. Worker must be flexible to stop a current activity to meet the needs of a client at any given moment. New cases and ongoing clients’ needs arise unexpectedly.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

A. Considerable knowledge of the program/areas of assignment. General knowledge of all agency and community programs and services which could affect the client/applicant. Good mathematical reasoning and computational skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret rules, regulations, and procedures. Ability to communicate with clients/applicants, the public at large, and public officials to obtain data, and to explain and interpret rules, regulations, and procedures. Ability to instruct and to evaluate the work of lower-level employees. Ability to perform caseworker functions within structured time limits.

B. Minimum Training and Experience Requirements - One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

C. Valid NC Driver’s license and vehicle accessible for work.

Please complete and sign an NC State Application for Employment to be considered for this position. You may submit completed applications by mail at 122 Main St. Gatesville, NC 27938 or by email at gatesdss@gatescountync.gov or to wperry@gatesocuntync.gov.