Benefit Programs Specialist Senior - Norfolk, United States - City of Norfolk, VA

Description

Benefit Programs Specialist Senior

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Benefit Programs Specialist Senior

Salary

$48, $79,765.00 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Special Project w/Retirement

Job Number

12029

Department

Human Services

Division

Division of Social Services

Opening Date

04/29/2024

Closing Date

5/9/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

The City of Norfolk's Department of Human Services is committed to improving the lives of children, families, and communities through comprehensive services that support the well-being of Norfolk citizens.

The Department of Human Services is seeking to fill a Benefit Programs Specialist, Senior position who serves as a lead worker and as a resource to the Benefit Programs Specialists to provide guidance for difficult eligibility determinations and policy/procedural clarifications. The worker mentors/trains less experienced workers and support staff. The Benefit Programs Specialist, Senior may be required to process 10% more cases than the Benefit Programs Specialist. They also may be responsible for reading cases and putting in the RUSHMORE system. The Benefit Programs Specialist, Senior interviews, reviews and evaluates information from applicants to determine or re-determine, eligibility for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid and other benefits. They work collaboratively with other employees and the public to ensure that each client is served efficiently and effectively.

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Determines initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs and services (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, Senior Real Estate Tax Relief and Childcare), by interviewing applicants, analyzing information, and explaining rights and responsibilities, and interpreting policies.

+ Maintains updated and accurate caseload based upon the volume of clients who request assistance. Verifies customer statements, completes evaluations and review sheets, sets up records and files, keeps applicants informed, advises of alternatives, and maintains electronic and hardcopy records.

+ Establishes plans for clients in establishing self-sufficiency goals for the purpose of transitioning public assistance recipients from welfare dependency by determining employability, explaining policies, procedures, and requirements, providing supportive services, and establishing solutions for participation barriers.

+ Works as a liaison between the city and hospital by working onsite with hospital staff to identify those citizens in need of applying for medical assistance.

+ Processes cases by verifying customer statements, completing evaluations and review sheets, setting up records and files, keeping applicants informed, advising of alternatives, and maintaining electronic and hardcopy records.

+ Keeps current by reviewing regulations and learning new ones.

+ Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations, exercises sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.

+ Serves as lead worker and assists supervisor by conducting program training for staff, reviewing case files and providing back-up supervision of staff, supports program supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, and workload balance.

+ May provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential.

+ Will be responsible for case monitoring of state and local benefit programs.

+ Responsible for contacting others within the organization.

+ Works with individuals outside the City who may belong to professional or peer organizations.

+ Working with various state and federal agencies may also be required. These contacts may involve similar work units or departments within the City which may be involved in decision making.

Education/Experience

Work requires education or training beyond high school graduation or equivalency which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.

Four years of experience in eligibility determination for government assistance programs.

Additional Information & Requirements

+ Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.

+ Possesses knowledge of basic human behavior with a working knowledge of practices of public service organizations.

+ Keeps current by reviewing regulations and learning new ones.

+ Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus.

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicants school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

+ Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

+ No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

03

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

04

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or higher

05

How many years of experience do you have in processing SNAP and Medicaid applications, paraprofessional, clerical, or similar capacity including substantial public contact, interviewing, information gathering, and the analysis of data?

+ No experience

+ Less than 2 years of experience

+ 2-3 years of experience

+ 4-5 years of experience

+ More than 6 years of experience

06

Please describe your experience in processing, interviewing, information gathering, and analyzing data to determine eligibility.

07

Do you have experience resolving customer complaints and issues?

+ Yes

+ No

08

Please describe the skills you possess that are utilized to resolve customer complaints and Issues. If no experience, please type "N/A".

09

Please provide the name, email address, and phone number of your current or most recent supervisor

10

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

12

A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

+ I have been convicted of a felony

+ I have been convicted of a misdemeanor

+ I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor

+ I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

13

If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.

14

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I am a Veteran

+ I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question

Agency

City of Norfolk

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