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

    City of Norfolk, VA
    City of Norfolk, VA Norfolk, United States

    1 month ago

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    Description
    Benefit Programs Specialist I
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    Benefit Programs Specialist I
    Salary
    $40, $65,790.00 Annually
    Location
    Norfolk, VA
    Job Type
    Permanent Full-time
    Job Number
    12006
    Department
    Human Services
    Division
    Division of Social Services
    Opening Date
    05/01/2024
    Closing Date

    5/11/2024 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 I who will be responsible for interviewing and processing applications, renewals, Interim Reports and changes or Intake and Ongoing Units.

    Interviews are conducted via telephone or face to face.

    The Benefit Programs Specialist is responsible for communicates with outside agencies (schools, employers, DCSE, and other DHS) to obtain required information to help determine the customer's eligibility for services.

    The Benefit Programs Specialist I under limited supervision, reviews and evaluates information gathered from applicants and uses independent judgment to determine eligibility for public assistance programs and services.

    Interprets rules and regulations associated with assistance programs and verifies related information.
    The Benefit Programs Specialist I is also 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.

    Departmental Hiring Salary Range:
    $40,362- $46,416
    Essential Functions

    Essential functions include but are not limited to:

    • Determines initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs and services by interviewing applicants, analyzing information, and explaining rights and responsibilities, and interpreting policies.
    • 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.
    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.

    Two years of experience in a paraprofessional, clerical, or similar capacity including substantial public contact, interviewing, information gathering, and the analysis of data or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

    Additional Information & Requirements

    • Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.
    • 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 applicant's 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
    • Vocational/Technical Degree
    • 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 years of experience
    • 3 years of experience
    • More than 4 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
    Do you have a valid driver's license?

    • Yes
    • No
    10
    Please provide the name, email address, and phone number of your current or most recent supervisor
    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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