Self Sufficiency Specialist - Taunton, United States - Dept of Transitional Assistanc

Description

DTA attracts people passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

_ Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):_

• Provide case management to highrisk clients including teen parents, individuals with mental health and substance abuse concerns, physical and cognitive limitations, and those in homeless or domestic violence situations.
• Maintain working knowledge of locally available programs relative to the Employment Service Program and Young Parents Program.
• Coordinate with the Department of Children and Families to provide referrals to Teen Parenting Programs as needed.
• Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for transitional assistance programs and employment services.
• Conduct interactive interviews and obtain and verify client information.
• Calculate accurate benefit levels and issue appropriate benefit authorizations.
• Perform all tasks related case maintenance and case management, including referrals to other state agencies, health care providers and other sources as necessary.
• Prepare and deliver explanations of eligibility decisions.
• Evaluate and monitor highrisk client cases to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Deliver those services required to assist individuals and families in transitioning to work.

_Required Qualifications:
_

• Knowledge of the social and economic problems of the diverse client population and the related impact on employability and selfsufficiency.
• Knowledge of referral sources available for providing services to clients including available community support and social services resources.
• Knowledge of the principles and correct usage of the English language involved in writing narratives, including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word meaning and punctuation.
• High level personal computer skills and more indepth knowledge of various software options.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics, interviewing techniques, and the use of PCs.
• Ability to understand and explain laws, rules, policies and procedures relating to agency operations and eligibility for financial assistance.
• Ability to gather and assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to acquire information on local labor market conditions and the content of a wide variety of occupations.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in the use of the principles and methods of employment counseling and employment placement.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise and logical narratives and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to determine the applicability of client data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, including the exercise of discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to assess and prioritize tasks and demonstrate problem solving skills.

_Preferred Qualifications:
_

• Knowledge of career and educational counseling theories.
• Prior case management experience with highrisk clients.
• Proven ability to problem solve and motivate clients to achieve selfsufficiency while removing and resolving barriers to employment.
• Prior experience providing support to teen parents while assisting in their developmental needs.
• Commitment to working with diverse populations.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Agency Mission:

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth.

DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need.

The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency.

DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts - including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities.

Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.


Pre-Offer Process:

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at and select option #4.


Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE:

At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work or social casework, claims adjudication, job placement, recruitment, employment counseling, vocational or rehabilitation counseling, credit investigation, educational counseling, legal advocacy, or legal counseling.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for tw