Job Summary

$42,734 / year or higher DOQ + Full-Time County Benefits 

Self Sufficiency Specialists are responsible for determining possible eligibility for a variety of social services programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self-sufficiency. The Self-Sufficiency Specialist is also responsible for providing support and assistance to agency clients with personal, social, health, and economic needs; counsels clients, makes referrals, and serves as liaison between clients and ancillary agencies providing services.

There are three levels of Self-Sufficiency Specialist distinguished by the level of work performed and the qualifications of the employee.

Self Sufficiency Specialist I: $42,734 / year or higher DOQ
Self Sufficiency Specialist II: $45,704 / year or higher DOQ
Self Sufficiency Specialist III: $48,903 / year or higher DOQ

Responsibilities

• Explains the employment services program, client responsibilities, rights and program availability. Explains nature of temporary assistance programs and determines reasons and need for assistance.
• Assesses client needs, employability status and individual goals to develop employment plans. Includes assessment of client barriers to employment, recommendations to assist in overcoming such barriers, making referrals to internal programs and/or external community providers, and explores potential sources of income and support.
• Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals by evaluating such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning.
• Identifies and explains other allowable employment services activities to assist customers in meeting employment goals such as job search, job readiness workshops, Public Service Placements, FEP placements, and other educational opportunities.
• Serves as the department’s liaison to the local workforce board meetings and communication, attends regular community partner meetings and provides regular updates about initiatives and resources within the community.
• Prepares and monitors case reports/records in accordance with guidance and regulations.
• Conducts interviews for assistance, obtains necessary information, and determines the amount for allowances for special circumstance items.
• Manages assigned caseload by maintaining files, telephone contacts, referrals to private vendors for services, and prepares documents.
• Determines eligibility for assistance using automated systems and manual methods.
• Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience: High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Education and experience qualifications are determined by position level (see below). The Self-Sufficiency Specialist I is distinguished from Self- Sufficiency Specialist II by the latter’s performing all the assigned eligibility and employment service duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies. The Self-Sufficiency Specialist II is distinguished from the Self-Sufficiency Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act as a technical resource for others on social services’ eligibility and employment programs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.
• Knowledge of principles and processes related to customer service, including setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Basic mathematical skills related to calculating percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems.
• Skill in use of computer software, Microsoft Office Suite; State Department of Social Services computer systems; oral/written communication.
• All applicants are subject to a DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, CPS and Criminal History Search. Driving record must meet agency standard. The search may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification and references; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
• Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency

Position Level Requirements

Self-Sufficiency Specialist I
• No additional preparation required beyond minimum qualification listed above

Self-Sufficiency Specialist II
• Experience in employment services program to include demonstrated proficiency in use of applicable computer software.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to regulations regarding timeliness and accuracy standards of case management
• Demonstrated ability of performing all assigned employment services duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies

Self Sufficiency Specialist III
• Employed as a Self Sufficiency Specialist II for a minimum of 24 consecutive months.
• Extensive experience in a local department of social services, with considerable experience in VIEW program and/or knowledge of eligibility for benefit programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and childcare; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field and considerable experience in a local department of social services in employment services and/or benefit programs.
• Implement community outreach by communicating effectively with employers, courts, and medical professionals and establish connections in community to better assist clients in working toward self-sufficiency.
• Assist Supervisor in updating annual VIEW plan by making suggestions on planned expenditure of VIEW funding and of implementation of internal processes

Required for all career ladder levels II or higher: Satisfactory completion of introductory (initial or promotional) period; “meets” or higher on last performance evaluation; not received a written reprimand or higher-level disciplinary action within the past 12 months; funding of career ladders in budget must have been approved by Board of Supervisors; and certification from Department Director of completion of requirements

Click here ​for full job description. Accepting applications until position is filled. Cover letters and resumes may also be attached, but a fully completed application is required for your application to be considered.