Income Maintenance Caseworker II

General Statement of Duties Performs intermediate advanced human support work involving determining the eligibility of applicants/recipients to receive assistance under social service income maintenance programs, collaborating with community service providers to meet the needs of clients, preparing and maintaining files and records, and preparing reports. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class assists clients who are in need of public assistance programs and services such as transportation, Work First, and Food Nutrition, etc. Work involves receiving and processing applications for public assistance in accordance with established rules, regulations, and procedures including interviewing applicants for assistance to determine eligibility, making referrals, coordinating with outside community agencies for the provision of assistance and services, and interpreting policies and procedures. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Income Maintenance Supervisor II and is evaluated by a review of records, reports, discussions, client feedback, and by observation. Duties and Responsibilities Essential Duties and Tasks • Receives and processes applications for public assistance in accordance with established rules, regulations, and procedures; explains program requirements, policies, and procedures to applicants; assists clients with completing program application forms. • Interviews applicants for assistance to determine their eligibility; researches and verifies information provided by applicants. • Makes referrals to other community services or agency services. • Prepares reports and other types of correspondence; maintains case logs; prepares and maintains files and records; enters a variety of data into a variety of computer systems. • Provides technical expertise to medical personnel and social work staff on issues impacting client eligibility. • Determines and implements the most economical means to access the appropriate services needed. • Maintains a client caseload and responds to identified changes in client cases. • Arranges transportation services and on-going case management services. • Monitors programs and notifies supervisor of any issues. Additional Job Duties • Performs related duties as required. Recruitment and Selection Guidelines Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Thorough knowledge of County and department policies and procedures. • Thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the processing and/or review of applications for income maintenance programs. • Thorough knowledge in operating standard office equipment and associated software (e.g. NC FAST, NC TRACKS, EBT Edge, etc.). • Thorough knowledge in preparing reports and other types of correspondence. • Ability to perform, organize, and prioritize work independently. • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. • Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions. • Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. • Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages. • Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records. • Ability to manage and engage clients with chronic and persistent behavioral health conditions. • Ability to manage and engage with clients with serious medical conditions. • Ability to work with agitated clients, heavy workloads, and compressed time frames. • Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with clients, associates, physicians, vendors, government officials, and the general public. Physical Requirements • Work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. • Work regularly requires sitting, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel and repetitive motions, occasionally requires standing, reaching with hands and arms, and pushing or pulling. • Work has standard vision requirements. • Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. • Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities. • Work has no exposure to environmental conditions. • Work requires interacting with clients who have mental health issues. • Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Desirable Education and Experience Graduation from High School and one year of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience. Associates degree in Human Services, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, or a closely related curriculum is preferred and may be substituted for one year of experience.