Self-Sufficiency Specialist II represents the full performance level in the occupational group for Self-Sufficiency Specialists responsible for determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs and assessing employability of clients to aid in their effort to achieve self sufficiency. Employee are dedicated wholly to Employment Services or to a combination of Benefits and Employment Services. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility and employment. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only.

Explains the employment services program;Handles intake for both the eligibility and services programs;Assesses customer needs and develops employment/child care plans;Develops/Conducts Job Search and Job Readiness workshops;Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals;Monitors case reports/records in accordance with regulations;Explains the child care program and makes assessments of customer needs;Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information;
Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion;
Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods;Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income;Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation;
Prepares reports and maintains client records;Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals;Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers; and gives applicants or recipients information about other agencies where they may go for services they seek and are able to utilize without explanation or supportive services.

Minimum Qualifications

Working knowledge of: practices of public social service organizations; employment services; State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies to make eligibility and employ-ability decisions; economic and human behavior; financial assistance programs; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; individually and in group settings with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, work-site placements, courts and medical professionals in person and on the phone; interview, gather information, evaluate each client’s situation, develop plans and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; make eligibility and employ-ability decisions; independently identify customer’s employment needs, identify and address barriers to employment, and develop employment plans; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, interpret and manipulate data; generate reports, maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing local conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

High School Diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit and Employment Services Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. This investigation 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.

Special Instructions to Applicants