JOB INFORMATION

The Frederick County Senior Services Division has been providing services and programs to older adults and their families for over 40 years. Our mission is to enrich the lives of older adults through community connections to services, programs and resources, with a goal of ensuring that Frederick County residents are empowered, engaged and equipped to live their best life. The Division seeks creative, energetic, compassionate and visionary candidates to join our diverse team of professionals who care about the well-being of Frederick County seniors. Join our team to help further our mission and make a difference in the lives of Frederick County’s fastest growing population.

POSITION DETAILS:
Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits; grant funded

This position provides administrative and technical support for the Senior Services Division, providing limited case management and comprehensive information and assistance about programs and services for County residents age 60 years+ and/or persons age 18+ who have a disability. Supervision is received from the Director of Resource and Service Navigation.

Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 
  11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen clients for government benefit programs for which they may be eligible and help them complete applications.
• Assist with administration of the Maryland Access Point, State Health Insurance Program, Senior Medicare Patrol Program and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.
• Provide comprehensive information/assistance to seniors, family members, veterans, and others by phone, in person, home visits, and workshops.
• Distribute updated resource information as appropriate; assure that all inquiries receive comprehensive, timely and accurate replies
• Assist with determining a person's eligibility for long term care (i.e. conduct Level 1 screen)
• Interview clients in person, virtually, in their homes or on the telephone to assess their needs and concerns; provide comprehensive assistance in accessing services
• Assist with Medicare Part-D related issues
• Assist in annual Medicare Part D enrollment appointments
• Input data into various software systems
• Compile and maintain a comprehensive listing of programs, services, resources and other information related to the needs and interests of persons over 60 years of age
• Distribute resource information and assure that all inquiries receive comprehensive and accurate reply
• Educate the public, community leaders and other interested parties about resources available to the public; offer referrals to other agencies for assistance
• Participate in random moment time studies.
• Collaborate with other division programs to meet needs of target population
• Maintain close working relationships with other local, state, federal agencies and various non-profit organizations
• Participate in program monitoring visits by State, Federal and local authorities
• Help prepare articles for publication in newsletters and the newspapers
• Maintain accurate records of participant contacts and follow-up to determine if services were received and satisfactory/sufficient
• Compile and prepare reports and statistics to meet Federal, State and County reporting requirements
• Identify possible funding sources and provide support to grant writing process
• Perform other related duties as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  Associate's degree in Health, Human Services, Gerontology, or a closely related field
• Minimum 3 years work experience in the management of a human services related program
• Minimum 2 years work experience in providing educational services to adults
• Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite
• Current AIRS certification or the ability to become so certified within 1 year of hire date

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to obtain a Frederick County Employee Driving Permit
• Ability to effectively implement and operate a human services program
• Working knowledge of senior-related programs and services
• Ability to effectively compile, prepare and administer a budget
• Ability to effectively utilize and administer the grant application process
• Considerable knowledge of social services and social programs available in Frederick County, especially those available to older adults and those with a disability
• Strong math and record-keeping skills, including the ability to accurately compile and review fiscal and statistical information and create clear, concise reports
• Ability to creatively solve problems and assist people with a variety of concerns on a daily basis
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations
• Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment including MS Excel and Power Point
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public, with special sensitivity to the needs and priorities of older individuals
• Discretion and good judgment in dealing with confidential and sensitive information

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Additional related education and/or experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is constantly sitting and walking; and is frequently driving
• While working in this position, the employee is constantly working indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation for meetings, home visits, training sessions etc.
• Available for varied working hours as needed to accommodate meetings and other commitments
• May be scheduled to work during an emergency to support County operations

EXAMINATION MAY INCLUDE:

• An evaluation of training and qualifications
• One or more interviews
• Evaluation of a writing sample
• A pre-employment drug test and physical examination
• A pre-employment criminal history review of public records

This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.