Eligibility Specialist-Family, Department of Human Services

Alamosa County Department of Human Services

REPORTS TO: Program Manager - TANF
UNIT: Family
FLSA STATUS: Non - Exempt
SALARY: $37,050.00/year
DATE ADOPTED:  May 12, 2023

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for completing intake and assessment for the determination eligibility for public assistance.  Eligibility determination is for a limited caseload of one or more categories of assistance including Colorado Works/TANF, Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Food Assistance/SNAP.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and responsibilities of the job.  The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.)

• Gathers, assembles and reviews information provided by applicants and recipients regarding financial and non-financial criteria relevant to the initial and continuing eligibility for Colorado Works, Health First Colorado (Medicaid), and Food Assistance/SNAP. Verifies information provided by applicants by direct contact, collateral contacts, phone contacts, and/or home visits.
• Informs the applicant/recipient of the relevant requirements and benefits for programs which they may be eligible. Clarifies and interprets to the clients his/her appeal rights and procedures in response to notices generated by the computer. Assists and guides the applicants in completing forms, securing documents and other verifications needed in completing their application. Makes inquiry of applicants to any specific answers they give which are unclear or ambiguous. On ongoing basis, informs recipients of changes in the law or regulations which affect their continuing eligibility and/or the amount of their grant.
• Approves/denies applications for assistance benefits. Informs applicants within the appropriate time frame and in terms they can understand the approval or denial of their application.
• Completes intake assessments for Colorado Works/TANF to identify barriers that prevent clients from being self-sufficient.  Develops a Road Map with the client for achieving self- sufficiency goals.  Follows up and monitors the completion of the steps outlined in the individual responsibility contract and modify the plan as needed.
• Takes appropriate actions when a client is not cooperating with program eligibility requirements. Takes appropriate action upon successful completion of steps agreed upon in the Road Map or takes appropriate action for noncompliance.
• Follows up on referrals to assure that the participant is receiving services, determines progress and level of satisfaction with services provided.
• A working knowledge of a broad range of community services, vendors, including education, training and employment services available to participants.  Contacts employers to develop potential on the job training or job placements for participants.
• Interfaces on a daily basis with existing computer systems requiring accurate and complete data entry.
• Interprets and evaluates computer generated data to determine accuracy of individual cases and delivery of accurate benefits.
• Ability to work schedule as set by supervisor.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures of the State and County DHS.
• Ability to work well in a team or work independently as required.
• Ability to communicate (verbally & in writing) in English.
• Ability to meet the physical requirement listed below.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of interviewing clients to obtain necessary information
• Know resources to assist clients
• Knowledge of legal documents and legal processes
• Knowledge of applicable privacy laws and statutes
• Be proficient with Microsoft Office

Skills:

• Computer skills adequate to perform job tasks
• Learn and operate software specific to DHS programs
• Skill to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Skill to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Negotiation skills to facilitate an agreement

Abilities:

• Ability to prepare documentation for administrative hearings
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely,  both orally and in writing
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to draft routine reports and maintain required documentation
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to monitor for compliance with court orders
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form.
• Ability to conduct research, to verify information and reconcile financial data.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); four years related experience and/or training in general office, customer service, including two years in public financial assistance and/or as an Income Technician/Case Manager; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to pass the Colorado Benefit Management System (CBMS) test through the State SDC training for all Programs as follows:  Health First Colorado (Medicaid), Adult Financial, and Food Assistance. 
• Must also successfully pass the Food Assistance CAPER testing.  This is required to gain system access.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands 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. Minimal physical effort generally required in the performance of duties under typically office conditions. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard at an efficient speed. This may involve repetitive hand movement and fine coordination.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The position is required to stand, sit for long periods of time, talk and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across an audience.  Occasionally, the position may stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, carry, twist and push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight.  The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, and lift up to 25 pounds. The noise level may be very quiet to noisy depending on the situation.   This position may be required to drive in a variety of weather conditions both locally and throughout the state. 

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 The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), age (over 40), national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing, family status or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. 

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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