Economic Support Specialist

Application Deadline: 2023-02-07
Job Type: County
Job Description:

Job Summary
Brown County Health and Human Services offers exciting challenges, personal growth opportunities and a chance to make a difference, all while preserving a strong work-life balance. As an employee, you will have the opportunity to serve individuals and families within your own community. Come and see all that Brown County has to offer!

Our Economic Support Unit is looking for self-motivated, organized and detail-oriented individuals to join our team now!

An Economic Support Specialist determines eligibility for all Economic Support programs including Medicaid, Badgercare Plus, FoodShare, Child Care assistance and the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. Interviews consumers, collects data, and computes budgets; records and documents information; accesses, prepares and inputs all data into the statewide computer processing system.

Telework may be considered upon successful completion of training and contingent upon being within 80 miles of the permanent worksite/building.

This position is considered full-time and works 37.5 hours per week.

To help candidates better understand the role of an Economic Support Specialist, a workgroup of Economic Support managers from around the State of Wisconsin worked with Mid-State Technical College to produce this short video. Take a look to see if the role of an Economic Support Specialist might be right for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1vssKBXesw
Essential Duties
Conducts interviews with clients to obtain financial and non-financial information necessary to determine eligibility, clarifies discrepancies; and analyzes the needs of the client in order to make necessary referrals to other programs.

Secures, analyzes, interprets, and determines validity of client statements and documentation such as legal documents, income tax forms, real estate contracts, evidence of immigration status, trust documents, and financial, medical and employment records; and identifies and investigates questionable information.

Determines initial and continued eligibility and benefits level within specific time limits through reviewing and monitoring the income and assets of clients, analyzing and applying complex program rules, reconciling benefit levels and ensuring that timely written notification is sent citing appropriate regulations or statutes for granting or denying benefits.

Prepares and monitors clients’ monthly budget computations using complex mathematical formulas, analysis of automated reports and detailed bookkeeping procedures.

Utilizes multiple complex computer programs and databases to record, research, investigate and verify information; to assist in computing benefit levels; and to record and monitor case activity. Examples include CARES, CWW, KIDS, Forward Health Portal, WHEAP, and SAVE.

Establishes and maintains electronic and paper case files to ensure that assistance history, verification, documentation and correspondence accurately reflect benefit issuances and error corrections.

Answers questions from and provides information and explanations to clients, department staff, and other agencies regarding financial assistance and rights and responsibilities; assists clients in completing forms; and endeavors to adjust complaints.

Researches and prepares written summary and appears as the agency representative at administrative hearings related to the denial, termination, or reduction of economic assistance to a client.

Analyzes applications and re-certifications identified as error prone; refers appropriate cases for investigation.

Develops and maintains effective working and public relations with County employees, community representatives, contract staff, clients, families and the public.

Performs other duties as required, including special projects.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Performs related functions as assigned.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

General office equipment
Computer

Minimum Qualifications Required
Education and Experience:

Two years of post-secondary education in a business or human services related field, plus two years of professional experience in dealing with the public, and experience using a computer; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

Licenses and Certifications:

None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Considerable knowledge of federal, state and county compliance standards, regulations, and eligibility factors of need determination for complex financial assistance.
Considerable knowledge of the socio-economic factors in the community and ability to relate sensitively to diverse populations.
Ability to interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures regarding economic assistance programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, community agencies, county staff, governmental agencies, contract staff, medical or day-care vendors and the general public.
Ability to utilize investigative interviewing to obtain necessary information from clients, verification sources and other agencies to maintain detailed records.
Ability to perform complex mathematical computations and interpret financial and other complex documents.
Ability to effectively communicate complex information to a diverse group of clients both orally and in writing.
Ability to analyze, prepare and maintain detailed, accurate information, records, reports, and other documents.
Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in organizing and prioritizing work within program time limits.
Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness in a high volume environment.
Ability to understand, implement and utilize state of the art computer technologies and programs.
Ability to gather facts and report them accurately.
Ability to assimilate and respond constructively to constant change.
Ability to maintain calm and professional demeanor in high stress and provocative circumstances.
Ability to work the required hours of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Lifting 30 pounds maximum with occasional lifting and/or carrying of object weighing up to 20 pounds.

Frequent sitting; occasional bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.

Using hand(s)/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling and operating controls.

Communicating orally in a clear manner.

Distinguishing sounds at various frequencies and volumes.

Distinguishing people or objects at varied distances under a variety of light conditions.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/browncounty

Deadline Note: