Senior Eligibility Worker III (Albemarle) ONLY current Albemarle Employees

**(Internal Candidates ONLY)

**(ONLY CURRENT ALBEMARLE COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES MAY APPLY)

Job Summary/ Objective:

Performs responsible, equitable, professional, and technical work involving management of a benefits 
program caseload, respecting the broader needs of individual clients and their families. Performs specialized 
duties of unusual difficulty in eligibility work in an inclusive team environment.; responsible for serving as lead 
worker and providing training, mentoring and guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists. Employees 
work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking 
supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. Performs as a role model to the values of the County and department, and inspires others to embrace the values, vision and goals of the 
County and department. Articulates, supports, and applies the high-performance practices (continual quality 
and service improvements, participatory involvement, teamwork, data collection and analysis) of the 
department. Influences others by example and by persuasion to commit to County, Department, and unit 
goals. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Essential Functions:

• Interviews applicants/recipients, adapting techniques to meet the needs/abilities of the client;
• Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods; processes applications for benefit programs such as, but not limited to SNAP, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Energy, General Relief, Auxiliary Grants, Refugee Cash and/or Medical Assistance; 
• Compiles and analyzes information and policy to determine and redetermine ongoing eligibility for 
  financial, medical and or other governmental programs; computes income and resource eligibility 
  timely, accurately and completely based on complex state and federal guidelines; ensures clients 
  receive maximum eligible benefits;
• Explains available benefit programs, rights and responsibilities, other agency services and community 
  resources identifies social problems and makes referrals to social workers as needed;
• Researches, interprets, and applies mandated programmatic policy and procedures based on state and federal guidelines in the administration of a benefits caseload which may be generic or specialized; 
• Ensures integrity in benefits delivery and caseload management by maintaining records according to established guidelines and identifies errors/potential fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy; 
• Responds to appeal requests, prepares appeal summaries and all supporting documentation, and 
  participates in appeal hearings;
• Attends and participates in unit and agency meetings by sharing knowledge, experiences, and 
  information; participates in agency workgroups and/or teams; attends and participates in ongoing 
  training, learning, and growth opportunities;
• Monitors case records for accurate computation and policy application.
• Serves as lead worker and assists supervisor by conducting program training for staff, reviewing case files and providing back-up supervision of staff.
• Coordinates workflow and case management activities of eligibility workers and DSS Specialists; serves as a resource to staff by answering questions related to policies and procedures, suggesting effective methods of case management, and providing consultation regarding complex cases.
• Provides Supervisor with information about unit's performance, and provides input into job 
  performance evaluations.
• Performs duties with less supervision and other related duties as assigned.
   

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities: 

• Thorough knowledge of interviewing and time management skills and principles and practices of 
  public social service organizations
• Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and of human behavior and social 
  functioning.
•  Knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical 
  problems; 
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
• Ability to analyze information and policy and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps;
• Ability to access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate,
• Ability to work effectively within and around teams.
• Skills in operating a computer and software