Eligibility Services Specialist

In the Department of Social Services and the Department of Children and Families, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist in the provision of eligibility services to clients of the department's various assistance programs and may provide a broad range of client services and economic support aimed at maintaining or achieving a client's full potential for self-direction, self reliance and independent living.

Plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; provides staff training and assistance including monitoring and assessing current and projected needs; provides technical and procedural support to staff; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with operating units, agencies and outside officials such as third party providers, social services agencies and attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures; makes recommendations on policies or standards; prepares reports and correspondence; acts as liaison with Eligibility Services Supervisor concerning unit training needs, practical program implementation problems and effectiveness of unit workflow procedures; acts as unit policy specialist in difficult, unusual and/or complex case resolution; facilitates the resolution of systems and data problems; provides eligibility services and/or vocational services to clients assigned to individual caseload; conducts in-depth interviews with applicants experiencing difficulty in meeting program eligibility requirements; evaluates clients' financial needs and stabilizes economic situation by providing necessary assistance and services; periodically reviews eligibility to ensure correct benefits level; may be responsible for agency components of client Independence Plans; conducts comprehensive social services assessment to identify potential barriers to employability; provides necessary eligibility, employment and supportive services to reduce barriers and promote self sufficiency; may provide client orientation to agency programs and support services; monitors client progress with employability plan and takes appropriate actions including conciliation and/or sanctioning; may make presentations within agency and/or community; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of available community support and social services resources; considerable knowledge of common individual and/or family financial practices and investments; considerable knowledge of Eligibility Management System; knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques; knowledge of employment problems of economically disadvantaged and issues which are barriers to employment; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; interviewing skills; problem solving skills; training ability; ability to maintain client records and prepare reports; some supervisory ability.

Six (6) years of experience in the determination of client eligibility for public assistance.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Eligibility Services Worker.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.