Requisition No: 233901
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY SPECIALIST I - 60034908
Position Number: 60034908
Salary:  1,020.79 bi-weekly
Posting Closing Date: 09/18/2020
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, child care providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.
Within DCF, the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and
families on the road to economic recovery.
SUNCOAST REGION ESS PROGRAM
ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY SPECIALIST I (ESSS I)
POSITIONS LOCATED IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA
COMPENSATION PLAN
Salary: $1020.79 Bi-Weekly
OCCUPATIONAL PROFILES
Community and Social Work
Families in need and in crisis require time sensitive actions from strong, compassionate individuals who are dedicated to assisting the vulnerable and promoting strong self-sufficient families. This demanding and
challenging career could be your opportunity to help those in need make a better life for themselves and their families. We are looking for people who are organized, can multi-task, possess good keyboard skills, can learn complex rules and apply them to casework, and are able to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. Every minute and every case processed counts for those who are hungry, caring for others, in need of assistance to provide shelter for loved ones, or just need a helping hand, and your career choice could make a critical difference. This position does not require face to face contact with clients. It mostly consists of computer work with rapid changes and stringent time standards. However, it makes a tremendous and often unseen impact on countless lives. If you are interested in making a difference, please join our TEAM!
This is an open competitive Career Service position. Career Service employees receive a generous benefit package which includes financial, health and work/life benefits. For more information regarding the various benefit options available to each employee category, visit the myBenefits Web page.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be hired for this position.
• Required: Associate degree from an accredited college or university, OR 60 semester or 90 quarter hours.
• These skills can be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education: Work experience interviewing, recruiting, investigating, processing claims, billing or collections, checking credit, processing
insurance policies, determining eligibility or providing customer service are valued skills for consideration in hiring for this position.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION :
• State of Florida Employment Applications should be up to date and complete in order to receive full consideration. (EXPLAIN GAPS IN EMPLOYMENT AND PROVIDE ALL FORMER EMPLOYERS'
CONTACT INFORMATION).
• Prior to interview, eligible applicants may be contacted to schedule a pre-interview assessment or work sample. A passing score must be obtained to qualify for an interview.
• Ability to speak/read/write Spanish/Creole/French or other foreign language may be considered in the selection process as determined by need.
• Hired applicants spend approximately 6 to 8 weeks in paid classroom training (training may be delivered as virtual computer training, i.e. distance learning). A passing score must be achieved on each Eligibility Exam administered in order to continue employment.
• Upon satisfactory completion of training and/or probationary status, candidates may be allowed to telecommute (work from home).
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The primary function of an Economic Self-Sufficiency Specialist I involves determining the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs. The work performed includes processing data from
electronic sources and entering information into a computer-based eligibility system under very time sensitive agency and legal requirements. Eligibility workers are expected to handle a high volume of work which is deadline driven. Workers must be able to prioritize, plan and project their work, while at the same time remaining flexible to frequent changes in the program policy and/or computer-based systems.
Typical duties include:
• Interviewing applicants to obtain and verify information needed to determine eligibility for Food Assistance,
Medicaid, and Cash Assistance.
• Learning numerous state and federal program regulations, through intensive training prior to full case assignment and then ongoing training thereafter. This work is driven by ongoing reliance on regulations.
• Instructing clients in completion of various forms, and reviewing the applications and forms submitted for completeness and consistency.
• Determining program eligibility in accordance with current regulations using the computer-based eligibility system.
• Researching information provided by an applicant until satisfactory explanations regarding eligibility status is confirmed.
• Reporting cases where identity theft or fraud is suspected.
• Advising clients of deadlines, time frames, and necessary actions to be taken.
• Working with clients who may not take the necessary actions within the required time frame.
• Establishing and maintaining multiple electronic files, and conducting regular reviews and updates.
Documenting all communications and contacts with clients.
• Planning and organizing a large computer caseload, ensuring that accuracy levels are maintained and cases are processed within the specified time frames set by federal and state regulations.
• Computing and authorizing grant amounts based on financial and family status. Reviewing and explaining public assistance amounts to clients and authorizing payment of monthly benefits.
• Keeping up to date on changes in rules, laws, procedures, etc. that affect processing timeliness.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Apply the policies, procedures, and programs governing the agency.
• Apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
• Communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
• Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
• Enter data accurately into a computerized system.
• Navigate through computer screens, complete and review basic computer documents and other forms.
• Plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Read, understand, apply complicated and detailed regulations, and policy directives.
• Perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
• Prepare, clear, concise and accurate records and reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Use computers and related software packages.
• Follow written and oral directions and instructions.
In addition to career-specific skills, the following basic skills are required:
• Problem-solving & decision-making
• A positive attitude
• Independence & initiative
• A strong work ethic
• Computer literacy
• Self-presentation
COMPETENCIES:
Learning Actively pursues learning and development opportunities. Uses effective and efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills. Works with new
material or information to grasp its implications.
Active Listening Receives and interprets verbal messages and other cues such as tone or body language in ways that are appropriate to situations. Listens to what other people are saying and
asks questions as appropriate.
Oral Communication
Expresses information verbally to others; ability to effectively convey ideas and thoughts; ability to understand your audience while conveying information.
Reading Comprehension
Understands written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Written Communication
Uses correct English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Is able to write clearly and succinctly in a
variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect.
Detail-Oriented
Thorough in work assignments and conscientious about making sure of correctness. Self-Management Performs work autonomously; sets high performance standards and well-defined, realistic
personal goals. Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards performing work. Establishes priorities and successfully multi-tasks.
Assertiveness
Handles day-to-day work challenges with confidence; steps forward to address difficult issues.
Stress Management
Maintains composure and performs effectively under stressful conditions. Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Compassion and Sensitivity
Understands the suffering of others and wants to do something about it. Always treats others with respect.
Service Orientation
Actively uses needs assessment techniques and looks for ways to help others by providing good customer and personal services.
Flexibility
Adjusts actions in relation to others' actions and the needs of the business.
Team Player
Quickly finds common ground and solves problems for the good of all; represents his/her own interests and yet exhibits fairness to other groups; solves problems with peers with a minimum of noise; is seen as cooperative.
DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES
US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.
BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENING Candidates applying to positions in the Economic Self-Sufficiency Program may have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former public assistance case information before completing the hiring process. For Career Service advertisements only VETERAN’S PREFERENCE Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here .  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.