Economic Support Specialist

Job Summary

 

The Economic Support Specialist is responsible for providing information, assistance, and program eligibility determinations for various economic support programs; and to provide case management services to recipients, including the coordination of necessary services.

 

Primary Responsibilities

 

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provides information and assistance to the public/participants regarding various economic support programs.
• Conducts prescreening interviews of potential applicants to review various alternatives to financial/economic support assistance programs.
• Interviews and determines eligibility for various economic support programs assigned.
• Reviews eligibility information and materials, re-computes benefits, refers suspected fraud cases, testifies at administrative hearings and/or court.
• Refers applicants to outside agencies to coordinate services for "at risk" households.
• Provides case management services to coordinate needed services provided to participants.
• Makes referrals to and maintains contact with other agencies, organizations or providers.  Coordinates services with a variety of providers.
• Maintains complete and accurate case records.   Performs general office duties, as needed.
• Attends various staff training or other meetings, as required.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level/type, as required.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Human Service Administration, or other related field.
• Requires a minimum of two (2) years previous related experience.

 
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

 
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Economic Support Specialist position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for Economic Support Specialist to possess.

• Fundamentals knowledge of human behavior.
• Understanding of functions and general nature/types of economic support services provided by County.
• Knowledge concerning the operation and use of computer equipment and applications and software utilized by the section.
• Fundamental knowledge of office procedures, functions, case management and record keeping operations.
• Knowledge of customer/office etiquette in dealing appropriately with the public.

• Learning and assessing general client issues and making necessary referrals to others inside or outside of the department, as warranted.
• Prioritizing and organizing a variety of responsibilities.
• Performing basic business mathematics.
• Learning, using and operating general business productivity software/applications utilized by the department.
• Ability to learn to apply regulations and guidelines of various public assistance and economic assistance programs consistently and appropriately across all clientele.
• Learning interview and data gathering client information techniques in a variety of areas including financial, employment, social, cultural and emotional.
• Learning and performing various case management, documentation, and service coordination requirements.
• Operating, using, inputting and maintaining case management records, procedures and software.
• Following written and oral instruction and completing tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to learn and prepare narrative reports, case files, forms and materials required by the department.
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with departmental staff, supervisors and public.

• Applying department policies and procedures pertaining to confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidentiality.

• Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments.

• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

 
MINIMUM LANGUAGE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS 
In order to perform the duties of the Economic Support Specialist position (listed above) the following language skills are essential for the Economic Support Specialist to possess. 

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and the general public in written and verbal form. 

• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

 
MINIMUM REASONING ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Economic Support Specialist position (listed above) the following reasoning abilities are essential for the Economic Support Specialist to possess.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

 
MINIMUM MATHEMATICAL ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Economic Support Specialist position (listed above) the following mathematical skills are essential for the Economic Support Specialist to possess.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

 
In evaluating candidates for this position, Dunn County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

 

 

Physical and Work Environment

 

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require regular, but not continuous, exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous speaking, hearing and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting; and work occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal.

 
WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While much of this role may be performed remotely at the discretion of the manager and subject to organizational needs, this position is designated as Wisconsin-based and requires the employee to maintain residency within the State of Wisconsin due to applicable employment laws.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, moderate traffic).

 
Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.