HUMAN SERVICE SPECIALIST III

This recruitment is for two part-time contractual vacancies for the Title IV-E Determination Unit.

14

Wicomico County Department of Social Services 

201 Baptist Street

Salisbury MD 21802

Wicomico County Department of Social Services is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, over the Bay Bridge, approximately 115 miles southeast of the Baltimore –Washington area.

This position performs Foster Care case reviews to determine client eligibility for Title IV-E Federal Funding within the Department of Human Resources, Social Services Administration (SSA). This position will be located at various Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS's) on the eastern shore of the State of Maryland. The incumbent in this position functions as a Federal Funding Analysts to ensure compliance with Federal laws, rules and regulations for the delivery of services; reviews out-of-home Foster Care placements to ensure that a positive eligibility determination is made for children who are eligible to receive Title IV-E funding; completes retroactive and prospective Federal claim adjustments; works independently to determine eligibility based on State and Federal regulations and policies; and decides appropriate funding adjustments to the State's accounting records. This is a highly proficient level position, which requires the ability to work independently and have a thorough knowledge of State and Federal regulations to ensure that maximum allowable Federal fund reimbursement is received for the delivery of child welfare service.

Completes initial eligibility determinations for children entering out-of-home care; utilizes several databases such as: Maryland Children Electronic Social Service Information Exchange (MD CHESSIE), Maryland Automated Benefits System (MABS), State Verification Exchange System (SVES), and Client Automated Resource and Eligibility System (CARES) to obtain and verify information necessary to meet Federal eligibility requirements; assesses information and supporting documentations to determine if Federal eligibility requirements are met; completes IV-E Redetermination of cases remaining in care for 12 months or longer to ensure that a positive eligibility determination is made for children who are eligible to receive Federal funding under the Title IV-E program; completes IV-E Redetermination for voluntary placement cases to ensure unique Federal requirements for continued eligibility; completes Applicable Child Assessments, Adoption Subsidy Eligibility Determinations and Guardianship Assistance Eligibility Determinations; updates accurate data into the MD CHESSIE database; maintains supporting documentation for determinations that meet Federal standards; collects, compiles, and researches data necessary to make an accurate determination of all completed cases as well as necessary data, such as: computer clearances (CIS-General Demographics, MABS-Parental earned income/wages, child support information, SVES-SSI/SSA unearned income information for the entire household), court orders, and other pertinent legal documents that assist in making accurate eligibility determinations; applies knowledge of Federal and State policies and procedures to accurately determine eligibility for other Federal funding, i.e., Title II (SSA) benefits, Title XVI (SSI) benefits, Title XX (Medical Assistance), and Adoption Subsidy funds; and analyzes documentation for initial representative payee changes for LDSS's, thus ensuring that children receive appropriate funding.

Completes Retroactive and Prospective Federal Claim Adjustments; reviews case files and other pertinent documentations; formulates and prepares a decision regarding whether funds should be requested retroactively if a child is eligible and in a reimbursable placement; participates in the preparation for Federal reviews and audits of the Title IV-E program at the State and local level; provides documentation, information, and technical assistance to reviewers and auditors; provides documentation for errors, corrections, or program improvements resulting from audits and reviews; prepares monthly productivity reports detailing determinations completed; prepares statistical/data reports that are used to support the Agency's claims for Federal Funds; consults weekly with the Regional Supervisor to review productivity, data, statistics or LDSS trends/issues/concerns regarding Title IV-E; attends statewide Title IV-E meetings and forums; consults/Interacts with caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, Title IV-E liaison, and other agency representatives in order to ensure that required documentations are retrieved and the established procedures are adhered to.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.

Notes:

1. Additional professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Education at the graduate level at an accredited college or university in a human services related field may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester hours per year for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or Administrative Officer specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical, and Officer Services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

1.  Experience with Personal Computer, Network Systems, Printers, Software Applications such as: Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Google email, Internet, Client Information System (CIS), Foster Care and Adoption Tracking System (FACTS), Maryland Children’s Electronic Social Services Information Exchange (MD CHESSIE), Client Automated Resources and Eligibility System (CARES), State Verification Exchange System (SVES), Maryland Automated Benefit System (MABS), Fax Machines, Photocopy Machines, Calculators, Telephone, etc.

2.  Strong written and oral communication skills.

3.  Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.

4.  Flexibility in a busy environment.

5.  Strong time management, priority setting and problem-solving skills.

NOT APPLICABLE.

The assessment will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position.  Therefore it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. 

You must possess the minimum qualifications to be considered for this position.  Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment and clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application.  Credit may be given for relevant part-time, temporary, or volunteer experience.  If you list the number of hours worked per week.  For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service.

Contractual employees who works for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact the Department of Human Resources at 410-767-7414.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated.  This office, with your approval, will verify your prior applicable work experience.  In order to receive full consideration for time worked, please complete dates of employment in its entirety and identify number of hours worked for each entry.

College transcripts are not required for review of your application and do not need to be forwarded.  Please clearly indicate your college degree and majors on your application.  If selected for an interview, you will be required to bring an official transcript with you.  For all foreign education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service if selected for an interview.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred; however, the paper application may be submitted to: DHR/Employment Services Division, attn: Jocelyn Maschal, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore MD  21201.  The paper application must be received by 5 p.m. close of business on the closing date of the recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted.  The previous Maryland State application (MS-100) will not be accepted.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.