FAMILY INVESTMENT SPECIALIST I (STATEWIDE)

Introduction

\r\n�\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.\r\n\r\n�\r\nWe aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis recruitment has been reopened to allow for additional application submissions.� If you have already applied and been approved for this recruitment (25-000683-0001), please do not reapply; your application remains under consideration.��\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

GRADE

ASTD10\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

STATEWIDE\r\n\r\n\r\nThis Statewide recruitment has been opened to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State.�\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease indicate the counties in which you are willing to accept employment on your application.\r\n\r\n\r\nCurrent Vacancy:\r\n\r\n\r\nGarrett County Department of Social Services,�12578 Garrett Highway,�Oakland, MD 21550\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

A Family Investment Specialist I is the entry level of work providing direct services to individual customers or families by determining customer eligibility for multiple Family Investment Administration programs in a local Department of Social Services.� Employees in this classification interview customers to explain program requirements and options, to collect and complete required documentation, to refer customers to other program services or agencies as appropriate and to monitor customer progress and use of assistance.� Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.\r\n\r\n\r\nEmployees in this classification receive close supervision from a Family Investment Specialist Supervisor or other higher-level administrator.� Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and may be required to visit customers in their homes or at facilities such as nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.\r\n

POSITION DUTIES

Learns to interview applicants for Public Assistance, Medical Assistance and/or Food Stamps in the Family Investment Administration (FIA) of the Maryland Department of Human Services in order to determine customer eligibility and need for FIA programs;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to explain program requirements and procedures to individual customers or in a group setting;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to elicit information as to family composition, employment, health status, financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to calculate incomes and resources to establish benefit level;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to determine program eligibility in accordance with federal, State and local laws, policies, rules and regulations;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to check public records, such as birth records and real estate transactions;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to contact individuals, employers, landlords, attorneys, financial institutions, medical offices, and government and community agencies to obtain, verify or clarify information required for eligibility determinations, such as income, resources, residency and household composition;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to establish and maintain case records using computerized database systems;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to contact customers regarding discrepancies and refer questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to monitor case progress and apply appropriate sanctions when necessary;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to provide information on and make referrals to service agencies, organizations and vendors for appropriate services and information to meet customer health, housing, food, employment assistance, child care and transportation needs;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to serve as a customer advocate;\r\n\r\n\r\nLearns to provide basic counseling and problem solving support;\r\n\r\n\r\nMay learn to make visits to customers’ homes to gather information;\r\n\r\n\r\nMay learn to prepare appeal packages or testify in administrative appeals hearings;\r\n\r\n\r\nPerforms other related duties.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.\r\nEducation:�� Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.\r\nExperience: Six months of public contact experience involving negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling data, performing analysis of data, writing correspondence, and completing mathematical or legal tasks.\r\n�������������������������������������������������������� � OR\r\nSix months of general office, retail, food service, construction trades, or similar experience including data entry, record filing and maintenance, multi-line phone use, general computer skills and email software. General clerical, data processing, technical or administrative experience is defined as� work performing a variety of duties which are clear-cut and typically found in office settings, such as filing, copying, inputting data, general computer skills, and directing telephone calls.\r\n������������������������������������������������������� �� OR\r\nSix months of experience in the U.S. Armed Forces.\r\nNote: These requirements are established by the Family Investment Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article Title 5, Subtitle 2, Section 204 (b)(1) of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Office of Personnel Services and Benefits of the Department of Budget and Management and the Examination Services Unit of the Maryland Department of Human Services do not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.\r\n

SELECTION PROCESS

\r\nPlease make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.�\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with State of Maryland guidelines.\r\n\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.� The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.� Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.\r\n

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS:�STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n�•\tPersonal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).�\r\n•\tAnnual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.\r\n•\tSick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.\r\n•\tParental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.\r\n•\tHolidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.\r\n•\tPension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.\r\n•\tPositions may be eligible for telework.�\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

\r\nThe online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Trelia Gunter, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Suite 1100, Baltimore, MD 21201.\r\n\r\n\r\nOr email trelia.gunter@maryland.gov.; voice 410-767-7416.\r\n\r\n\r\nAll mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.�\r\n\r\n\r\nIf additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to�trelia.gunter@maryland.gov. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.�\r\n\r\n\r\nTTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.\r\n�\r\nIf you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.�\r\n\r\n\r\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.\r\n\r\n