Compensation: $48,000 - $55,000 annually
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Position SummaryResponsible for managing the LCDHS staff members who determine initial and continuing eligibility for Old Age Pension, Aide to Needy Disabled Programs and other adult programs, Food Assistance and County Emergency Assistance, Medicaid, and TANF. Provides supervision for Income Maintenance Technicians, Public Assistance Administrative Assistants, and the TANF Case Manager. Manages and oversees the EBT process and is responsible for quality control.

General Duties and ResponsibilitiesReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

This position both performs all duties, supervises the work and ensures training of staff charged with economic security eligibility processing

• Responsible for the smooth operations of the LCDHS Public Assistance office housed in shared space with Lake County Public Health Agency, Summit Community Care Clinic, and other community partners.
• Must be able to utilize effect communication skills to collaborate with partner agencies in this shared space and in the community.
• Provides continuous supervisory responsibilities over Income Maintenance Technicians, Trainers, Administrative Assistants, and TANF Case Manager.
• Makes contact with persons requesting financial, medical, and food assistance. Reviews applications from persons for assistance, such as public assistance and general assistance, in these program areas. Periodically monitors interviews with applicants and provides short-term counseling in these areas.
• Assesses need, interprets programs, and makes referrals appropriate to services and assistance available in the department or community.
• Supervises verification of eligibility process on matters such as income, resources, identity, age, citizenship, residence, and social security number.
• Supervises eligibility for these programs by interpreting rules, regulations, and policies governing each program area. Authorizes continuation, reduction or termination of benefits when the recipient is determined to be ineligible for the level of benefits received. Interfaces, on a daily basis, with a computer system requiring accurate, complete data entry. Interprets and evaluates computer generated data to determine application to individual case processing as in approvals, changes, discontinuations, and denials.
• Clarifies and interprets appeal rights and procedures to the client who responds to notices generated by the computer.
• Assesses client’s needs and determines financial eligibility for initial applications and for redeterminations of continuing eligibility.
• Determines the need to recover funds and supervises and conducts fraud investigations; prepares for and represents the department in evidentiary conferences and state hearings; recognizes and records appropriate documents related to recoveries and retroactive payments.
• Completes paperwork related to interim assistance procedures when a client receives SSI-lump sum payments, breaks down payment requests from SSA, computes monthly amounts due the client and department, changes categories, issues retros, and seeks reimbursement.
• Assists with State Management Evaluations and other monitoring. Assist in preparation for these activities as well as follow up required. Can rely on staff and County Director for support in these matters.
• The complexity of the work deals with supervising the intake of applications and verification of information to approve or deny assistance because of the number of programs, rules, regulations and their differences, revisions, and procedural changes. The incumbent is expected to deal with unusual and/or difficult cases when they arise and provide appropriate supervisory assistance.
• Contacts with recipients are to gather information, determine eligibility, explain the program, procedures, and regulations, and make referrals to other available services. Contact with supervisees in a productive and professional manner. Contacts with the public are to verify income and resources and provide general information.

• Supervises the Public Assistance/Economic Security Administrative Assistants; Supervises the Public Assistance/Economic Security Eligibility Technicians. Instructions may be received from the Assistant Economic Security Manager when cases are assigned and during the progress of a case. Work is reviewed for compliance to policy and general conclusions through spot checks and management conferences. Instructions are received on regulations and policies with supervisory consultation available on the more difficult application of manual regulations. Selected cases are reviewed during the month for compliance to procedures, policy, completeness accuracy, and final decisions. Employees must exercise judgment in applying and selecting appropriate rules and regulations, and ensuring that all information on recipients is accurate and verified. Errors in determinations could impact reimbursements to the county, affect recipient grants, and result in recovery effort.

• Supervisor provides training and detailed instructions on rules, regulations, procedures, forms, equipment, and communication techniques. Work is closely reviewed for complete documentation and accurate eligibility decisions.

Requirements

• Graduation from High School or GED equivalent.
• Two years full time responsible work experience, one year of which must be determining eligibility for public financial assistance in a department of social services. Or, satisfactory completion of an associate’s degree or
• bachelor’s degree in business, behavioral science, or appropriately related field may substitute for all but the one year of required specific experience in determining eligibility.

Knowledge of

• Eligibility rules and regulations for food assistance, adult assistance programs, Medicaid, Child Care Assistance and TANF.
• Other community agencies and/or programs.
• Basic and effective communication techniques.
• Colorado Benefits Management System and all other interfaces and databases used by Public Assistance.
• Eligibility criteria and TANF and CCAP rules and regulations.
• Skill in interviewing techniques as well as written and oral communication.
• Understanding of human behavior and management.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious professional relationships with other department supervisors and managers, supervisees, employees, outside agencies and the public.
• Supervise employees, at the direction of the Assistant Economic Security Manager, Economic Security Manager and Department Director, in a manner that promotes professionalism, personal development, and professional growth.
• Independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans and make quick decisions as needed.
• Clearly and concisely express oneself both verbally and in written format.
• Apply basic math and read, interpret and apply manual regulations.
• Understand department policy and procedures.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with applicants, recipients, coworkers, advocacy groups, legal representatives, the public and other agencies of the community.
• Make an objective distinction between relevant and non-relevant information when making eligibility decisions.
• Deal with upset community members
• Read and interpret written material into practical application.
• Compile several documents; input correct figures and information to accurately compute eligibility and payment.
• Detect errors and make corrections as well as provide feedback to employees on errors.
• Travel to conferences or events within and outside of the state of Colorado may be required.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.

Hazard Notice
May work with escalated individuals

Physical Activity & Work Environment

• Ability to work indoors in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to see close up and far away, with or without glasses or contacts. Ability to work outdoors in inclement, hot, or cold weather as required by attendance of County events or local emergencies.

EOE Statement
Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Lake County Benefits - Full-Time Employees

As a reflection of the value we place on the contributions of our employees, the County offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees. Please review the 2024 Benefits Guide for full details. The Guide provides information on Lake County Government's benefit offerings, including:

• Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• 401(a) and 457(b) Employer Matched Retirement Plans
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Health Emergency Leave
• Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!

Lake County Benefits - Part-Time Employees

Lake County is also proud to offer paid sick time off and flexible work schedules for our part-time employees.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.