Social Services Case Aide

Public Health and Human Services

Social Services Case Aide
Grade:140  

What You Will Earn:

·        This position is an in-person position located in Cook County, MN.

·        The anticipated starting hourly rate for this position is $26.28 (Step 1) -$28.43 (Step 3)/hour depending on experience. With a full future earning potential of $26.28 (Step 1) -$35.97 (Step 9)/hour ($54,662.40 - $74,817.60 annually). 

·        This position is a full-time 40 hours per week and eligible for full-time county BENEFITS PACKAGE.

Job Summary:

Performs a variety of paraprofessional social services tasks under the direction of a Social Services Supervisor.  Performs moderately difficult office support assignments for social services staff based upon previous office experience and knowledge of agency programs, procedures and practices. This position requires keyboarding skills and employees at this level need knowledge of specialized software and technical terminology.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Case Aide – Social Services

• Enters service agreement, screening, demographic and assessment data in State databases for Managed Care, waivers and substance use disorder assessment and treatment services; independently analyzes and problem-solves issues in data entry.
• Collects urine and saliva samples both in the office and in the community.
• Orders drug screening tests and maintains inventory for PHHS.
• Provides transportation services to social service recipients.
• Assists with agency-related audits by compiling and scanning requested file information.
• Creates file folders, archives closed case management files and workgroups.
• Sends mailings on behalf of the Social Services teams.
• Enters program service data received from In-Home Support Program service providers and recipients.
• Assists Licensor with Childcare/Foster Care licensing by initiating background studies sending application packets, filing documents, and creating new hard files.
• Schedules comprehensive assessment for individuals seeking substance use evaluation and treatment.
• Conducts eligibility determination and entry of substance use disorder assessment treatment services funding sources including the Behavioral Health Fund for inpatient and outpatient treatment, in coordination with agency social workers, fiscal staff, eligibility specialists, out-of-county treatment providers, insurance companies, and the Department of Human Services.
• Coordinates ordering of bus passes and distribution to clients.
• As directed by Children and Family Services and Children’s Mental Health staff, assists in preparing and distributing notices and processing the responses from the tribes for children as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA).
• Generates, disseminates, and tracks status of correspondence and documents in compliance with program, state, and federal guidelines.
• Ensure that required timeframes are met; prepares and processes legal documents which are forwarded to Court Administration as directed.

2. Customer Service / Office Support

• Provides back-up customer service support for Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Responsibilities include obtaining highly sensitive client information, directing all incoming calls, walk-in requests for service and appointments. Listens, interprets, and determines, in conjunction with staff, where to route intake requests while maintaining confidentiality. Monitors general voicemail system for PHHS Dept.
• Receives applications for public assistance and social services programs. Collects and enters client data into multiple computer systems, reconciles data entry with public health, social services, and healthcare/economic assistance eligibility staff.
• Sorts, files, faxes, and scans confidential documents. Creates client profiles in electronic health record and prepares intake documents for comprehensive assessments for the substance use disorder treatment program.
• As directed, maintains policy and program manuals.

Non-Essential Functions: 

• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Associate degree
• Three (3) years clerical and/or customer service experience
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Desired: Prior experience in a human services agency.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Valid driver’s license required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to manage time and prioritize duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge necessary to operate and trouble shoot numerous office software programs, Internet browsers, State client record management systems and electronic document management systems.
• Knowledge of data privacy requirements and ability to maintain client confidentiality.
• Skill in interacting with people with diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, people with mental and physical disabilities, and people in stressful situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, across departments, and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to create, implement, and adapt to new ways of doing things.
• Knowledge of community resources available for clients and co-workers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and clientele which may, at times, include the use of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan.
• Ability to think quickly and handle issues of safety for staff and the public as it arises due to tense or threatening situations, severe weather and medical emergencies.
• Ability to work with the public in an attentive and person-centered manner.

Internal/External Relationships:

• Interacts daily with county office staff for exchange of information and computer support.
• Interacts daily with general public, court staff, clients, school and social service community professionals for customer service, and the exchange of information.
• Interacts periodically with staff from the Sheriff’s Office and Court Administration for exchange of information.
• Interacts regularly with community providers.

Working Environment:

• Duties are performed in a regular office environment.
• Travel within and outside the county is required for case aide tasks, training, meetings, and/or presentations at community agencies.
• Involves frequent direct and telephone contact with individuals who have the potential to become hostile, threatening or abusive.
• May involve exposure to persons with communicable illnesses and unpleasant odors.

Physical Requirements Of This Position:

• Sit or stand at a desk for extended periods of time and perform work at a computer or talk on the phone. Physical ability to move about the office.
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate in person and over the phone.
• Visual acuity to visually evaluate clients, read computer screens and printed documents and to see to drive a motor vehicle.
• Manual dexterity to:

• • Type on a keyboard and calculator and use a computer mouse.
  • Perform manual tasks such as handwriting, searching through documents and compiling material.
  • Office work may include reaching for documents and supplies, standing or kneeling to search through file cabinets, fingering to find files, grasping documents, and repetitive motions such as typing and sorting/compiling material.
• Lift and carry files and boxes weighing up to 25 pounds.

“This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer”

Cook County MN will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, veteran status, or status about public assistance. We take affirmative steps to ensure that all our county’s employment practices are free of discrimination.

Salary : $54,662 - $74,818