Self Sufficiency Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs responsible professional work assessing employability, determining eligibility and monitoring the progress of customers in employment service related programs. Provides ongoing case management services with the goal of long-term financial independence/family self-sufficiency. Facilitates program offerings that include work experience, job skills training, educational assistance, financial planning, childcare assistance, and home ownership. Established and maintains employment and/or training plans for customers that include the provision of support services and specialized assessment and counseling. Promotes the program through public relation activities, workforce committees, and other professional staff. Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Explains employment services and child care programs.
• Explains customer responsibilities, rights and program availability and conducts follow-up as needed.
• Evaluates eligibility and conducts assessment interviews to determine the customer’s employability, barriers to employment and supportive service needs. Explores potential sources of income.
• Communicates the need to become self-sufficient and independent.
• Serves as a resource staff to the public concerning employment services and child care programs.
• Refers clients to other agencies, vendors, educational facilities and businesses for additional services as necessary to remove barriers.
• Monitors component activities of customers and compliance with their service plans.
• Reassesses client’s progress and performance regularly.
• Develops jobs and work experience sites for agency employment service customers.
• Teaches job search/readiness class as assigned.
• Provides direct services to customers. Purchases necessary services, supplies and training from vendors to facilitate customer participation.
• Manages, prioritizes and maintains caseload to ensure deadlines are met and program goals are attained. Maintains files to allow for retrieval of work status information.
• Ensures automated systems are updated timely and accurately.
• Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals.
• Represents agency decision in the administrative appeals process.
• Develops and maintains relationship with community agencies, employers and vendors.
• Monitors case reports and records in accordance with federal, state and local regulations
• Conducts home visits and provides follow-up services as needed
• Initiates sanctioning procedures on all non-exempt customers who fail, without good cause, to participate in the Employment Services Program
• Provides a continuum of case management and emergency services for clients who have utilized their initial 24 month eligibility for agency programs.

REQUIREMENTS/PREFERENCES

Education

Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, counseling or related field or combination of training, education, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the work described.

Experience

Preferred: Some experience in the human service field. Experience in employment services is preferred.

Certifications/ Licenses

Required: Valid Virginia driver’s license with good driving record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of employment counseling techniques, job development methods and job placement practices.
• Ability to communicate orally for conducting interviews, public speaking and other activities.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to interpret laws, policies and regulations for compliance with federal, state, local and agency standards, guidelines, regulations, policies and laws.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems.
• Maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality.
• Skilled in the use of standard office personal computer hardware and software.

Additional Requirements

Subject to a complete criminal history and Child Protective Service background checks with acceptable results. Must also be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None