New Job Government Assistance Eligibility Specialist I (Office Of Eligibility And Support Services), Grade 17 In Maryland

This recruitment will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With 1,750 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a Department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

If you are interested in working for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Government Assistance Eligibility Specialist I position.

About the Position:

Positions may be full time, part time, merit, term, and/or grant funded.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) is recruiting for Government Assistance Eligibility Specialist I (GAES I) positions to work in the units and programs outlined below.

The GAES I will work at the entry-developmental level in determining eligibility of County residents for various programs that assist individuals, families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities needing financial and/or medical assistance and other support services. The GAES I will receive formal and on-the-job training in income assistance eligibility procedures, while performing duties of limited scope intended to introduce them to the field. They receive assignments of gradually increasing complexity until they become fully proficient in all aspects of eligibility determination and interpersonal relations. The GAES I works with applicants, their families, and/or their representatives; professional social service and related staffs within the department, in State and Federal agencies, other counties, community social service agencies, and service providers to obtain or verify information, resolve problems, coordinate actions regarding eligibility determinations, or refer people and cases to other service units or agencies.

After successful completion of a training cohort, a GAES I will work under the direct supervision of a unit supervisor. Work is subject to specific County, State and Federal guidelines and regulations.

Incumbents work in an environment that values quality customer service and treats all populations with respect and dignity. Positions may require flexible work hours to provide service at various locations throughout Montgomery County and through teleworking. These positions will also be required to represent HHS in enrollment events or community outreach events to inform the public about the availability of HHS programs. This could require an adjusted work week to cover weekend or evenings.

Programs:

Income Supports: determine initial and ongoing eligibility for Income Support Programs, including Temporary Cash Assistance, Temporary Disability Assistance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps), Public Assistance to Adults, and Medical Assistance; conduct and complete initial interviews, process cases, authorize benefits, make necessary referrals to other services and programs and maintain an ongoing caseload to meet all established requirements.

Child Care Subsidy (Working Parents Assistance) Program: determine initial and ongoing eligibility for the Working Parents’ Assistance Program.

Maryland Health Connection and County Health Services: determine initial and ongoing eligibility for various healthcare programs.

Medical Assistance (Long-term Care): covers a portion of the cost of care in long-term care facilities, for aged, blind or disabled persons whose available income is insufficient to meet the entire cost. Other medical services are also covered. The position requires an understanding of financial statements.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Some positions filled under this recruitment may prefer Basic and/or Advanced bilingual proficiency in American Sign Language, Amharic/English, Chinese/English, French/English, Korean/English, Spanish/English, and/or Vietnamese/English. If a language proficiency is required, the candidate selected to fill the vacancy will be required to pass a language proficiency exam assessing oral communication, reading comprehension, interpreting, and (for advanced proficiency) translating text.

The selected candidates must successfully complete a medical evaluation and drug/alcohol screen prior to appointment.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

Additional Employment Information

Effective August 30, 2021 all new hires will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to their first date of employment. Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated should contact [email protected] to discuss possible accommodations.

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to [email protected] . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: None.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria

There is no Preferred Criteria.

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated Qualified, placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

• Experience working with computer applications
• Experience working with and providing customer service
• Knowledge of Public Assistance Programs
• Oral and Written Communications

Minimum Salary 46436 Maximum Salary 76419 Currency USD