Social Services Examiner 1-HELP Program

** There is no exam requirement for this role at this time.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under the supervision of a technical or administrative supervisor, an employee in this class determines financial eligibility for programs administered by the Department of Social Services, and recommends amounts of assistance in accordance with established policies and procedures.  This class is distinguished by the fact that the employee conducts personal interviews with applicants, computes budgets for applicants and determines or reviews applicants' eligibility for assistance.  Some workers may be assigned to a unit responsible for performing fieldwork to obtain collateral verification of information to be used in the eligibility determination process.  The incumbent works under close supervision at first, but is expected to develop considerable initiative and judgment as experience is gained.

**Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Interviews applicants for financial assistance programs;

• Reviews certification form to determine that the information is complete and consistent; when necessary, asks applicant appropriate questions and makes necessary additions and/or corrections to the form;

• Evaluates applicant's financial eligibility for assistance; may determine initial categorical eligibility;

• Prepares and computes budget for the applicant;

• Advises applicant of the eligibility determination, the amount of assis­tance and when the first grant can be expected;

• Informs applicants about the program under which they are eligible, and any documentation or additional information which may be needed;

• Explains the validation process to the applicant;

• Advises applicants about their duties to keep the agency informed of any change which may affect eligibility;

• Informs applicant about the range of services in the agency and may refer applicant to social services section or other specialists, such as resources, housing, employment, legal, medical, etc;

• Makes redeterminations of financial eligibility;

• Recommends emergency grants as needed;

• Makes field visits to obtain collateral verification of information to be used in determining eligibility for Public Assistance; provides eligibility workers with information obtained in field reviews.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of federal, state and local social service laws and programs as they affect eligibility for financial assistance and money payments; good knowledge of Department of Social Services policies and procedures governing applications for assistance and eligibility criteria; good knowledge of the laws pertaining to Workers' Compensation, Social Security and Unemployment Insurance as they affect eligibility for financial assistance; working knowledge of the services and programs available to applicants; ability to analyze facts objectively; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and clients; ability to understand and interpret written and oral instructions; good powers of observation and perception; tact; emotional maturity; good judgment; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Additional Position Locations: Coram, Deer Park, Smithtown, Ronkonkoma and Riverhead

Starting Salary: $43,430

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either:

a)Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and two (2) years of experience in examining, investigating or evaluating claims for assistance, veterans' or unemployment benefits, insurance or a similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility; or,

b) Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two (2) years of experience in a NYS public social services agency performing duties that require substantial client contact for the purpose of implementing, assessing or directly providing agency programs and services. 

NOTE: Additional education from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

At the time of appointment and during employment in this title, employees will be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Non-Competitive

Suffolk County’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:

• Our focus is to promote, support, and implement the County-wide diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
• We achieve results in all our responsibilities through the use of diversity and inclusion best practices.
• We maintain a familiarity with Diversity & Inclusion trends and best practices.

Suffolk County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.