SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM EXAMINER (HEAP) TEMP

This position exists in the Department of Social Services and involves responsibility to participate in the delivery of financial service programs including:  Temporary Assistance, Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and Child Support Enforcement and Collection Services.  The work is performed in accordance with State and Federal regulations and department policy and involves responsibility in determining financial eligibility, investigations, in-depth interviewing, determining amounts of assistance, making appropriate referrals, and the processing and maintenance of a variety of forms and records.  In addition, the incumbents may represent the department in court as custodian of record to ascertain the completeness of records.  Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level employee with leeway allowed in the performance of work assignments.   Supervision is not normally a function of this class.   Does related work as required.

• Conducts investigations, including in-depth interviews to elicit sufficient information to approve, deny or determine eligibility of a financial service program, make an appropriate referral, or proceed with further investigation;
• Re-determines or re-certifies eligibility for a financial service;
• Contacts a variety of sources to document information on applications;
• Keeps  abreast of changing laws, regulations and policies in order to assure the correct provision of financial services and to perform related duties;
• Assists the non-Public Assistance caseload for child support services, including filing petitions and conducting investigations, and may appear to testify in court proceedings;
• Compiles and prepares documentation and orders for hearings and may appear to testify to the completeness of records at such legal hearings;
• Compiles and prepares petitions (including the establishment of paternity, establishment of support, modification of support, and enforcement of support) for court proceedings;
• Prepares cases for court and writes reports of court proceedings;
• Reviews forms to determine that all statements are complete and consistent with every other item of information provided; where necessary for clarification or completion of certification forms, asks applicants appropriate questions and makes necessary additions or corrections on the forms;
• Answers correspondence and inquiries for assigned program areas;
• Informs and advises clients/applicants on the services provided by the agency and on related services provided by other agencies;
• Monitors and maintains case files and takes case action based on monitoring activities;
• Conducts investigations to determine location of individuals legally responsible for the support of children, or makes referral to locator service;
• Investigates applicants to elicit sufficient information to determine eligibility for financial service and/or location of individuals legally responsible for the support of children to minimize need for financial support;
• Researches applicant status, prior history, and payment or grant history utilizing various electronic data storage and retrieval systems;
• Records information on paper and computer systems;
• Makes financial arrangements on behalf of clients with public utilities, landlords, and employers;
• Records information on forms to be entered into electronic data storage and retrieval and/or paper systems to record and update case records, to compute budgets; etc.;
• Conducts investigations to determine location of individuals legally responsible for the support of children, or makes referral to locator service;
• Makes referrals for full field investigation where fraud is indicated;
• Maintains confidentiality of all client information in all units assigned.

Either:
(A)Two years of study (6o credit hours), or higher at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college, university, or business school; or

B)Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time) experience in examining, investigating or evaluating claims for assistance, financial support, veterans or unemployment benefits, insurance or similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility; or

C)An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined within the limits of (A) and (B) above. Good knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, codes, and policies concerning the provision of social services financial eligibility programs including support services; working knowledge of investigation techniques including interviewing procedures and practices; working knowledge of other laws, codes and programs relating to the provision of human services in support of social services programs; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to analyze facts and use facts in determining financial eligibility; ability to relate well with others under stressful conditions; ability to read and understand moderately complex written information; ability to analyze obtained information and determine its pertinence to financial service programs; ability to keep records and reports, both hard copy and computerized.