Job DetailsLevelExperiencedJob LocationWadena County Human Services - Wadena, MNPosition TypeFull TimeEducation LevelBachelor's DegreeSalary Range$31.37 - $42.77 HourlyPosition DetailsApplications must be submitted by December 16th, 2024. Eligibility Worker Experience is required to apply. Provides supervision and administrative support for child support and financial programs intended to promote self-sufficiency for families with children and support the basic needs for poor, elderly, and disabled persons. Provides supervision for the Financial Assistance staff which includes child support staff and eligibility workers. Ensures that all program benefits are administered within consistent standards set by state and federal laws and delivered in a manner supporting the overall mission of the agency. Participates in development of the annual agency budget. Maintains county contracts for fraud, Consolidated Funding dollars, Family Emergency Assistance, burial expenditures, and staff training budgets.Wadena County Human Services has assigned the duties of a Title VI Coordinator to the Financial Assistance Supervisor. Responsibilities of the Title VI Coordinator include ensuring agency compliance with Title VI requirements. This includes establishing practices which do not discriminate against clients in all programs and activities on the basis of color, race, national origin, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, age, religion and status with regard to use of public assistance. The Title VI Coordinator fields complaints, adheres to agency training guidelines, ensures the Limited English Proficiency.Supervision/Managerial Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervises Lead Eligibility Workers, Lead Child Support workers, Eligibility Workers and Child Support workers in the delivery of services to clients.
- Conducts annual performance evaluations for Child Support and Eligibility workers to promote professional development.
- Conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings as a forum to address changes and coordinate operations.
- Acts as human resources coordinator for this unit. Selects well-qualified personnel. Recruits, interviews, and effectively recommends to the Director for hire all new employees for the financial assistance unit in accordance with Affirmative Action procedures, agency and county policies, and Minnesota Merit System rules.
- Assists staff, as needed, by interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Develops annual training plans for staff and facilitates access to training within budget limits.
- Coordinates the EBT/Managed Care systems.
- Develops employee development plans when necessary.
- Applies disciplinary measures as needed.
- Approves all leave for staff at levels to ensure constant service delivery.
- Manages internal and external relationships in a manner which achieves program goals.
- Negotiates internal and external issues to conclusions which promote the mission of the agency.
- Investigates and resolves customer complaints.
- Represents the agency in program appeals, when necessary.
- Assists in facilitating referrals to social services.
- Participates in regularly scheduled meetings of the management team to plan and evaluate operations that cross unit boundaries.
- Provides and presents management reports and informational material to the County Board.
- Develops procedures needed to achieve compliance with law, rule, or policy governing each program.
- Promotes quality customer service through personal actions and the work of the unit.
- Maintains knowledge of the Data Practices Act, initiating administrative decisions when necessary.
- Evaluates and implements program changes on behalf of DHS, MDES, and the CFL departments.
- Reviews and approves program expenditures which meet budget targets and maximize revenue.
- Coordinates services with community organizations and other units within the agency to assure quality customer service.
- Administers, develops, and implements policies for all public assistance programs which ensure compliance with federal and state laws and rules.
- Develops all policies for the administration of all public assistance programs including: MFIP, DWP, SNAP, HC, General Assistance, METS, MSA, Emergency programs, GRH, other facilities, and managed care.
- Serves as the county security liaison for electronic systems including: MAXIS, METS, MMIS, EBT, Work Number, Deed and SMI.
- Develops annual budgets, monitors, and approves expenditures of funds within the program budgets.
- Oversees completion of the Local Service Unit (LSU) Plan with Mn/CEP.
- Analyzes and recommends changes within the agency to promote client satisfaction and achieve the mission of the agency. Participates in local, regional, and state meetings to address system and Policy changes.
- Prepares Wadena County Emergency Assistance Policy for Submittal to DHS.
- Develops and implements procedures for investigation of reported public assistance fraud.
- Consults with Lead Eligibility Worker who reviews all reported allegations of fraud prior to referring the reports to law enforcement or ADH.
- Meets with local law enforcement, county attorney, corrections, and financial assistance staff, as necessary.
- Coordinates Fraud Prevention Investigation activities.
- Oversees the fraud contracts for the county attorney, sheriff, and police by annually reviewing and updating each contract.
- Supervises the child support program. Maintain knowledge of DHS policies and MN Statutes that apply to the child support program.
- Establishes goals and objectives of the Unit to enhance agency goals and objectives.
- Organizes and assign duties of the Child Support Unit.
- Monitors child support program budget and conduct case reviews to ensure unit compliance with local/state/federal rules/laws.
- Plans for and implements mandated changes of the child support program.
- Carries out Child Support Officer Duties for employee conflict cases and perform allfunctions to cover for other staff in court as needed.
- Maintains knowledge of laws that pertain to collections.
- Maintains good working relationships with other agencies in the community and the public.
- Responds to inquiries/complaints from the public regarding the financial assistance programs, and the METS programs.
- Participates in meetings with other agencies in the area as needed.
- Increases knowledge of all income maintenance, and METS programs, as well as increasing managerial skills.
- Participates in professional associations, conferences, and trainings as needed.
Professional/Technical Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and presents budget, reviews and approves program expenditures.
- Maintains records, prepares reports and composes correspondence.
- Carries a caseload of specialized or complex cases.
Additional/Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities
- Participates in weekly administrative team meetings.
- Participates in semi-monthly individual conferences with the Director.
- Prepares County Inspection Report for Federal Tax Information (FTI).
- Responsible for special projects as assigned. Does research and develops new methods, procedures, and policies. Responsible for organizing these projects and implementing policies and procedures as assigned.
- Attends and participate in staff meetings.
- Attends agency meetings.
- Attends Board meetings when requested.
- Participates in community public relation efforts when requested.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Director.
While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.Position RequirementsKnowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the functions, procedures, organization, and governing rules/regulations of the administrative unit(s) supervised.
- Knowledge of management and supervisory practices.
- Ability to monitor staff working from home on a full-time basis.
- Knowledge of the functions of the human services department.
- Knowledge of the federal program for income maintenance as expressed in the Social Security Act and its amendments.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations relevant to income maintenance programs.
- Considerable knowledge of community resources.
- Knowledge of social and economic problems.
- Ability to coordinate various administrative services.
- Ability to supervise and direct the work of others and stimulate growth in others.
- Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
- Ability to solve complex issues and prepare and present oral and written findings to a broad range of audiences.
- Ability to compile and analyze facts/statistics to make effective decisions and recommendations in routine and emergent matters.
- Ability to plan work according to predicted needs of a unit.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective professional and public relationships.
- Ability to explain regulatory provisions with firmness, tact, and courtesy.
- Ability to conduct effective inspections or investigations periodically with an attitude of impartiality and personal responsibility.
- Ability to prepare a budget for financial programs.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements.
- Ability to apply professional and managerial principles and judgement established by senior management.
- Ability to apply procedures, policies and/or precedents requiring analytical ability in adapting standard methods to address widely varied complex and significant variables, requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations.
- Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with numerous outside and inside contacts to address matters requiring cooperation, explanation and persuasion, or work requiring enforcement of laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
Education and Experience
- Requires four-year degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field.
- And one-year relevant experience; or
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Equipment and Tools
- Office equipment and technology
Physical and Mental RequirementsThis job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is prolonged exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force.The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Working ConditionsWork is performed in an office or other in-door environment. Travel is required to other facilities, meetings training, etc. There is some exposure to hostile, aggressive or uncooperative persons.The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Competencies Common to All County Positions
- Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
- Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
- Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
- Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
- Represent Wadena County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.
Wadena County is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer.