HUMAN SERVICE SPECIALIST III

14

Social Services Administration

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

This position performs foster care case reviews to determine client eligibility for Title IV-E Federal Funding within the Department of Human Resources, Social Services Administration. The position will be located primarily in Prince George's County. The incumbent in this position functions as a Title IV-E Specialist and is responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal laws, rules and regulations for the delivery of services; reviews out-of-home foster care placements to ensure that a positive eligibility determination is made for children who are eligible to receive Title IV-E funding; completes retroactive and prospective federal claim adjustments; works independently to determine eligibility based on State and Federal regulations and policies; and decides on appropriate funding adjustments to the State's accounting records. This is a highly proficient level position, which requires the ability to work independently and have a thorough knowledge of State and Federal regulations to ensure that maximum allowable Federal fund reimbursement is received for the delivery of child welfare service.

This position completes initial eligibility determinations for children entering out-of-home care; utilizes several databases including Maryland Children Electronic Social Service Information Exchange (MD CHESSIE), Maryland Automated Benefit System (MABS), State Verification Exchange System (SVES), and Client Automated Resource and Eligibility System (CARES) to obtain and verify information necessary to meet Federal eligibility requirements; and assesses information and supporting documentation to determine if Federal eligibility requirements are met. Completes IV-E Redeterminations of cases remaining in care for 12 months or longer to ensure that a positive eligibility determination is made for children who are eligible to receive Federal funding under the Title IV-E program; completes IV-E Redeterminations at 180 days for voluntary placement cases to ensure unique Federal requirements for continued eligibility; completes Applicable Child Assessments, Adoption Subsidy Eligibility Determinations and Guardianship Assistance Eligibility Determinations; updates accurate data into the MD CHESSIE database; maintains supporting documentation for determinations that meet Federal standards; collects, compiles and researches data necessary to make an accurate determination of all completed cases such as: computer clearances (CIS-general demographics, MABS-parental earned income/wages, child support information, SVES-SSI/SSA unearned income information for the entire household), court orders, and other pertinent legal documents that assist in making accurate eligibility determinations; applies knowledge of Federal and State policies and procedures in order to accurately determine eligibility for other Federal funding, i.e. Title II (SSA) benefits, Title XVI (SSI) benefits, Title XX (Medical Assistance), and Adoption Subsidy funds; analyzes documentation for representative payee changes, i.e. ensures that the Agency is made the payee for the benefits of children who have entered out-of-home care; serves as a liaison between Baltimore City Department of Social Service and the Social Security Administration to ensure that children receive appropriate funding; completes Retroactive and Prospective Federal Claim Adjustments including thorough review of case files and other pertinent documentations; formulates and prepares a decision regarding whether funds should be requested retroactively if a child is eligible and in a reimbursable placement; participates in the preparation for Federal reviews and audits of the Title IV-E program at the State and local level; provides documentation, information, and technical assistance to reviewers and auditors; prepares monthly productivity reports detailing determinations completed; prepares statistical/data reports that are used to support the Agency's claims for Federal Funds; consults with Regional Supervisor weekly to review productivity, data, statistics or Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) trends/issues/concerns regarding Title IV-E; and consults/interacts with children's caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, Title IV-E liaison, and other agency representatives in order to ensure that required documentations are retrieved and that the established procedures are adhered to.

Please describe in detail any job duties relating to the minimum qualifications stated and include any computer software experience (ex. Word, Excel, Access, MD CHESSIE, CARES, SVES, MABS, etc.) used in each of the positions you held.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.

Notes:

1. Additional professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Education at the graduate level at an accredited college or university in a human services related field may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester hours per year for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or Administrative Officer specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical, and Officer Services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

1. One year of experience in a child welfare federal funding program.

2. Knowledge of Personal Computer, Network Systems, Printers, Software Applications such as; Microsoft windows, Word, Excel, Access, and Power-Point, Internet, Client Information System (CIS) Foster Care and Adoption Tracking System FACTS), Maryland Children's Electronic Social Services Information Exchange MDCHESSIE), Client Automated Resources and Eligibility System (CARES), (SVES), Maryland Automated Benefit System (MABS), Facsimile Machines, Photocopy Machines, Calculators, Telephone.       

3. Strong written and oral communication skills.

4. Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.

5. Flexibility in a busy environment.

6. Strong time management, priority setting and problem-solving skills.

Please provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for one year.

The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies. 

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. 

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred.  If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to:

DHR Examination Services Unit

Attention: Leslie Wigfield

311 W. Saratoga Street, First Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Or, fax requested information to: 410-333-0882; Email dhr.esu@maryland.gov; Voice 410-767-7316, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347.

Do not submit unsolicited documentation. The paper application must be received by 5 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay, 1-800-925-4434.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.