FAMILY INVESTMENT SPECIALIST III

This Statewide Recruitment is reopened to allow additional candidates to apply and to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Department of Social Services throughout the State.

APPLIED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT (18-000691-0001), DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND WOULD NOW LIKE TO REAPPLY? Please contact the HR Analyst listed at the top of this job posting for assistance.   

PREVIOUSLY APPLIED AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS RECRUITMENT (18-000691-0001)? You do not need to reapply. You remain on the eligible list for this recruitment; your expiration date has been extended into next year. If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact the HR Analyst listed at the top of this job posting for assistance.   

Placement on this list as Best-Qualified is not a guarantee that you will be offered an interview for any given vacancy. ALL approved candidates will be placed on this list of eligible candidates in one Best-Qualified randomized scoring band. The list of eligible candidates will be used by our local offices as vacancies become available.

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STATEWIDE

This Statewide recruitment is reopened to allow additional candidates to apply and to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Department of Social Services throughout the State.  

Applicants should indicate on their applications all counties (or Baltimore City) where they are willing to accept employment for this classification. As positions become available, our Local Departments of Social Services will consider candidates from the eligible list who have selected the local department's location on their application.  

Family Investment Specialist III is the advanced or lead level of work providing specialized services in eligibility determination or quality assurance review of customer eligibility for Family Investment Administration (FIA) programs in a local Department of Social Services. In eligibility determination the specialized services include customer appeals of eligibility determination, overpayment of benefits, foster care benefits or adult long term care programs. In the quality control program the employee reviews cases in one or more program categories completing a required number of cases monthly. Employees interview customers, explain program requirements and options, verify information, determine category of eligibility, assist customers in resolving problems and handle the disposition of routine and complex cases. Lead worker responsibilities include assigning, reviewing and approving the work of and training other employees in lower-level classifications in the same series. Employees in this classification do not supervise but may function as lead workers assigning and reviewing work, and providing assistance to lower-level Family Investment Specialists. Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Family Investment Specialist Supervisor or other higher-level administrator. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and may visit customers in their homes or at facilities such as nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.

Examples of Work:

Provides specialized services in the Family Investment Administration (FIA) of the Department of Human Resources in eligibility determination or quality control.

In eligibility determination, provides specialized services, such as customer appeals and overpayments. In quality control, reviews cases processed by eligibility determination workers and completes a required number of cases each month.

Interviews customers to determine eligibility and need for FIA programs.

Elicits information as to family composition, employment, health status, financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements.

Explains program requirements and procedures to individuals or in a group setting.

Checks public records, such as birth records and real estate transactions.

Contacts individuals, employers, landlords, attorneys, financial institutions, medical offices, and government and community agencies to obtain, verify or clarify information required for eligibility determinations, such as income, resources, residency and household composition.

Determines program eligibility in accordance with federal, State and local laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Calculates incomes and resources to establish benefit level.

Records and updates information in automated databases and classifies and codes errors for statistical analysis.

Records and updates case information using computerized databases.

Contacts customers regarding discrepancies and refers questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up.

Provides information on and makes referrals to service agencies, organizations and vendors for appropriate services to meet customer health, housing, food, employment, child care and transportation needs.

Monitors progress and applies appropriate sanctions when necessary;

Provides basic counseling and problem solving support.

Serves as an advocate on behalf of customers. May make visits to customers homes to gather information.

May give testimony of case study findings at hearings, appeals and court hearings as a representative of the Department.

Performs other related duties.

Please read the job announcement in its entirety before applying for this recruitment. Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire.

EDUCATION: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience determining eligibility for governmental assistance programs.

NOTES:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience determining eligibility for governmental assistance programs on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree in Income Maintenance/Family Investment and two years of experience involving public contact and performance of support functions directly related to Family Investment program operations for the required education.

3. These requirements are established by the Family Investment Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article Title 5, Subtitle 2, Section 204 (b)(1) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  The Office of Personnel Services and Benefits of the Department of Budget and Management and the Examination Services Unit of the Maryland Department of Human Services do not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure that you 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. We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified,and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. 

You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 138, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 P.M. on the closing date.  Resumes are not required and will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.  

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If unable to upload, please fax requested information only to 410-333-0882.  Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please email Scott Waddel at scott.waddel@maryland.gov. 

TTY Users, please call via Maryland Relay. 

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

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

People with disabilities and bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

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