Lead Income Maintenance Caseworker I

Buncombe County is currently offering an Income Maintenance Caseworker I position that includes a Lead Worker Stipend of $57.70 per week, totaling $1,500 annually.

The Lead Worker will be responsible for training newly hired employees, developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, and providing support to the Front Desk Supervisor as needed. Additional responsibilities include managing weekly supply orders, ensuring all required state document copies remain current, serving as the primary point of contact for team inquiries, and responding to escalated lobby situations with professionalism and composure. The role also involves initiating and resolving IT-related needs as they arise and assisting the Front Desk Supervisor with scheduling tasks.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to provide accurate, timely and integrated customer service in person or by telephone to customers across various Health and Human Services programs.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):  Associate’s degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum and one (1) year of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or High school diploma or GED, and two (2) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Additional Training and Experience:English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Answer questions and gather information from new and established customers in support of an application for services or ongoing services/benefits.
• Explain Agency services across a variety of HHS program areas and transfer calls/route customers to appropriate staff within HHS as needed.
• Gather information from clients through the interview process for the purpose of determining applicant eligibility for Food & Nutrition (FNS) benefits.
• Process changes to client information for Food & Nutrition (FNS), Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance (WFFA).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of agency programs and staff.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures and the ability to effectively use various software applications and office equipment.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations regarding handling of customer’s charts and customer-related communications.
• Ability to receive people in a courteous, caring, and professional manner at all times.
• Skills in clear communication, problem solving and decision making.
• Ability to read, comprehend and apply rules and regulations and often changing policies and guidelines pertaining to eligibility programs.
• Ability to interpret agency policies and procedures to people of varied social, economic, and educational backgrounds to obtain data for documentation and verification of information needed.
• Ability to detect the customers need for other agency services and make appropriate referrals.

• Ability to learn the intricacies of numerous forms and procedures related to public assistance programs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

  Buncombe County is currently offering an Income Maintenance Caseworker position that includes a Lead Worker Stipend of $57.70 per week, totaling $1,500 annually.

  The Lead Worker will be responsible for training newly hired employees, developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, and providing support to the Front Desk Supervisor as needed. Additional responsibilities include managing weekly supply orders, ensuring all required state document copies remain current, serving as the primary point of contact for team inquiries, and responding to escalated lobby situations with professionalism and composure. The role also involves initiating and resolving IT-related needs as they arise and assisting the Front Desk Supervisor with scheduling tasks.

  Purpose of the position:

  The purpose of this position is to ensure all eligible individuals receive timely public assistance benefits by determining eligibility of Buncombe County residents applying for public assistance within a single Income Maintenance program.                         

  Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associate’s degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum and one (1) year of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering, and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or graduation from high school and two (2) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering, and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

  Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

  Essential Functions of the Position:

• Determine client eligibility for benefits accurately and within Federal and State mandated time frames.
• Gather and interpret client data and perform case file reviews.  
• Provide information to clients/applicants regarding programs, services, and eligibility requirements and outcomes.
• Review client applications, verifying the information obtained and determining eligibility.
• Document findings and maintain up to date records of all cases.
• Complete scheduled client re-certification for eligibility. 
• Explain public assistance program requirements and options to client/applicant.
• Refer client/applicant to other program services as appropriate.
• Acquire and maintain knowledge of Health and Human Services in order to serve customers within an integrated model.
• Adhere to all program mandates and stay current with program policy.
• Identify cases for investigation of potential fraud and submit appropriate fraud referral documentation.
• Assist in local and state hearings process as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Proficiency in working with a variety of computer systems and software. 
• Considerable knowledge of agency and community programs and services which could affect the client/applicant.
• Ability to maintain a satisfactory working relationship with applicants and others contacted within the course of performing the work. 
• Ability to willingly accept work direction from multiple parties and work as part of a team.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend and apply rules and regulations and often changing policies and guidelines pertaining to eligibility programs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     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Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.