Family Support Specialist I

The Kentucky Department for community Based services (DCBS) is a multi-faceted agency that provides services and programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

DCBS seeks a Family support specialist who is driven to succeed in helping people and the vulnerable population. With professionalism and integrity, our agency offers public assistance. The Family support specialist will utilize the formal training provided to make eligibility determinations for various public assistance programs. The employee is expected to perform at the highest quality to ensure services to vulnerable citizens. This is a demanding position that requires maturity and self-discipline.

For more information on the Department for community Based services, please visit our website at: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/Pages/default.aspx

Career growth is encouraged through training and mentoring. Benefits include health and life insurance, flexible work schedules, paid sick and vacation leave, and retirement benefits.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Interview clients over call services in order to determine eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, and/or childcare.

• Uses documentation provided by clients to determine eligibility for cases.

• Scan documents into the electronic case file.

• Communicate with clients via call services regarding a variety of issues.

• Identifies other needs of clients and makes appropriate referrals to community Partners.

• Participates in formal and on-line trainings to learn various public assistance program policies and procedures.

• Explains employment and training program which will assist clients in obtaining employment.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience working with families and/or children.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Good time management and organizational skills.

• The ability to work well under pressure.

• A willingness to work as part of a team.

CHFS also participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in U.S. CHFS will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that CHFS has violated its E- Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

The position you are applying for has access to or use of federal tax information (FTI) or meets the statutory definition of front-line staff. Therefore, pursuant to IRS Publication 1075 and 900 KAR 1:009 or KRS 194A.062 and 900 KAR 1:050, applicants for this position in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) shall submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. .

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Must complete two years (54 semester hours) from a college or university.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Administrative work, clerical office work, work dealing directly with the public, or experience in reviewing, monitoring, determining eligibility for, and/or administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program, Medical Assistance, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Support, or other public assistance programs will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Performs job duties in an office setting and/or visits clients in homes.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Gary Farmer at garyg.farmer@ky.gov or 855-306-8959.