State of Maryland

A Family Investment Specialist III Lead is the 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.  Employees in this classification 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.  Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train 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.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the classification specification.

The Family Investment Specialist III Lead is differentiated from the Family Investment Specialist II in that the Family Investment Specialist III Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Family Investment Specialists while the Family Investment Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Family Investment Specialist III Lead is differentiated from the Family Investment Specialist IV in that the Family Investment Specialist IV provides specialized services to customers, handles cases of a more complex nature and also assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Family Investment Specialists.

Assigns and reviews the work of and trains lower-level Family Investment Specialists for completeness, accuracy, application of and compliance with State and federal policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations;

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;

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.

Knowledge of the impact of poverty and related sociological and health problems;

Knowledge of Family Investment Administration program areas and services;

Skill in the use of computer applications;

Skill in the use of interviewing and communication techniques;

Skill in preparing clear, accurate and detailed reports;

Skill in understanding and explaining complex federal, State and local policy, requirements, guidelines, procedures and regulations;

Ability to train Family Investment Specialists on policies, procedures and regulations;

Ability to assign and review the work of Family Investment Specialists;  

Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with customers, staff members, other agencies and institutions and the general public;

Ability to effectively organize and manage work assignments and meet deadlines;

Ability to meet required performance goals and accuracy expectations;

Ability to maintain confidential case information.

Education:    An Associate of Arts 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 two years of the required education.

2. 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.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Services Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.