FAMILY INVESTMENT SPECIALIST I

ASTD10

A Family Investment Specialist I is the entry level of work providing direct services to individual customers or families by determining customer eligibility for multiple Family Investment Administration programs in a local Department of Social Services.  Employees in this classification interview customers to explain program requirements and options, to collect and complete required documentation, to refer customers to other program services or agencies as appropriate and to monitor customer progress and use of assistance.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Family Investment Specialist Supervisor or other higher-level administrator.  Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and may be required to visit customers in their homes or at facilities such as nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using by 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 I and the Family Investment Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Family Investment Specialist I performs duties under close supervision.  The Family Investment Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to interview applicants for Public Assistance, Medical Assistance and/or Food Stamps in the Family Investment Administration (FIA) of the Maryland Department of Human Services in order to determine customer eligibility and need for FIA programs;

Learns to explain program requirements and procedures to individual customers or in a group setting;

Learns to elicit information as to family composition, employment, health status, financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements;

Learns to calculate incomes and resources to establish benefit level;

Learns to determine program eligibility in accordance with federal, State and local laws, policies, rules and regulations;

Learns to check public records, such as birth records and real estate transactions;

Learns to contact 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;

Learns to establish and maintain case records using computerized database systems;

Learns to contact customers regarding discrepancies and refer questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up;

Learns to monitor case progress and apply appropriate sanctions when necessary;

Learns to provide information on and make referrals to service agencies, organizations and vendors for appropriate services and information to meet customer health, housing, food, employment assistance, child care and transportation needs;

Learns to serve as a customer advocate;

Learns to provide basic counseling and problem solving support;

May learn to make visits to customers’ homes to gather information;

May learn to prepare appeal packages or testify in administrative appeals hearings;

Performs other related duties.

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

EDUCATION:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

EXPERIENCE: Six months of public contact experience involving negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling data, performing analysis of data, writing correspondence, and completing mathematical or legal tasks.

                                                           OR

Six months of general office, retail, food service, construction trades, or similar experience including data entry, record filing and maintenance, multi-line phone use, general computer skills and email software. General clerical, data processing, technical or administrative experience is defined as  work performing a variety of duties which are clear-cut and typically found in office settings, such as filing, copying, inputting data, general computer skills, and directing telephone calls.

                                                           OR

Six months of experience in the U.S. Armed Forces.

NOTE: 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. 

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 is required prior to hire.

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS.

• Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.  
• Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year.  
• Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.

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 134, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. Or email Trelia.gunter@maryland.gov: Voice 410-767-7416, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347. 

 

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. 

 

Do not submit unsolicited documentation. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

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.