The Department of Human Services (DHS) mission is the safety, health and independence for all Oregonians. We help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity. We protect children who are abused or neglected. We serve seniors and people with disabilities. We help low-income people along the road to self-sufficiency with health coverage, job preparation, childcare and other supports. Our services are delivered in the least restrictive setting and in partnership with communities. We are absolutely committed to ongoing innovation in the delivery of services, and we are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining dedicated employees. DHS is guided by our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Respect, Service Equity, Responsibility, Stewardship and Professionalism.
DHS employs over 7,500 people, in more than 100 locations around the state, and delivers services through and in coordination with many community partners.
This employment opportunity is with the Department of Human Services/Self Sufficiency Programs. There is one, Job Share (Approximately twenty hours per week) position located in Cave Junction. This position is represented by a union.
This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
Benefits include a family health plan and leave accrual.
Duties & Responsibilities
This position operates on the concept of primarily providing benefit transfer and initial assessment and referral to service providers for families not requiring intensive or ongoing active case management. The Family Resource Worker’s focus is in making timely and accurate financial eligibility determinations; referrals to other agencies and an assessment of needed case management services for families
Family Assessment, Determination and Maintenance
Interview participants to obtain information to assess and determine if there is a need for CAF services where possible. Discuss and reinforce the agency’s mission, emphasizing the agency’s services are a temporary solution to stabilize families and the agency’s goal is to help them achieve self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
Makes preliminary assessment of family’s needs and does initial case plan by exploring alternate resources and linking families with ongoing case management and other internal programs (such as JOBS) or community services, as appropriate. Jointly develops an initial case plan with the participant that details the steps that the family will take towards their goals. Issues support service payments and monitors initial plan for participation and follow through.
Reviews the family’s initial application form. Questions family to elicit information to verify and supplement form. Clarifies incomplete or unclear information. Explains rules, regulations, procedures, and responsibilities to family. Tells family of needed documents. Contacts collateral sources, as needed, to verify information.
Applies guidelines to decide eligibility for TANF, ERDC, OHP, Food Stamps, and other CAF programs. Computes amount of benefits and completes narratives and documents necessary to issue benefits to explain reasons for eligibility. Writes narrative report summarizing interview from family and collateral sources, and reasons for case actions.
Mutually determine with the participant the initial services the family needs to start their self-sufficiency plan or to address their issues that do not require ongoing case management. Complete appropriate forms to initiate a case plan and support services needed to address the plan.
Provides support to families who have left program(s) but still have needs that could jeopardize their independence. This includes offering transition services, benefit transfer programs, problem solving, referral to local resources, support services, employment retention services, referral to case manager for ongoing and/or intensive case management and encouragement.
Review updated information from ongoing families receiving benefits through the use of reviews, monthly reports, and other contracts that the agency has. Determine if ongoing eligibility exists and if the family has a need for case management services.
Assist in the development and delivery of workshops and orientations that provide guidance on issues related to participant’s employment and self-sufficiency, exploration of community resources, support job search, and job placement.
Provide assistance in obtaining child support through client interviewing, collection of child support information, and referral to DCS (Department of Child Support).
Provide benefit transfer services in out stationed settings such as schools and community based organizations, if assigned.
Represent the agency, if assigned, in court actions requiring testimony about participants involved in legal actions.
Maintain up-to-date information on-line to provide case payments, food stamps, JOBS information, and medical identification cards.
Professional Relationships
Promote participate self-sufficiency by participating in branch teams and on committees that look for more effective and efficient ways to provide our services.
Support professional collaborative working relationships in work teams by taking an active part in decision making, considering options, demonstrating flexibility, developing alternatives and respecting other’s needs.
Establish and maintain a working relationship with participant families, contractor staff, the general public, community resources, and other agency staff. Participate in community activities and outreach services based on the focus of the Family Resource Worker position.
Provide input to agency staff and community partners, sharing ideas and knowledge that can enhance case planning efforts.
Maintain knowledge of local labor market.
Model professionalism through all interactions as all times and promotes the agency mission.
Promote agency mission in manners that honor diversity.
Professional Development
Continually seek to develop and improve team effectiveness by enhancing communication skills in the areas of giving and receiving constructive feedback, negotiating solutions, personal effectiveness, conflict resolution, and team effectiveness.
Attend education and training modules that encourage professional development and enhance continual learning.
Knowledge of computer systems to gather, compile, and report information as required.
Assist in training and mentoring of co-workers on solutions to difficult situations.
Develop and maintain knowledge of agency programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee’s work is conducted in offices, participants’ homes and other program sites. Work can require travel, including overnight. Employee has contact with a range of people including some exhibiting anger and frustration. Participants could be drug or alcohol-affected and in need of treatment. The employee will be exposed to the need to deal with a range of emotionally charged issues, confronting where necessary.
Job is fast paced with a high volume of client contact, computer data entry, and paperwork.
This position requires working a flexible work schedule as a condition of employment. This is understood to mean that the hours of work may vary from day to day and include evenings and weekends. Work schedule specifics to be determined by the hiring supervisor.
Requires a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.
Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
Your application materials, including your answers to the ‘Supplemental Questions’ will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications and how you meet the desired attributes for the position to which you have applied. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in your application.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of customer, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the customer’s situation.
Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience).
REQUESTED SKILLS
Experience working with a social and/or human services program.
Experience using basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) in a work environment.
Experience responding to a high volume of telephone calls.
Experience communicating, verbal and written, decisions rules, regulations, policies and procedures to clients
Experience prioritizing and processing a high volume of paperwork.
Experience checking documents for accuracy.
Experience utilizing a computer to enter and retrieve data.
Experience determining eligibility for social service programs.
Experience prioritizing workload to meet service delivery time frames.
Experience providing customer service.
Demonstrated compassion and empathy with clients/customers.
Demonstrated conflict resolution with staff and clients/customers
Experience working the public in a helping/supportive capacity.
Applicants that most closely match the minimum qualifications and desired attributes will be invited for an interview
Additional Information
The State of Oregon is now requiring all applications have a valid email address. DHS will Communicate with all applicants by e-mail.
If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the DHS, Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
If you need assistance to participate in the application process, e-mail jean.fauth@state.or.us.
TTY users please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900 and ask the Telecommunications Assistant to connect you to 503-945-5698 (TTY users).
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US!
The Oregon Department of Human Services is committed to affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and workplace diversity.
Core benefitsMedical, vision and dental insuranceComprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for the employee and qualified family members$5,000 in employee basic life insuranceRetirement benefits
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)Employer paid defined benefit and defined contribution programsPaid leaves and other benefits
Sick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per a month with no maximum accumulationVacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal yearTen paid holidays a yearThe state also provides access to an innovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources.
Optional benefits
Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependentsLong-term and short-term disabilityAccidental Death and DismembermentLong-term care (self and eligible family members)Flexible spending accountsOption to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment options.
The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work.
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