DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  An incumbent of this class is responsible for performing a variety of administrative support tasks relating to the monitoring, control, and collection of client resources available to the Department of Social Services. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Department of Social Services Attorney in accordance with established policies and procedures. The work involves moderately complex record keeping, program and operations monitoring and reporting functions. This class differs from the Resource Specialist class by virtue of the increased level of independent responsibility for carrying out the work. Supervision of others is not normally a responsibility of this position. Performs related work as required. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Prepares and processes paperwork necessary to record a lien against client assets, including meeting with client where necessary, and filing the lien with the appropriate county clerk’s office;
• Prepares satisfaction and processes discharges of lien upon receipt of payment;
• Evaluates or locates client assets or resources in cases referred to Legal by the Medical Assistance, Temporary Assistance, Food Stamp, or other Services units of the Department of Social Services;
• Composes letters to attorneys, insurance companies, defendants and employers regarding accident cases involving injuries to Temporary Assistance and Medical Assistance applicants/recipients;
• Obtains statements of total assistance or prepares payoff letters as requested;
• Investigates and reports on possible provider or recipient fraud or incorrect granting of assistance, in cases referred to Legal by a worker as a result of Front End Detection or by any other source, using such means as reviewing case records, making collateral contacts, home visits, and meeting with the recipient of assistance;
• Maintains asset records of the agency;
• Uses established departmental procedures and techniques of case monitoring to ensure compliance with all program rules, regulations and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local laws as they relate to initial and continuing eligibility for assistance and services; 
• Reviews documents available in agency’s files and uses computer matches to verify eligibility and/or determine the additional action necessary to verify eligibility;
• Contacts cooperating agencies to verify information relevant to case review/quality control, obtain corroborative written or recorded documentation in cases of possible ineligibility; 
• Appears at administrative or judicial proceedings when required to interpret agency actions;
• Reports findings of investigation, makes recommendations for proper disposition of cases reviewed, i.e., to reduce grant, close case, release grant, refer to law enforcement;
• Prepares required accounting or statistical reporting appropriate to action;
• Provides feedback on validity of decision to the agency to pinpoint causes of error;
• Monitors audit reports to ensure maximization of Federal reimbursement;
• Performs related clerical activities;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of New York State Social Services law provisions related to eligibility and client resources; good knowledge of methods, policies and procedures used in reporting systems; good knowledge of the practices and procedures used in collecting money and in the maintenance, balancing, reconciling and checking of financial records and accounts; ability to perform arithmetical calculations accurately and quickly; ability to file and retrieve records and data accurately and efficiently, ability to provide accurate and timely responses to information requests both orally and in writing; clerical aptitude; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; initiative; tact; resourcefulness; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Associate’s degree and four (4) years experience in the examination, investigation or evaluation of requests for financial entitlements or eligibility in compliance with state and/or federal laws and rules regulating benefits issuance which includes interviewing for evaluative and assessment purposes or substantially similar work.
2. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and eight (8) years experience in the examination, investigation or evaluation of requests for financial entitlements or eligibility in compliance with state and/or federal laws and rules regulating benefits issuance which includes interviewing for evaluative and assessment purposes or substantially similar work.
3. An equivalent combination of training and experience described in a) and b) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

8/02; 3/07; 1/09

Competitive Class