“Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $59,897 to $66,754, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.”
Government Assistance Eligibility Specialist I (GAES I), Grade 17
Multiple Positions
WHO WE ARE
Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for delivering the County’s public health and human services, which meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults, and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, it is the largest County Department.
As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS), is recruiting for Government Assistance Eligibility Specialist I (GAES I) to work in the units and programs outlined below.
The GAES I will work at the entry-developmental level in determining eligibility of County residents for various programs that assist individuals, families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities needing financial and/or medical assistance and other support services.
The GAES I will receive formal and on-the-job training in income assistance eligibility procedures, while performing duties of limited scope intended to introduce them to the field. They receive assignments of gradually increasing complexity until they become fully proficient in all aspects of eligibility determination and interpersonal relations.
The GAES I works with applicants, their families, and/or their representatives; professional social service and related staff within the department; State and Federal agencies, other counties, community social service agencies, and service providers to obtain or verify information, resolve problems, coordinate actions regarding eligibility determinations, or refer people and cases to other service units or agencies.
After successfully completing several training cohorts, a GAES I will work under the direct supervision of a unit supervisor. Work is subject to specific County, State, and Federal guidelines and regulations.
Incumbents work in an environment that values quality customer service and treats all populations with respect and dignity. Positions may require flexible work hours to provide service at various locations throughout Montgomery County and through teleworking. These positions will also be required to represent HHS in enrollment events or community outreach events to inform the public about the availability of HHS programs. This could require an adjusted work week to cover weekends or evenings.
Program Areas:
Family Investment/Income Supports: determines initial and ongoing eligibility for Income Support Programs, including Temporary Cash Assistance, Temporary Disability Assistance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps), Public Assistance to Adults, and Medical Assistance; conduct and complete initial interviews, process cases, authorize benefits, make necessary referrals to other services and programs and maintain an ongoing caseload to meet all established requirements.
Child Care Subsidy (Working Parents Assistance) Program:determines initial and ongoing eligibility for the Working Parents’ Assistance Program.
Maryland Health Connection and County Health Services: determines initial and ongoing eligibility for various healthcare programs.
Medical Assistance (Long-term Care):covers a portion of the cost of care in long-term care facilities, for aged, blind, or disabled persons whose available income is insufficient to meet the entire cost. Other medical services are also covered. The position requires an understanding of financial statements.
The selected candidates must successfully complete a medical evaluation and drug/alcohol screen prior to appointment.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience: None.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidates with experience in human services eligibility determination and in direct customer service functions, such as conducting interviews, addressing, and resolving customer issues, are strongly desired.
Preferred Criteria:
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
