Temporary Program Specialist - LEAP

Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long-term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.

The Program Specialist position determines eligibility for County citizens requesting public assistance through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). The information provided by applicants can be extensive and must be analyzed against the LEAP regulations. There is a high volume of LEAP applicants for this program in a short period of time.

• Assist customers with the completion of applications; advise them of their rights and responsibilities; send appropriate notices to customers for action taken on cases.
• Coordinate and direct clients to obtain necessary information, follow-up with clients and re-evaluate their eligibility status.
• Process changes reported on cases via phone, mail, and personal contact in the State of Colorado's new LEAP system.
• Develop and maintain good communications with clients, community partners and coordinating agencies.
• Determine eligibility and update changes to customer's cases within mandated deadlines in State of Colorado's new LEAP system.
• Make referrals to customers needing additional services such as Food Assistance, Cash Programs, Housing, etc.
• Assist with county LEAP Outreach efforts, including attending community events to promote LEAP.
• Attend training to maintain/enhance knowledge and professionalism.

• Ability to deliver effective customer service and communicate with a diverse customer base, some of whom may be angry, difficult, and/or distressed customers or employees.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to effectively complete work in a timely manner to meet mandated processing guidelines in a high-volume, high-stress environment.
• Ability to conduct an interactive interview by concurrently conducting verbal interviews and data entering pertinent information into required computer systems.
• Ability to communicate professionally to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, customers, and management.
• Ability to accept and adapt to changes in the work environment, priorities, and program rules and regulations and knowledge of public assistance programs and their specific regulations.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• One (1) year of office, clerical, or customer service experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

• Associate's degree
• Human Services experience
• The ability to speak additional languages is a plus; please indicate this in your application.
• Previous work experience with the LEAP Program.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must also be able to pass pre-employment criminal background checks and post-employment fingerprint checks successfully.

• Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Based on business needs, work hours are Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

• Spends 80% of the time sitting and 20% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Noncriminal%20Justice%20Applicant%20Privacy%20Rights.pdf

* Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.