DHS CHILD CARE SPECIALIST 2* - 10082024 - 62121

$34,404 - $42,936/Yr

State of Tennessee - Huntsville, TN

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Huntsville, TN

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Child Care Specialist 2 position at the State of Tennessee involves performing professional eligibility determination work for Child Care payment assistance. The role requires interviewing applicants, reviewing documentation, and ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines. The specialist will provide ongoing case management and support to both applicants and Child Care providers, while working under general supervision.

Responsibilities

• Review applications and verification documents to determine eligibility for Child Care payment assistance.
• Ensure compliance with State and Federal guidelines and meet quality and timeliness standards.
• Accurately enter data into eligibility determination systems based on provided documents and information.
• Document all relevant records and actions related to services provided into electronic file retention systems.
• Interview applicants to validate data and gather additional information regarding their circumstances.
• Identify applicant barriers and needs, connecting them to other resources as necessary.
• Provide ongoing case management by completing redeterminations and processing applicant changes.
• Research and resolve complaints and disputes for customers or childcare providers through mediation and problem-solving techniques.
• Provide consistent information on departmental policies, procedures, and regulations to applicants and childcare providers.
• Educate applicants on various Child Care programs and available service options.
• Promote a cohesive team environment by sharing vital case and program information.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions to improve service delivery and solve problems.
• Support the fiscal process by resolving provider payment discrepancies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• One year of full-time experience in professional case management involving children, adults, and/or families or determining eligibility for State or Federal benefit programs.
• Ability to substitute qualifying full-time professional case management experience for required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to substitute one year of additional graduate coursework in social work, human services, education, or psychology for required experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with customer service best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities