Job Description

General Summary

Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community. The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is seeking a qualified candidate to join our team for the position of Benefit Programs Supervisor who is highly motivated and who strives for success by demonstrating Charlottesville\'s Core Values of Leadership, Trust, Creativity, Respect, and Excellence. This position may be eligible for full or partial telework, certain in-person meetings, training, and other in-person job tasks will be required.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $60,611.20 - $79,664.00 Annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City\'s retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the \'benefits\' tab on this posting, or visit

. * The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City\'s Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.
As a member of the supervisory team, the Benefit Program Supervisor collaborates with other supervisors and the division manager to ensure that staff, the community, and other human service providers\' work together to provide a holistic program of services. The Benefit Programs Supervisor performs difficult professional and responsible administrative work in supervising the activities of Benefit Programs Specialists engaged in determining eligibility for financial and social services for individuals and families with children under government programs; providing vocational and employment related services in order to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency. Requires high levels of knowledge related to complex laws, policies and procedures governing public assistance and of the philosophy, objectives, practices and techniques of social work and counseling.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Division manager. Supervision is exercised over an assigned team of Benefit Programs Specialists.

Primarily and most frequently the work done here is performed as leader with broad functional areas and more expertise and strategic focus.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Leads a team of employees in planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring and coordinating activities, which includes but is not limited to providing day-to-day guidance, direction, and mentoring.
• Participates in team activities such as problem solving, scheduling work, goal setting and evaluating team effectiveness and client satisfaction.
• Trains staff in complex program laws, policies and procedures, techniques of interviewing and social work.
• Interviews and hires new staff, evaluates performance and administers disciplinary action in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures.
• Establishes performance standards for the unit\'s work and evaluates program performance, including but not limited to communicating expectations, monitoring performance and accomplishments, and overall goals and objectives.
• Establishes methods and procedures to ensure compliance with laws, policies, and procedures.
• Recommends or initiates revision to programs.
• Oversees the maintenance of confidential and complex records.
• Participates in the planning and development of departmental programs, policies and procedures and enforces same, including but not limited to effective coordination of services provided to clients, identifies service delivery gaps and takes action to improve operations.
• Participates in the work of local, regional and state committees.
• Gathers pertinent data and evaluates criteria; prepares reports and documents; keeps abreast of and develops local resources; attends meetings of local and state organizations as representative of the department in explaining programs, services and regulations, coordinates and participates in community educational programs.
• Knows and uses all applicable computer programs to monitor changes in client/case information, uses personal computer for word processing, statistical applications and reports.
• Participates in conferences and training to update knowledge, stay abreast of policies and regulations and professional development.
• Monitors expenditures in local programs, purchase of services; recommends spending adjustments, as needed.
• Counsels and advises workers, personally participating in more difficult cases. This also includes but is not limited to meetings with individual staff to discuss specific case problems and monitor casework.
• Confers and consults with superiors regarding the overall regulation and implementation of the programs supervised.
• Responds to citizen and other organization inquiries concerning department/unit services; provides education and coordinates programs with related community agencies.
• Serves on crisis team in the event of disaster, shelter management and other tasks related to crises management.
• Backs up division head in the latter\'s absence.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Education, Experience and Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in a human services field such as social work, psychology, sociology, or related field; OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required essential responsibilities and duties.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Benefit Programs , one (1) of which must have been in a supervisory/administrative capacity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one (1) year of experience in adult benefits such as, Medicaid - Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) covered groups and/or experience with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) preferred.
• Leadership and supervision experience preferred.
• Possession of a valid driver\'s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia preferred.

Skills: Thorough knowledge of laws, policies and procedures of all financial assistance programs; thorough knowledge of the philosophy, objectives, practices and techniques of social work and counseling, thorough knowledge of department rules and procedures, and of agency and other service resources in the community; general knowledge of supervisory principles and techniques, general knowledge of the principles of public administration and personnel administration, of investigative methods used in case reviews, and of human behavior and current social problems; ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinates and to delegate authority; ability to diagnose and resolve problems effectively; ability to communicate complex ideas effectively both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, staff and the public; ability to train subordinates; ability to analyze complex data, draw conclusions and prepare clear and concise reports; ability to perform mathematical computations, knowledge of applicable computer systems, ability to use personal computer for case activity and management, word processing, statistical applications and reports.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Standard work environment.

A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search. Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may be conducted if applicable.

Please note: The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is unable to hire any applicant, intern, or volunteer if the criminal record check reveals a conviction for, or arrest awaiting final disposition of a barrier crime as set forth in \xc2\xa7 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia. Please click here for the list of barrier crimes:

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