Family Independence Specialist 9-P11 (FRS) - Cass/St. Joseph

Job Description

This is a repost.  You do not need to submit another application if you previously applied to this posting.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. For more information, please visit  MDHHS Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

The position serves as a resource in the child welfare service spectrum, focusing on identifying resources to strengthen families while improving child safety, permanency, and family well-being. This position involves coordination and communication with child protective services and foster care staff in successfully administering child welfare and benefit assistance services to children and families to remove barriers that would otherwise prevent the family from staying together.

The position is responsible for engaging with families to assess their skills and strengths, and to identify individual barriers to employment and family well-being. The position determines eligibility for public assistance programs, including cash assistance, food assistance, Medicaid, childcare and state emergency relief and makes collaborative referrals to community resources. This position develops strategies to remove those barriers, provide supportive services, and conducts follow-up monitoring and support in self-sufficiency activities to empower individuals and families. The position also develops, implements, and monitors service plans designed to promote independence, self-sufficiency and family well-being. This work is primarily conducted through face-to-face interactions with child welfare staff and families by participating in unit meetings, family team meetings, and home visits.

To assist with barriers to employment, this position refers identified individuals to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) for pre-vocational and disability assessments and Michigan Works! agencies for employment and training programs. This position is responsible for monitoring participants activities to ensure that federal participation rates are met. Responsibilities also include monitoring life events to ensure appropriate adjustments are made to cases and employment
participation requirements as needed. These services are provided to Michigan families in need of temporary assistance.

Position Description
Job Specification


To be considered for this position you must:

• Apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
• Relevant experience and/or education referred to in supplemental questions must be documented in resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
• Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• Attach a cover letter.
• Attach a copy of an official transcript(s).  We accept scanned copies of official transcripts.  We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts.  Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.

Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application being screened out.  See instructions for attaching files here:  Instructions

Required Education and Experience

Education 
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major with at least 30 semester (45 term) credits in one or a combination of the following human services areas:  social work, sociology, psychology, forensic psychology, interdisciplinary studies in social science, education, community development, law enforcement, behavioral science, gerontology, special education, education of the emotionally disturbed, education of the gifted, family ecology, community services, family studies, family and/or child development, counseling psychology, criminal justice, human services, or in a human services-related counseling major.

Experience

Family Independence Specialist 9 
No specific type or amount is required.

Family Independence Specialist 10 
One year of professional experience equivalent to a Family Independence Specialist 9 or Services Specialist 9.

Family Independence Specialist P11 
One year of professional experience equivalent to a Family Independence Specialist 10 or Services Specialist 10.

Alternate Education and Experience

One year of experience classified as a Departmental Analyst functioning as a Project Zero Coordinator and a bachelor's degree in any major may be substituted for the education requirement.

Five years of experience as an Assistance Payments Worker, Migrant Program Worker, and/or a Job Start Worker may be substituted for the education requirement.

Four and half years of Assistance Payments Worker, Migrant Program Worker, or Job Start Worker experience and one year of college may be substituted for the education requirement.

Three years of Assistance Payments Worker, Migrant Program Worker, or Job Start Worker experience and two years of college may be substituted for the education requirement.

One and a half years of Assistance Payments Worker, Migrant Program Worker, or Job Start Worker experience and three years of college may be substituted for the education requirement.

One year of experience as an Assistance Payments Worker, Migrant Program Worker, or a Job Start Worker and a bachelor's degree in any major may be substituted for the education requirement.

Additional Requirements and Information

This position is open to current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) employees and MDHHS employees in lay-off status only.
This posting will fill 3 vacant positions.

The physical location of this position is at the Cass/St. Joseph DHHS Offices. Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate or hybrid work schedule requests for this position may be considered.

Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.  

Employees will be provided computers to perform state work.  Phones may also be provided for necessary communications. If working remotely, employees will be responsible for providing other components of a remote office at their own expense, including:                

        o A secure work location that allows privacy and prevents distractions.
        o A high-speed internet connection of at least 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
        o Suitable lighting, furniture, and utilities.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises. 

YOUR APPLICATION FOR ANY POSITION DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE DEPARTMENT/AGENCY FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.  ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS INTERVIEWED WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS. 

The Department reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Questions related to this position may be directed to Lori Lindsey at [email protected].

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MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.

Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

Benefits

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.  
More details on benefits for our new hires are below: 

 Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems. 
 
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits. 
 
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc. 
 
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions. 
 
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child. 
 
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day. 
 
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums. 
 
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual. 
 
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income. 
 
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view  Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education. 
 
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan. 
 
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs. 
 
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek. 
 
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer. 
 
Updated: 2/28/24

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of MichiganDepartment Health and Human Services - Central Office Address Office of Human Resources
235 S. Grand Ave.
Lansing, Michigan, 48933