Requisition No: 849544 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 60053612

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60053612 

Salary:  41,561.57, in accordance with DCF salary policy 

Posting Closing Date: 04/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is an Internal Agency opportunity.

Only current department employees are eligible to apply

Senior Human Service Program Specialist

Department of Children and Families

THIS IS A STATEWIDE VACANCY – POSITION LOCATION WILL BE DETERMINED BY SELECTED CANDIDATE LOCATION.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.

Under the ESS Program, the Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) is responsible for investigating public assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), D-SNAP (Disaster Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

*The requested information must be disclosed on the State of Florida Candidate Profile. It is not acceptable to write "see resume" on the Candidate Profile (application). *

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be hired for this position.

SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST – 60053612 – ESS OPBI Benefit Recovery Program

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION.

The selected candidate will be required to work at the office location.

Some travel and use of your personal vehicle may be required.

This is classified as a Career Service position, working full-time, 40 hours per week.

Business hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday.

The incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbent may be required to work more than 8 hours per day.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current Florida DCF employee.
• Must have a minimum of two years of Florida DCF ESS experience determining eligiblity for Public Assistance Programs (Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid and Refugee Assistance).
• Must have a minimum of two years of OPBI experience establishing Benefit Recovery overpayment claims.
• A willingness to travel
• A valid state-issued Driver's License

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Experience with problem-solving techniques within a work group.
• Three (3) or more years working in OPBI as an Investigation Specialist (IS) I (previously ESS II) or higher-level position.
• Experience monitoring and/or reviewing cases for accuracy and correct application of Food Assistance, Cash, and/ or Medicaid policy.
• Proficiency using the FLORIDA system and Microsoft Office Suite

SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - ESS Office of Public Benefits Integrity

This is a professional position in the Special Projects unit that reports directly to the Deputy Chief in Benefit Recovery (BR). The incumbent will ensure the job duties and responsibilities are completed in a timely manner and with a high accuracy rate. It is important for the applicant to display a professional attitude and strong work ethic. Duties include assisting in fraud investigations and provides support in the recovery of funds lost due to waste, fraud, or abuse. Incumbent is qualified to have specified personal information exempt from public record inspection per Florida Statute.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is a professional position responsible for monitoring and implementing the Administrative Hearings process for the Benefit Recovery (BR) program to include Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Refugee Assistance, Food Assistance (FA), and other programs required to comply with the federal Administrative Hearing process. This position is also responsible for calculating and creating claims to recover overpayments of public assistance programs: Medicaid, TANF, Refugee Assistance, and FA. Travel may be required, including use of your own personal vehicle, to attend and participate in Administrative Hearings. Assigned duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, and represent the Department's interest in all Fair and Administrative Disqualification Hearings for BR. Act on the behalf of BR in presenting direct evidence related to an Intentional Program Violation, Disqualification or claim during these hearings. Consult with Hearing Officers and clients regarding Department, State, and Federal policies in reference to the overpayment claim amount, payment history, notices, or error type that caused the overpayment.
• Conduct pre-hearing conferences with the client to ensure all aspects of the overpayment claim, policies used to create the claim, and the hearing procedures are explained in detail.
• Review the claim for accuracy and make any required revisions or voids prior to the scheduled hearing or upon receiving Final Orders from the Office of Appeal Hearings.
• Analyze, prepare, and distribute required evidence to the Office of Appeal Hearings and the overpaid household/client within the allotted time period.
• Researches, reviews, analyzes, and maintains an up-to-date knowledge of the various public assistance program policies, including pertinent statutes, Florida Administrative Rules, and Federal regulations. Provide consultation to management staff in interpreting and implementing statewide BR hearings policy and procedures.
• Perform special work assignments and other related duties as assigned.     

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of public assistance program objectives and policies; problem-solving techniques; training principles and practices; goal setting techniques; arithmetic. 
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 
• Skill in operating a personal computer and computer software.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews; accurately prepare and maintain records and reports; work with a diverse range of people; adapt to change; deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations; compose documents or correspondence involving technical information;  review and understand complex policies; interpret and apply public assistance policies; prioritize and meet deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively orally and in writing; apply ethical business practices.

Important Application Process Information:

INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY. 
ONLY CURRENT DCF EMPLOYEES WILL BE ELIGIBLE.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION/ CANDIDATE PROFILE AND RESUME.

**It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history information. **

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• All previous DCF positions must be listed separately. Include the total years in each position along with all required duties.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. 
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

The Department of Children and Families is a tobacco-free environment.

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENING Candidates applying to positions in the Economic Self Sufficiency Program will have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former public assistance case information before completing the hiring process.

 If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.