Program Trainer/Specialist

Program Trainer Specialist

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation. Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

This posting is being used to recruit for one specific Program Trainer Specialist (PTS) positions in Public Assistance:

Family Cash Lead Worker: We seek a dynamic individual who excels at collaboration and is ready to influence policy and procedural changes. If you are experienced in cash processing, childcare assistance, SNAP and emergency assistance programs and are eager to learn and grow, this is the role for you. You will significantly contribute by working alongside lead workers and trainers, providing mentorship to staff as they master individual case management.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree AND 1 year of experience with a Public Assistance agency

OR

Associate's degree AND 3 years of experience with a Public Assistance agency

OR

High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) AND 5 years of experience with a Public Assistance agency

*One year of experience with a Minnesota Public Assistance agency within the past five years. Jobs may include financial worker or eligibility specialist determining eligibility for programs like medical assistance, SNAP, cash, childcare, or emergency programs.

Preferred skills beyond minimum qualifications:

• Experience working with customers or clients in a public sector, human services, education / training, or financial industry.
• Experience training or mentoring others.
• Experience facilitating and / or developing training in group or individual settings.
• Experience conducting detailed case reviews to ensure compliance with policy and procedures.
• Experience assisting in standardizing case review practices and / or identify training needs and gaps.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Demonstrates a commitment to increase cultural diversity County wide and actively supports the County's diversity initiatives and works to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities
2. Train existing employees using both in-person and remote classroom training and hands on models.
3. Assist in supervising a public assistance unit by assigning work and providing training and advice to other financial workers on procedures, policies and programs; evaluating probationary employee performance and providing input on performance appraisals; acting as a central resource person for internal and external customers and resolving problems concerning eligibility, benefit amounts or access to community resources; or performing other duties as assigned.
4. Quality assurance: Review work of Financial Assistance Specialist staff to ensure conformity to regulations and procedures including case reviews, audits, and ongoing training based on findings from case reviews and audits.
5. Resolve discrepancies in case records including errors, and problems resulting from miscommunication, changes in policies, or implementation of new procedures.
6. Plan, design, and implement new programs, legal mandates, and agency initiatives.
7. Coach staff on difficult case situations or actions.
8. Provide both on-the-job and topical training for experienced financial workers on procedures and program guidelines.
9. Manage complex and sensitive cases including prepare cases for appeals, attend appeal hearings, and document the actions taken by the agency regarding public assistance eligibility. May work with the County Attorney's office to investigate cases referred for disqualification, gather evidence and identify witnesses, childcare disqualification cases, and client complaint calls/resolution.
10. Process overpayments and correct program errors.
11. Provide back-up caseload coverage for absent workers or vacant positions within unit to ensure workload is adequately managed.
12. Direct work unit activities in the supervisor's absence.
13. Maintain detailed knowledge of the current requirements of multiple public assistance programs through meetings, training sessions to include developing and maintaining cultural and diversity awareness, and the review of appropriate public assistance literature.
14. Prepare special reports as necessary.
15. Respond to public inquiries about public assistance programs and eligibility criteria.
16. Submit policy questions to DHS
17. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, staff, and co-workers.
• Creates a respectful workplace that promotes equity and addresses the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
• Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, department, and County associates in a professional manner.
• Assist staff with identification of client's complex life situations and social service needs; helps identify appropriate resources for referral of clients to other social service agencies; and assists when needed in diffusing volatile situations with clients.
• Knowledge of community resources and many other programs including employment services.
• Determine clients' economic, social, and health-related issues. Provide services by assessing and determining financial assistance program eligibility.
• Working knowledge of computer software and information systems.
• Knowledge of various training techniques and styles.
• Must possess a high level of analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions.
• Ability to advise people in crisis and make decisions which lead to crisis resolution.
• Ability to prioritize work according to program requirements, client, and organizational needs.
• Ability to interpret social behavior.
• Ability to assess and evaluate staff performance.
• Ability to handle staff conflict and personnel issues in sensitive situations.
• Ability to manage and coordinate large projects.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations utilizing advanced public speaking methods.
• Ability to read and comprehend complex technical information.

Physical Requirements Employees are expected to transport a county-issued laptop and related work materials between their remote and onsite work locations. Occasional lifting or carrying of up to 20 pounds may be required; however, this is typically limited to a laptop, bag, and other work-related materials and is not a primary function of the position. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, a laptop, printer, calculator, and telephone.

Location & Schedule This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Northern Service Center in West St Paul, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
• Eleven paid holidays each year.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions.
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications.
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration.
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring.