Child Care Client Services Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

We help job seekers and career changers prepare for and advance in careers with a focus on sustainable, high-growth, high-demand industries. Our committed and well-trained workforce professionals deliver comprehensive workforce solutions at integrated career centers, sector-focused centers and community, and partner sites.

Job Title Summary

Workforce Solutions Child Care provides financial assistance to eligible low-income families for child care services. Workforce Solutions Child Care also provides the public with information about choosing quality child care and assists families to locate other community resources as needed. The program also works to improve the quality of child care in the region by providing training and training resources to early childhood programs.

The Client Services Specialist determines eligibility for families requesting services. The Client Services Specialist assesses the family’s child care needs and follows current eligibility guidelines to enroll the family in child care services. This position is responsible for all paperwork, data entry, and file management of assigned cases. The Client Services Specialist must be able to perform the job duties with a positive attitude and serve current and prospective clients in a professional manner. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function listed below satisfactorily.

Essential Job Functions

• Accept and coordinate referrals for child care.
• Accurately determine eligibility of families for service and maintain appropriate eligibility documentation.
• Provide information relative to quality child care to assist parents in making informed choices of child care arrangements.
• Enter client information into the automated system.
• Accurately communicate program information to the parent, educate parents about their rights and responsibilities, respond to parent complaints, and assure that the needs of parents and children are met.
• Track and process client redeterminations.
• Terminate child care services as needed.
• Maintain a high level of client satisfaction with conflict resolution, advocacy, and exemplary customer service practices.
• Enroll eligible children for services.
• Promote and ensure parental compliance with terms of the Personal Responsibility Agreement involving sanctions as warranted.
• Ensure Parental Choice.
• Authorize payments to eligible CCAS providers with appropriate documentation.
• Assess parent share of costs accurately.
• Maintain adequate documentation in each client file to support changes, manage intake, and referrals for special direct child care programs and initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of current eligibility guidelines, funding guidelines, and departmental policies; apply guidelines and policies to individual cases.
• Communicate the waiting list process to clients.
• Maintain a productive work environment.
• Notify your supervisor of any real or perceived problems.
• Ensure confidentiality of clients, potential clients, children, and co-workers.
• Focus on self-growth and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that clients of all races, religions, family backgrounds and cultures are treated with respect and consideration.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships.
• Arrive at work, on time, ready to work scheduled hours.
• Must be aware of the legal and professional responsibilities about reporting suspected child abuse and neglect by parents, staff members, and others, in accordance with the provisions of Federal, State, or local law.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• Refer suspected fraud or misuse of funds to immediate supervisor or other management...
• Ensure that any on-the-job accidents are reported immediately and followed-up with appropriate forms.
• Ensure work time is submitted accurately and timely in payroll system.
• Comply with Quality Assurance staff’s deadlines and instructions for case file corrections.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as specified by management.
• Work effectively and efficiently in a deadline driven atmosphere.
• Communicate positively with parents, primary caregivers, and child care providers.
• Work independently and cooperatively, using good time management skills and flexibility.
• Use all basic office equipment in an efficient and effective manner.
• Make accurate math calculations.
• Keep work area clean and well maintained.

• Bachelor’s degree with course work in child development, early childhood education or closely related field OR High School diploma / GED with a minimum of three years work experience in a Workforce Solutions Child Care position or similar customer service position working with low-income families.
• Previous eligibility determination experience helpful.
• Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) helpful.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and management, both orally and in writing using professional business language, while paying close attention to spelling and grammar.
• Ability to balance a variety of duties, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, other team members, and management.
• Must have experience working in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to understand and carry out instruction and procedures with normal supervision.
• Available for a light amount of night and weekend work.
• Ability and desire to work with a diverse population and low-income individuals required.
• Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the “Drug Free”: Agency Policy
• Must be able to pass regular criminal history checks.
• Must possess ability to provide reliable transportation capable of regional travel. 
• Must possess and maintain valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required.  Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law.  MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.

Physical Demands

• Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, standing, walking, or riding in vehicle for extended periods of time, or other duties assigned .
• Employee must be able to lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• The physical requirements in an office environment may require lifting boxes of supplies or files, equipment, and occasional adjustment of office furniture.

Work Environment

• Possess ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances within the region.
• Noise level could be moderate to loud in work environment.
• Ability to work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.
• Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management.
• Working from home could be a requirement under extraordinary circumstances as established by management.

Travel Requirements

• Light to normal travel – occasional ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area. 
• Must be able to travel by air as needed to attend training, conferences, and related activities.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Equus Workforce Solutions is a leading provider of workforce development services in North America. With a dedicated and passionate team, Equus puts the industry’s best practices to work by focusing on the development, design, and delivery of demand-driven workforce solutions.

When you join Equus, you can expect extensive learning opportunities and networking programs. But most of all you can expect to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

At Equus we are strengthened by diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. Equus Workforce Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or reprisal or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.