Cross Systems Specialist

The Cross Systems Specialist (CSS), under the direction and supervision of the ELRC Director, provides support and assistance to all units of the ELRC to ensure that all functions of the agency are accomplished in a timely manner. The functions of this position include, but are not limited to, providing substitute coverage for Child Care Specialist and Fiscal staff functions, assisting the Resource & Referral Unit as needed, assisting with duties at the reception desk, assisting in the completion of Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) referrals, processing incoming and outgoing County transfer cases, tracking appeal hearings scheduled with the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, logging and tracking delinquent co-pays reported by providers, reviewing and processing applications for subsidized child care, working on special projects as designated by agency administration, maintaining a subsidy caseload when deemed necessary. The position may include other duties as assigned.

The Cross Systems Specialist (CSS) will:

• Perform initial eligibility for subsidized child care funding by analyzing applications and supporting documentation submitted by applicants.
• Review client eligibility for subsidized child care funding in CIS, process TANF/SNAP applications and determine eligibility for TANF/SNAP child care funding.
• Contact clients to request any additional documents that are needed to complete an application.
• Enter information into PELICAN Child Care Works timely, accurately and efficiently and will notify families of their eligibility status.
• Follow the policies, procedures and timelines established by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) for determining client eligibility for subsidized child care for TANF or SNAP clients.
• Assist clients in completing an application for TANF/SNAP subsidized child care.
• Maintain timely, appropriate and accurate family records and update family eligibility for subsidy using related documentation, eligibility forms and case comments in each case record.
• Review and process monthly Incoming and outgoing county transfer cases in conjunction with Child Care Specialists, Eligibility Unit Coordinators and the ELRC Assistant Director.
• Monitor incoming calls and emails from providers reporting delinquent co-pays and delinquency resolutions.
• Alert Child Care Specialists of co-pay delinquencies and resolutions.
• Function as a Fiscal Account Technician in the absence of a regular fiscal worker.
• Work with Resource and Referral staff to provide child care Resource and Referral assistance to the general public in person and on the telephone for all residents of Montgomery County.
• Serve as the backup for the Office Manager/Provider Coordinator.
• Assist in the completion of time and attendance records and payroll for the ELRC.
• Assist in completing provider agreements for DHS licensed providers and Relative Providers.
• Complete provider Personal Interviews with Relative Providers as needed.
• Assist with updating all ELRC and OCDEL forms on Sharepoint and assist in keeping the forms current.
• Be responsible for the upkeep of the ELRC website including the staff directory, current resources, current forms, current events, etc.
• Manage special projects or assist in managing special projects as defined by DHS and/or the ELRC administration. All special projects will be completed within the timeframes prescribed by OCDEL and/or the ELRC Director.
• Coordinate with Child Care Specialists and BHA staff to enter client appeals into ECM. Use ECM to track scheduled hearings, retrieve hearing related notices, email notices and import hearing notices and related documents to OnBase.
• Work with Keystone STARS Coordinator and program staff as needed to assist early learning providers in improving the quality of their programs and increasing their STAR levels.
• Work with Keystone STARS early learning providers to assist in obtaining any resources and services needed to improve the quality of their programs.
• Assist in preparing presentations for meetings with external stakeholders such as the Local Leadership Council and the Health & Safety Regional Task Force.
• Assemble presentations for the Local Leadership Council and the Health & Safety Regional Task Force.
• Assist in coordinating ELRC Quarterly Family Newsletters, Monthly Provider Newsletters.
• Monitor the ELRC main email account continuously throughout the work day and forward incoming emails in a timely manner to the appropriate recipients.
• Post ELRC events on the HHS shared calendar and submit creative requests and social media posts to the HHS Communication team following established processes.
• Review Capacity Compliance reports from Child Care Works.
• Assist in covering the reception desk when needed and work cooperatively with OSP's, Resource & Referral staff and the Office Manager/Provider Coordinator
• Maintain a professional and business-like manner when communicating with the public, other agencies, business partners, community partners, co-workers and other County departments.
• Contribute to a positive office environment by practicing a professional and business-like behavior and through positive day-to-day interaction with co-workers.
• Be flexible and accept additional tasks willingly.
• Possess the ability to work independently, collaboratively, in small groups and as part of a larger office team.
• Be required to follow office and County policies regarding attendance and promptness.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the ELRC Director.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A qualified applicant should possess the following:

• BA/BS degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, or other related field OR relevant experience performing all duties of the position.
• Knowledge and understanding of the DHS Regulation 55 PA code Chapter 3042 Subsidized Child Care Eligibility and Chapter 168 TANF Eligibility.
• Ability to exhibit sensitivity to cultural/economic/educational differences in client and provider populations and communicate appropriately with these populations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the various funding sources used to pay for subsidized child care.
• Knowledge and understanding of the application process for subsidized child care funding, TANF/SNAP eligibility criteria and basic eligibility requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills and time management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of PELICAN CCW, CIS, the PD Registry, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power Point, Internet Explorer, Google, Google Maps and search engines.
• Flexibility, ability to handle multiple tasks and ability to adapt to new responsibilities.
• Ability to complete all assigned special tasks in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
• Telephone and in-person interviewing skills.
• High degree of accuracy in record keeping.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to work with a variety of staff, clients and early learning providers with different learning styles, abilities and capabilities.
• This position requires a work schedule for five days in office.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.