Program Compliance Specialist HUMAN SERVICE SPECIALIST III

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We provide economic support, preventive services, and care for children and adults, aiming to deliver services quickly to meet the needs of those we serve. At DHS, we foster a culture of bold innovation to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

This position is limited to current Department of Human Services (DHS) employees working within the Family Investment Administration.

About the role

The Human Service Specialist III serves as the Division’s Program Compliance Specialist by proactively monitoring compliance in critical areas, increasing payment accuracy, and assisting in the development of corrective action plans to address deficiencies in the Family Investment Division. This includes investigating Family Investment case actions, providing policy and procedural clarification, and delivering comprehensive findings to upper-level staff.

In collaboration with the Program Integrity Administrator, this position is responsible for increasing the Division’s efficiency, accuracy, and overall compliance with DHS mandates to avoid federal sanctions. The Program Compliance Specialist provides expert knowledge and assists in planning and implementing new or revised procedures, practices, and processes for the SNAP E&T Program and all other Family Investment Programs.

DHS employees may be designated as emergency essential personnel. The Governor can require state employees to respond during emergencies, and failure to report for duty may result in disciplinary action.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, evaluates, and participates in Family Investment staff duties, including:
  • Participating in and monitoring the completion of appeals
  • Monitoring payment accuracy and the accuracy and timeliness of overpayments
  • Providing local responses to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) concerning appeals
  • Participating in and monitoring fraud investigations and providing local responses to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) concerning cases involving fraud
  • Monitoring and tracking mandatory ABAWD customers and those referred to participate in the local SNAP E&T program
  • Providing support to the local department in audits
• Initiates and maintains open and effective communication with FIA staff, external customers, and outside agencies to convey and collect information, gain cooperation, and ensure consistency in operations and policy interpretations.
• Researches current trends in processes, procedures, and legislation related to FIA programs to assess impact.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of new or revised procedures, practices, and processes.

Requirements

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered.

• Experience: Six years of experience, including:
  • Two years in the administration of a human services program or conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations
  • An additional four years of professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations
• Substitution Options:
  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in the administration of a human services program or conducting studies and analyses may substitute for the required experience.
  • Graduate-level education in a human services-related field at an accredited college or university may substitute at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to six years of the required experience.
  • U.S. Armed Forces military experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical, and Office Services field may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience using Google Suite Applications and the Eligibility & Enrollment (E&E) system.
• One year of professional experience participating in fraud investigations and appeals, and conducting case reviews to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local mandates.
• One year of experience conducting internal quality assurance audits or case reviews for FIA programs.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans offered at a low cost
• Leave:
  • Personal Leave: Six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date)
  • Annual Leave: Ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year
  • Sick Leave: Fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year
  • Parental Leave: Up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child
• Holidays: At least twelve (12) holidays per year
• Pension: State employees earn credits toward a retirement pension
• Positions may be eligible for telework