Caseworker (Employment & Income Support)

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**The Role**:
**Duties/Responsibilities**:
Determines clients’ initial and ongoing financial eligibility/ineligibility based on established legislation/criteria and notifies clients regarding same. Informs clients regarding documentation requirements, next steps, and answers questions regarding eligibility.
Schedules clients for appointments or delegates scheduling to support staff.
Assesses, determines needs, and issues discretionary benefits for disability support (ODSP) clients and non-social assistance recipients with extraordinary needs. Coordinates requests with ODSP office, service providers, and vendors.
Authorizes benefits and interim assistance based on social benefits tribunal orders.
Uses the “quality of life framework” to facilitate/support clients to develop individual employment plans and outcome plans to assist in accessing needed resources and meeting Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP participation requirements. Meets with clients ongoing regarding same. Informs/instructs clients in employment planning, and explains career planning, customized training, and job search strategies to clients with varying levels of understanding and barriers to employment. Assesses client needs, skills, and barriers to employment and initiates and supports clients through referrals to internal and local community supports. Contacts third parties to make referrals, advocate, and access services for clients. Shares program information and concerns regarding client needs with community outreach workers.
Supports clients to follow through on participation and education requirements; verifies information through third parties; and imposes sanctions for non-compliance.
Works with other community/government agencies to obtain/verify information and determine eligibility for underage clients.
Reviews priority files prompted by provincial database to ensure clients are in receipt of correct OW assistance. Maintains client information in databases. Reviews system-calculated eligibility to ensure accuracy and reviews computer-generated reports. Performs manual calculations as required. Analyzes third party reports against client activity in databases to calculate eligibility.
Calculates and documents changes on active and closed files; authorizes pay adjustments and updates database to fix overpayments and arrears. Notifies clients regarding outcomes, responds to inquiries, and advises regarding appeal processes. Maintains electronic and hard copy client files.
Provides and receives information to/from other municipalities regarding fraud referrals, file transfers, and OW overpayments incurred while in Waterloo Region, as requested.
Participates in the internal review process. Attends court when subpoenaed to present evidence. Problem solves/advocates for exceptional needs and circumstances that do not qualify for OW.
Calculates, approves, and issues OW assistance, and issues mandatory and discretionary benefits, based on established guidelines.
Responds to community emergencies, per prescribed role in the departmental emergency response protocol.
Issues funds for emergency assistance and eviction prevention programs.
Provides backup coverage and support to peers, as assigned.
Performs related duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required**:
Knowledge of interviewing techniques, assessment approaches, and casework management, acquired through a university degree or 2-year college diploma in a related field, plus 2 years of related experience (paid or volunteer) in a social services or community setting.
Knowledge of and ability to work according to established policies and procedures, legislation, and federal and provincial programs (e.g., Ontario Works, privacy, Service Canada, human rights, immigration, Ontario Disability Support Program, employment standards, Canada Pension Plan, employment insurance benefits, WSIB, Education Act). Knowledge of local resources and employment assistance available through delivery agents and make referrals.
Knowledge of job search skills and strategies to develop employment and outcome plans and make employment referrals with clients. Ability to identify clients' skills and barriers to employment and successfully match clients with programs to support employment.
Ability to maintain confidential