Purpose:
The Social Assistance Employability Development Case Officer is responsible for assisting and supporting clients through employment measures, in secondary education, or in certain training programs, while delivering client-centered support services to individuals and families in need of financial and social assistance. This role involves assessing eligibility, developing case plans, connecting clients with community resources, and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. The Case Officer plays a key role in promoting self-sufficiency and improving client outcomes through respectful, equitable, and confidential service delivery.
Roles & Responsibilities
Conduct client assessments and develop support plans
- Provide information and guidance to applicants regarding program eligibility, application procedures, and decision timelines.
- Conduct client interviews to determine educational background, employment experience, and career goals to develop an action plan for training, upgrading, or labor market entry, assess financial need, and determine eligibility in accordance with program policies.
- Verify and process application documentation, maintain accurate records in physical, digital, and database systems.
- Coordinates client referral to the appropriate agency for testing and support services, including community resources, based on individual client needs.
- Collaborate with federal, provincial, and community partners to resolve complex issues and ensure service alignment.
- Support clients in developing and following individualized support plans, including educational and employment goals.
- Monitor and evaluate client benefit status, prepare ad hoc reports, and advise on administrative or procedural issues.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new programs, funding applications, workshops, and participation incentives.
- Keeps the General Manager informed of operational concerns and participates in continuous service improvement initiatives.
Deliver program services and maintain compliance
- Schedule and conduct re-evaluations to assess changes in clients’ financial or personal circumstances and determine continued eligibility.
- Monitor and verify monthly client allowances to ensure accuracy and compliance with benefit categories.
- Investigate client compliance and manage follow-up processes related to program or educational participation.
- Compile data and produce regular reports and statistics on program activity and client outcomes.
- Monitor compliance with program requirements, including withholding or cancelling benefits when necessary.
- Investigate individual cases and issue decisions on applications or evaluations in line with policy.
- Advise clients on issue resolution options and support the preparation of appeal letters when requested.
- Represent the program in appeal proceedings and present case files to the appeal body.
- Compile and report financial data, establish recovery accounts as needed, and coordinate with Finance.
- Manage and oversee weekly and monthly benefit issuance processes, including cheque printing, verification, cancellation, and reissuance through the database system.
- Ensure all financial transactions are accurate, authorized, and properly reported to accounting, and work with accounting for recovery payments.
- Provides the Chiefs with monthly cheque run lists for verification, signed by all authorized parties as required for financial authorization.
- Maintain database integrity by entering and consolidating data, validating records for tax reporting, and supporting the release of annual tax slips.
- Coordinate with Information Management to update and align database functions with program requirements.
- Generate regular financial reports and statistics on social assistance activity and ensure adequate funding availability for benefit disbursement.
- Issue recovery letters for overpayments and maintain archived client records as needed.
- Ensures proper information from Legal authorities, organizations, and businesses, including but not limited to Ministère de Travail, Emploi et Solidarité Sociale agents on changes to the Provincial Social Assistance Program, medical organizations, and local employers, is obtained, provided, and processed.
- Submit recommendations for policy or procedural improvements based on case review findings and program trends.
- Maintains contact with educators to verify client progress and assess the need for additional program supports.
- Identify barriers to employment and assist clients in developing job readiness skills and job search skills.
- Research employment trends, practices in other Native communities, and upcoming employment opportunities, and inform clients.
- Maintain regular communication with the General Manager regarding complex cases, file transfers, and program updates.
- Provide support and coverage for the other KSAP Case Officers as needed.
Coordinates Employment Programs
- Meets with and advocates the use of the employment programs with potential employers.
- Maintains contact with employers to verify client progress and process payments for employment programs.
- Oversees client progress in the program and assesses the need for additional program supports.
- Works with Human Resources to establish Special Measure employees through the administrative process.
- Works with partnering groups and organizations to assist in the development of funding applications for new initiatives and projects.
- Maintains awareness of programs offered through other agencies and organizations to recipients.
Provide advocacy and coordinate community supports
- Determines clients’ need for enhanced case support, working in collaboration with Tewatonhnhi’sáktha, Kahnawake Shako’tiiatakehnhas Community Services, Kahnawake Peacekeepers, rehabilitation centers, Housing Unit, Office of the KKR Department, Hydro Quebec, or others as needed.
- Assesses and identifies the need for an administrator to act as trustee for recipients who require assistance in managing funds.
- Works with third parties to ensure financial support is properly administered.
- Processes benefit category for educational Programs’ participation.
- Works to implement new employment, training, or educational projects and initiatives.
- Develops and implements professional and personal development workshops and participation incentives.
- Collaborates with other service providers in guiding the clients through the individualized plan as required.
