The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all.

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for all tracking and compliance for the general welfare specialist (GWS) made to ICW/PTCS clients. The position works directly with the ICW/PTCS minor’s placement to ensure spending meets general welfare criteria. Filing, database management/input and court filings. 

Level I is expected to handle moderately complex work assignments and disseminates accurate information to clients.  Sound judgment and the ability to establish priorities to determine the best methods to accomplish work is expected.  Application of general office fundamentals including operating office equipment, basic math and the ability to follow written and oral instructions is expected.

Level II oversees the Level I position and deals with highly complex and confidential and sensitive matters and is expected to act as a resource to others; work assignments involve creative thinking and the ability to make non-routine decisions.  Interruptions and changing priorities are regular occurrences and tight deadlines create job challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Level I:

1. Responsible for overseeing the general welfare payments for ICW/PTCS minors.
2. Coordinates and gathers documents and receipts from ICW/PTCS minor placement. Reviews documentation to ensure it meets general welfare parameters. Ensures that all funds are accounted for.
3. Creates and manages general welfare filing system and tracking worksheet for each ICW/PTCS minor.
4. Responsible for creating ICW/PTCS GWP monthly receipt tracking form for placement’s use and updates as needed.
5. Complete GWP application for new enrollees and annually for each ICW/PTCS minor.
6. Ensure there is an ICW/PTCS/Puyallup Tribal Children’s Services inventory sheet for each ICW/PTCS minor. Ensures that sheet is updated if the placement changes, annually and when cases close.
7. Complete per capita/GWP memo for each ICW/PTCS minor and submit to ICW/PTCS attorney for GWP order from the court.
8. Manage the monthly ICW/PTCS GWP list.
9. Coordinate with Per Capita and other departments regarding GWP questions and implementation.
10. Answers questions that placements may have or directs them to appropriate department.
11. Provide each placement with GWP guide which provides information as to approved expenses, documentation expectations, tax information and general procedure information.
12. If there are any concerns with how the GWP funds of an ICW/PTCS minor are being used or managed, work closely with the ICW/PTCS Liaison to provide documentation and supporting information to the ICW/PTCS Liaison and or ICW/PTCS Tribal Attorney for the Representative Payee Program referral.
13. Must maintain strict confidentiality. All information is to remain confidential unless authorized by supervisor. This is to include the sharing of information with clients, Tribal employees not in the department, and the community.
14. As directed by supervisor, prepares correspondence, memos, reports and forms from notes for signature and distributes/mails as needed.
15. Assist foster children in planning for future such as developing career paths, training and education needs, job preparedness, obtaining housing, etc.
16. Educates families and youth on developing and maintaining a functioning spending plan, including budget education and payment of household bills.
17. Completes and prepares progress reports for grants, ICW/PTCS Tribal/State Court Liaison, court and Director.
18. Completes ILS assessments.
19. Coordinates, conducts and provides life skills training in the form of classes and/or presentations to foster care youth to clients age 15-21.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.

Level II:

All of the essential duties and responsibilities of Level I, plus:

21. Works closely with minor placement to explain tribal membership benefits and explain the available expenses to him/her.
22. Responsible for preparing court documents and ensuring that documents are filed and processed timely.  
23. Responsible for reviewing level I files, assisting in the management of complex cases, and making recommendations to supervisor for out of policy decisions regarding payments.
24. Must prepare financial report of receipts and expenditures for and on behalf of the minor placement on an annual basis and when requested by ICW/PTCS Liaison for case management purposes.
25. Tracks and records all request for all financial assistance/belongings provided to the child.
26. Tracks gift cards at time of placement and throughout the case in the child’s data base.
27. Coordinates and moves child’s personal belongings with parents, caregivers and foster families, updating inventory lists at each move and/or a minimum of every 12 months.
28. Maintain uploading of court documents including per cap orders and tax documents.
29. Uploads historical information into data base.
30. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Level I has no supervisory responsibilities, may assist with training of other Payees.  Level II will act as a lead worker to Level I Payees. Level II will supervise the Level I employee, including training, assigning cases, and will serve as a resource to others within the department.

                                                 Qualifications and Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Level I:

Must have an Associate’s Degree in a related field and two years of experience in social services; or equivalent combination of education and experience provided there is demonstrated skills, knowledge and ability to perform the essential duties of the position. 

Level II:

Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and two years of experience in social services; or equivalent combination of education and experience, provided there is demonstrated skills, knowledge and ability to perform the essential duties of the position. Must have previous lead worker experience.

Level I and II:

Knowledge of and work experience in child welfare is preferred.  Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word and Excel required. Bookkeeping or accounting experience preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Licenses Or Certificates

Must submit to and be able to pass a criminal background check prior to employment and periodically throughout employment.

Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State Driver’s License and proof of insurance.  Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would prevent an employee from operating a GSA vehicle or from complying with the Puyallup Tribe Vehicle Use Policy.

Other Requirements

Must be willing to attend training for professional development.

Works cooperatively to establish and maintain professional relationships with other Tribal departments that are responsible for sharing highly confidential information.

Works with a variety of highly confidential information and, as a result, handles the information professionally and maintains strict confidentiality at all times.

Report to work on time and maintains consistent daily attendance at work.

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to operate a, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier.
• Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
• Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Requires the ability to drive a GSA passenger motor vehicle. 

Work Environment

• Position is stressful at times due to the sensitive or confidential issues addressed, as well as the number of assignments and deadlines that are required.
• The noise level is usually moderate.
• The physical exertion is low to moderate.
• Work is performed in an office setting and occasionally off site.
• There are frequent contacts and many interruptions during the day.
• Work may be stressful at times due to the sensitive or confidential issues being addressed and the number of deadlines and assignments required.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors.  Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.