U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration https://www.onetonline.org 12m 2,986 #insights
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
Sample of reported job titles:
Business Employment Specialist, Case Manager, Eligibility Examiner, Eligibility Specialist, Housing Specialist, Medicaid Analyst, Program Eligibility Specialist, Work Force Advisor, Workforce Services Representative (WSR)
Tasks
Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants’ legal rights.
Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
Keep records of assigned cases, and prepare required reports.
Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
Answer applicants’ questions about benefits and claim procedures.
Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their applications.
Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
Check with employers or other references to verify answers and obtain further information.
Compute and authorize amounts of assistance for programs, such as grants, monetary payments, and food stamps.
Schedule benefits claimants for adjudication interviews to address questions of eligibility.
Refer applicants to job openings or to interviews with other staff, in accordance with administrative guidelines or office procedures.
Investigate claimants for the possibility of fraud or abuse.
Monitor the payments of benefits throughout the duration of a claim.
Prepare applications and forms for applicants for such purposes as school enrollment, employment, and medical services.
Provide applicants with assistance in completing application forms, such as those for job referrals or unemployment compensation claims.
Conduct annual, interim, and special housing reviews and home visits to ensure conformance to regulations.
Provide social workers with pertinent information gathered during applicant interviews.
Technology Skills
Analytical or scientific software — Client assessment software
Calendar and scheduling software — Resource and patient management system RPMS scheduling software
Data base reporting software — Resource and patient management system RPMS patient registration software
- Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access
Data compression software — Corel WinZip
Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics
Internet browser software — Web browser software
Medical software — GE Healthcare Centricity EMR; Medicaid management information system MMIS
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software — Google Meet
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technologies are requirements frequently included in employer job postings.
Work Activities
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
Record information about legal matters.
Compile data or documentation.
Calculate financial data.
Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
Administer personnel recruitment or hiring activities.
Investigate personal characteristics or activities of individuals.
Monitor financial information.
Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
Assist individuals with paperwork.
Provide information to coworkers.
Work Context
Telephone — 84% responded “Every day.”
Contact With Others — 83% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 77% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Sitting — 66% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Electronic Mail — 85% responded “Every day.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 63% responded “Every day.”
Deal With External Customers — 60% responded “Extremely important.”
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 79% responded “Every day.”
Letters and Memos — 64% responded “Every day.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 49% responded “Very important results.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 53% responded “Very important.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 47% responded “Some freedom.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 49% responded “Extremely important.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 48% responded “Some freedom.”
Time Pressure — 44% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 40% responded “Extremely important.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 44% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 51% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 34% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 38% responded “Every day.”
Physical Proximity — 38% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 37% responded “Important.”
Frequency of Conflict Situations — 48% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate’s degree.
- Related Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
- SVP Range
- 1-2 years of preparation (6.0 to < 7.0)
Training & Credentials
- State training
- Local training
- Certifications
- Apprenticeships
- Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov
external site to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.
Skills
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
Abilities
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Interests
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2021)
- $22.80 hourly, $47,420 annual
- State wages
- Local wages
- Employment (2020)
- 145,400 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030)
Slower than average (1% to 5%)- Projected job openings (2020-2030)
- 13,700
- State trends
- Top industries (2020)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
external site and 2020-2030 employment projections
external site.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
- Local job openings
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer:
Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries.
Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Actively assisted with the O*NET data collection, helping to identify occupational experts who can be surveyed about their work in the occupation.
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