Experience

Middlesex County Board of Social Services

• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Retired

  • Jan 1981 - Present

• Human Services Specialist 3 Bilingual in Spanish & English

  • Jan 1981 - Jun 2013

  Recently retired from Social Services, last position was in the NJ SNAP program (formerly known as Food Stamps). Primary duties were reviewing applications and determining eligibility based on household size, income and shelter expenses. I translated documents and acted as interpreter for Spanish-speaking applicants. I also acted as Unit Supervisor in their absence. Over the years, I also worked in other programs within the agency. These include TANF (formerly AFDC), Medicaid (specifically the Family Care program), Home Energy Assistance, Child Support and Paternity, and the Claims Department (calculated overpayments for TANF, Food Stamp and Medicaid cases). I am taking some time to enjoy my retirement, but may consider part-time employment in the future.



Retired and enjoying Life.

• HSS 3

  • Jan 1981 - Jun 2013

  Following graduation from Douglass College (Rutgers University) with a degree in Spanish, I obtained employment with the Middlesex County Board of Social Services in January 1981 as an Income Maintenance Technician Bilingual and later Income Maintenance Worker. That title eventually changed to Human Services Specialist 2. From 1981 to 2001, I worked in various departments, which is not unusual for a bilingual worker as there are times when certain departments are shortstaffed with employees with that particular skill. It was a re-education for me as well - I had the opportunity to deal with clients from almost every Spanish speaking country, as well as with my Latino coworkers who graciously corrected my vocabulary when I needed it. And I learned some interesting new words and phrases. Working with the public is not a job for everyone. It requires a lot of patience, courtesy, common sense and, especially in my line of work, compassion. Near the end of 2001, I was promoted to Human Services Specialist 3 Bilingual, and was transferred to the Child Support/ Investigative Department. My favorite job - I had a reputation for my detective skills and my job was to locate absent parents for TANF (public assistance) cases. I had a high success rate and kept our Court Liaison busy filing the court documents once I received a valid mailing address for the absent parent. In early 2006 I was transferred to the Claims Department where I calculated overpayments for TANF and Food Stamp cases and occasionally for Housing assistance. In early 2009 I began training for the Food Stamp (now SNAP) program and worked there until my retirement on June1, 2013. Now I am enjoying retirement and providing part time care for my dad (my mom died in July 2009). I'm gradually fixing up my home, but eventually I would like to leave NJ for somewhere that is cheaper, prettier, cleaner and less crowded.