Human Services Assistant III

State of Virginia • King & Queen, VA

76d • $28,480

About The Position

King and Queen Department of Social Services is seeking a Human Services Assistant III that is committed to providing excellent customer service to our citizens. This position represents the specialist level in the occupational group for Human Services Assistants. Employees serve as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/or services and screens clients for benefits and services. The role is distinguished from Human Services Assistant II by serving as a screener and the initial point of contact for the clients seeking benefits and/or services.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
• Knowledge of structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Working knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation
• Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements and policies of Local, State, and Federal social, assistance and housing programs
• Skill in operating a variety of automated office equipment
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with program participants
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize own work schedule
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public
• Ability to accept direction and follow established procedures
• Ability to counsel others and organize, and post date, from records, reports and other sources using the appropriate format
• Ability to exhibit solid interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution
• Ability to create forms, charts, and graphs
• Ability to perform basic mathematical operations and interpret documents

Nice To Haves

• Human Services experience or human services degree is desirable
• Experience working in benefit programs in a local department of social services

Responsibilities

• Screens clients for benefits and services
• Interviews clients and explains programs, services, policies and procedures
• Assists clients with applications
• Evaluates and approves agency providers
• Researches information
• Serves as initial point of contact for applicants
• Interviews applicants for benefits and/or service programs
• Provides information regarding various programs and benefits, general eligibility requirements, policies and procedures
• Assists clients with completing applications and performs initial screening of applications
• Provides information to clients seeking services and directly makes referrals for services
• Researches a variety of databases to obtain and/or verify information needed to process applications
• Maintains logs of client documentation received
• Schedules and coordinates appointments for clients to meet with benefit, employment or services staff
• Contacts clients for requested/needed information and responds to routine questions in person, e-mail or by telephone
• Analyzes needs and coordinates resources that will support families/clients and generates payment for services when appropriate
• Independently manages the Provider program requirements
• Interviews clients and conducts assessment for emergency needs
• Manages voucher system and prepares vouchers for ongoing expenditures
• Facilitates placement of adults in Adult Living Facilities
• Creates and prepares complex statistical reports
• Verifies hours and accuracy of time sheets for In-Home Providers
• Reviews expenditures and researches operational cost effectiveness
• Prepares, processes, and reconciles budget for various adult programs
• Attends and testifies at administrative hearings
• Prepares periodic, special and other reports for statistics
• Provides assistance in the orientation/training of new staff
• Conducts adoption searches via court records, library, agency files, Internet, City directory, and makes initial contact if a match is found
• Assists with subsidy billings and payments
• Prepares a variety of financial, statistical forms and reports, case documentation and court reports
• Assists in conducting supervised visitation
• Coordinates special event programs such as Toys for Tots, Annual Art Sale, Bags & Bears and unit events
• Helps participant in writing resumes; follows up on referrals to ancillary agencies, in person and in writing
• Debriefs participants when 'fired' from Work Net classes
• Locates resources for clients needing appropriate interview clothing and helps clients in making appropriate clothing choices
• Takes participants on educational/career exploration field trips

Benefits

• Flexible work environment
• Opportunity to work in a rural setting
• Meaningful work helping people

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees