Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services • Bristol, VA

21h • $28,480

About The Position

Human Services Assistant III 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 screens clients for benefits. Human Services Assistant III is distinguished from Human Services Assistant II by serving as a screener and the initial point of contact for the clients seeking benefits.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services (including customer needs assessment, meeting of quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction)
• Considerable knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Considerable knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology
• Working knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; mathematics and research methods
• Working knowledge of eligibility requirements for the programs assigned
• Working knowledge of available community resources
• 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 to include calculator, fax/copier
• Skill in the use of computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and file maintenance programs
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with program participants
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and prioritize own work schedule
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public sufficient to exchange ideas and coordinate activities
• Demonstrated ability to accept direction and follow established procedures
• Demonstrated ability to counsel others
• Demonstrated ability to organize, and post date, from records, reports and other sources using the appropriate format
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit solid interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution in working with clients, professionals and employees
• Demonstrated ability to create forms, charts, and graphs
• Demonstrated ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Demonstrated ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Demonstrated ability to make screening decisions based upon specific criteria’s
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, manuals
• Demonstrated ability to conduct effective interviews both face-to-face and by telephone
• High school diploma supplemented with post-secondary coursework in subjects such as social work, human services, gerontology, or one of the social or behavioral sciences, business or related field, and relevant work experience in public administrative support work OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
• Must be willing and able to work emergency shelter during natural disasters and weather related events

Responsibilities

• Screens clients for benefits
• Serves as initial point of contact for applicants
• Provides information regarding various programs and benefits, general eligibility requirements, policies and procedures
• Assists clients with completing applications and performs initial screening of applications
• 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 staff
• Contacts clients for requested/needed information and responds to routine questions in person, e-mail or by telephone

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree