Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Milford, VA

About The Position

Human Services Assistant III is the specialist level in the Human Services Assistant occupational group. Employees serve as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits or services, screen clients for eligibility, and provide information and application assistance. The role differs from Human Services Assistant II by serving as a screener and the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/or services. Depending on program assignment, the position may support Adult Services/Adult Protective Services, Benefit Programs, Foster Care, or Employment Services. Tasks may include managing provider requirements and vouchers, preparing reports and budgets, assisting with adoption searches and subsidy payments, supporting supervised visitation, helping participants prepare resumes, and locating resources for employment-related needs. The position requires knowledge of customer service, English, administrative and clerical procedures, human behavior, mathematics and research methods, assigned-program eligibility requirements, and community resources. Employees use office equipment and computer applications, communicate and interview effectively, organize work, make screening decisions based on criteria, and coordinate with clients, professionals, coworkers, and the public. The stated education and experience qualification is a high school diploma supplemented by relevant post-secondary coursework and relevant public administrative support work experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with post-secondary coursework in social work, human services, gerontology, social or behavioral sciences, business, or a related field, and relevant public administrative support work experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of customer and personal service principles, English language structure and composition, and administrative and clerical procedures and systems.
Working knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences, learning and motivation, mathematics and research methods, assigned-program eligibility requirements, and community resources.
Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements, and policies governing local, state, and federal social, assistance, and housing programs.
Skill operating automated office equipment, including a calculator and fax/copier, and using computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and file-maintenance programs.
Ability to communicate effectively with program participants; organize and prioritize work; establish and maintain working relationships; accept direction and follow procedures; counsel others; and conduct effective interviews in person and by telephone.
Ability to organize and prepare information from records and other sources in appropriate formats; resolve conflicts; create forms, charts, and graphs; perform arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages; interpret bar graphs and documents; and make screening decisions based on specific criteria.

Responsibilities

Serve as the initial point of contact for applicants and clients seeking benefits or services.
Screen clients and applications for benefits and services.
Interview clients and applicants and explain programs, services, policies, procedures, and general eligibility requirements.
Assist clients with completing applications and obtain or verify information needed to process them.
Provide information and make direct referrals to services; analyze needs and coordinate resources for families and clients.
Evaluate and approve agency providers where applicable.
Maintain logs of client documentation, schedule and coordinate appointments, and contact clients for requested information or to answer routine questions.
Research databases and other sources to obtain or verify information.
Generate payments for services when appropriate.
For Adult Services/Adult Protective Services assignments: manage provider program requirements and voucher systems; interview clients and assess emergency needs; facilitate adult placements; prepare statistical reports; verify provider timesheets; review expenditures; and prepare, process, and reconcile program budgets.
For Benefit Programs assignments: attend and testify at administrative hearings, prepare statistical and other reports, and assist with new-staff orientation and training.
For Foster Care assignments: conduct adoption searches and make initial contact when a match is found; assist with subsidy billings and payments; prepare financial, statistical, case, and court documentation; assist with supervised visitation; and coordinate special events.
For Employment Services assignments: help participants write resumes, follow up on referrals, debrief participants dismissed from Work Net classes, locate interview clothing resources and advise on appropriate choices, and accompany participants on educational or career exploration field trips.