Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Halifax, VA

1d•$28,480 - $52,093

About The Position

Human Services Assistant III is the specialist level in the Human Services Assistant occupational group. The role serves as an initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits or services, screens clients and applications, explains programs and eligibility requirements, assists with applications, provides information and referrals, researches and verifies information, and coordinates appointments and resources. The specific duties may vary by program assignment. In Adult Services and Adult Protective Services, the role manages provider program requirements, assesses emergency needs, manages vouchers, supports adult placements, verifies provider timesheets, prepares statistical reports, and processes and reconciles program budgets. Benefit Programs assignments may include attending and testifying at administrative hearings, preparing reports, and helping orient or train new staff. Foster Care assignments may include adoption searches, subsidy billing and payments, preparing financial and case reports, assisting with supervised visitation, and coordinating events. Employment Services assignments may include resume support, referral follow-up, employment clothing resources, participant debriefings, and educational or career exploration field trips. The position requires customer service, administrative, research, interviewing, communication, organization, basic mathematical, and computer skills. Candidates should have a high school diploma supplemented by relevant post-secondary coursework and relevant public administrative support 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, plus relevant work experience in public administrative support; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of customer and personal service principles and processes, 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 available 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 computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and file-maintenance programs.
Ability to communicate effectively with program participants; plan, organize, and prioritize work; establish and maintain working relationships; accept direction and follow procedures; counsel others; organize and prepare information from records and other sources in appropriate formats; and use interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to create forms, charts, and graphs; perform arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages; draw and interpret bar graphs; make screening decisions using specific criteria; read and interpret documents; and conduct effective face-to-face and telephone interviews.

Responsibilities

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.
Evaluate and approve agency providers.
Research databases and other sources to obtain or verify information needed to process applications.
Serve as the initial point of contact for applicants and clients seeking services.
Provide information and make referrals to services.
Maintain logs of client documentation received.
Schedule and coordinate appointments with benefits, employment, or services staff.
Contact clients to obtain requested or needed information and respond to routine questions in person, by email, or by telephone.
Analyze client needs, coordinate resources to support families and clients, and generate payments for services when appropriate.
For Adult Services or Adult Protective Services assignments, manage provider program requirements, interview clients and assess emergency needs, manage the voucher system, facilitate adult placements, prepare statistical reports, verify in-home provider timesheets, review expenditures, and prepare, process, and reconcile program budgets.
For Benefit Programs assignments, attend and testify at administrative hearings, prepare periodic and special statistical reports, and assist with orientation or training of new staff.
For Foster Care assignments, conduct adoption searches and make initial contact when a match is found, assist with subsidy billings and payments, prepare financial and statistical forms, case documentation and court reports, 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 assist with clothing choices, and accompany participants on educational or career exploration field trips.