Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Services Assistant III is a specialist-level position providing administrative, clerical, and customer service support to Family Services Specialists in Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Foster Care. The role supports client applications, renewals, recertifications, case documentation, and related program services. Duties include transcribing dictated material; using computer systems and databases to search for, verify, and update client information; preparing correspondence and forms; documenting client contacts; organizing, researching, and purging case records; answering calls and inquiries; and explaining program services, policies, and procedures. The position also proofreads work, prepares financial and statistical forms and reports, case documentation, and court reports, and enters information into OASIS. It coordinates the agency’s annual Holiday with Santa event for clients and performs other assigned duties. The role requires knowledge of office practices, agency procedures, relevant program requirements and community resources, and the ability to communicate effectively, manage records and data, prioritize work, conduct interviews, and maintain professional working relationships. A valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license is required. The position may require shelter duty during emergencies or disasters. Applicants may be subject to background checks and pre-employment screening; employment offers are contingent on satisfactory results.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented by post-secondary coursework in office or business administration, accounting, computer science, or a related field, and clerical or administrative experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Current or previous experience in a local social services agency.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with program participants and others.
Considerable knowledge of office practices and procedures, agency policies and procedures relevant to the subject area, and personal computer and office or agency software.
Working knowledge of basic math, accounting and bookkeeping; English, grammar, and dictionary use; and laws, rules, and regulations related to the subject area.
Ability to work independently and as a team member; manage and prioritize workload; follow direction and established procedures; maintain complex records; analyze and organize data; prepare reports; perform mathematical computations; interpret policies and documents; and provide guidance to others.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships, maintain harmonious public relations, and use interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills when working with clients, professionals, and employees.
Skill in operating automated office equipment, including a calculator, fax/copier, and computer-driven word-processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and file-maintenance programs.
Skilled in operating a motor vehicle.
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license with a driving record that meets the agency standard.
Applicants may be subject to criminal history, central registry, driving record, fingerprint, employment, reference, education, and other requested checks, as well as a pre-employment drug screen; employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory results.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DSS computer systems such as OASIS, Spider, or VACMS.
Post-secondary coursework in office or business administration, accounting, computer science, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and clerical support to Family Services Specialists in Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Foster Care.
Transcribe dictated tapes and provide typing, transcription, file-pulling, and form-creation support.
Use computer systems and databases to search for initial applications, renewals, and recertifications, and to update or verify client information.
Prepare and mail correspondence, verification letters, forms, reports, and other documents.
Document client contacts and maintain, research, organize, set up, label, and purge case records.
Answer incoming calls and respond to inquiries; provide information and guidance to clients, employees, other departments, and the public.
Explain and gather information about program services, policies, and procedures.
Proofread the work of others and compose routine, non-routine, sensitive, and confidential correspondence.
Prepare financial and statistical forms and reports, case documentation, and court reports.
Enter information into OASIS and use relevant agency systems and databases.
Coordinate the agency’s annual Holiday with Santa event for clients and perform other assigned duties.
Plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule workload; coordinate activities and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, coworkers, and the public.
Conduct effective interviews in person and by telephone; make screening decisions based on specified criteria.
Operate a motor vehicle and, when required, report for shelter duty during emergencies or disasters.