Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services • King and Queen Courthouse, AL

2d • $28,480 - $35,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves as the specialist level within the Human Services Assistant occupational group. Employees act as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and services, screening them accordingly. The Human Services Assistant III is distinguished by its role as a screener and the first point of contact for clients.

King and Queen County is seeking a customer-service-oriented individual to support the community. The county is described as a beautiful, rural gem established in 1691, with approximately 7,000 residents. The department is looking for someone who loves the peace of the countryside and wants to work with a dedicated, team-oriented group of professionals.

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
• Working knowledge of individual differences in ability, personality, and interests
• Working knowledge of learning and motivation
• Working knowledge of 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

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 (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Interviews clients and conducts assessment for emergency needs (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Manages voucher system and prepares vouchers for ongoing expenditures (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Facilitates placement of adults in Adult Living Facilities (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Creates and prepares complex statistical reports (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Verifies hours and accuracy of time sheets for In-Home Providers (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Reviews expenditures and researches operational cost effectiveness (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Prepares, processes, and reconciles budget for various adult programs (Adult Services/Adult Protective Services)
• Attends and testifies at administrative hearings (Benefit Programs)
• Prepares periodic, special and other reports for statistics (Benefit Programs)
• Provides assistance in the orientation/training of new staff (Benefit Programs)
• Conducts adoption searches via court records, library, agency files, Internet, City directory, and makes initial contact if a match is found (Foster Care)
• Assists with subsidy billings and payments (Foster Care)
• Prepares a variety of financial, statistical forms and reports, case documentation and court reports (Foster Care)
• Assists in conducting supervised visitation (Foster Care)
• Coordinates special event programs such as Toys for Tots, Annual Art Sale, Bags & Bears and unit events (Foster Care)
• Helps participant in writing resumes; follows up on referrals to ancillary agencies, in person and in writing (Employment Services)
• Debriefs participants when "fired" from Work Net classes (Employment Services)
• Locates resources for clients needing appropriate interview clothing and helps clients in making appropriate clothing choices (Employment Services)
• Takes participants on educational/career exploration field trips (Employment Services)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED