Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/or services and screens clients for benefits and services. Assist clients applying for benefits and services; interviews clients and explains programs, services, policies and procedures, assist clients with applications: evaluates approves agency providers; researches information; serves as initial contact for of applicants; interviews applicants for benefits and/or service programs: provides information regarding various programs and benefits. general eligibility requirements, policies and procedures; assist clients with completing applications and performs initial screening of applications; provides information to clients seeking services and directly makes referrals for services researches a variation of databases to obtained and/or verify information needed to process applications; maintains logs of clients documentation received; schedules and coordinates appointments for client to meet with benefit employment or services staff; contacts clients for requested/needed information and responds to routine questions in person, email or by telephone; and analyzes needs and coordinates resources that will support families/clients and generates payments for services when appropriate.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services (including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction).
Considerable knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including 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.
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, coworkers, 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 postdate from records, reports, and other sources using 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 percentages to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Demonstrated ability to make screening decisions based upon specific criteria.
Demonstrated ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, and manuals.
Demonstrated ability to conduct effective interviews both face-to-face and by telephone.
Must be able to meet agency insurance policy standards.
Willingness to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.

Nice To Haves

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.
Relevant work experience in public administrative support work.
Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Work experience interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/or services.
Screen clients for benefits and services.
Assist clients in applying for benefits and services.
Interview clients and explain programs, services, policies, and procedures.
Evaluate and approve agency providers.
Research information using various databases to obtain and/or verify information needed to process applications.
Maintain logs of clients' documentation received.
Schedule and coordinate appointments for clients to meet with benefit, employment, or services staff.
Contact clients for requested/needed information and respond to routine questions in person, email, or by telephone.
Analyze client needs and coordinate resources to support families/clients.
Generate payments for services when appropriate.
Work in a community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.