Human Services Assistant III

New LHRC External Career Site•Fork Union, VA

10d

About The Position

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services, a team of human services professionals, is currently recruiting for a Human Services Specialist III position in the administrative unit. This position will primarily be responsible for receptionist and other duties at the front desk. Title Description- Human Services Assistant III represents the specialist level in the occupational group for Human Services Assistants. Employees serve as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/ or services and screens clients for benefits and services. Human Services Assistant III is distinguished from Human Services Assistant II by serving as a screener and the initial point of contact for the clients seeking benefits and/or services.

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); structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; and 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; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; mathematics and research methods; and eligibility requirements for the programs assigned; and 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; and the use of computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and file maintenance programs.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively with program participants; plan, organize, and prioritize own work schedule; establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public sufficient to exchange ideas and coordinate activities; accept direction and follow established procedures; counsel others; organize, and post date, from records, reports and other sources using the appropriate format; exhibit solid interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution in working with clients, professionals and employees; create forms, charts, and graphs; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; make screening decisions based upon specific criteria’s; read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, manuals; and 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.
All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, CPS and Criminal History Search. Driving record must meet agency standard.
Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

Prior work experience with a human services agency.
Proficient in Microsoft programs.

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