Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

1d•$32,752

About The Position

The Human Services Assistant III is a specialist-level position in the Human Services Assistant occupational group. The role provides administrative and clerical support and customer services to Family Services Specialists serving Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Foster Care. Duties include transcribing dictated material; using computer systems and databases to search, verify, and update client information; preparing correspondence, forms, reports, case documentation, and court reports; maintaining, organizing, researching, and purging case records; responding to calls and inquiries; and explaining program services, policies, and procedures to clients and members of the public. The position also provides direct administrative support to Family Services Specialists, documents client contact, proofreads others’ work, assists with routine hardware or software setup, and coordinates the agency’s annual Holiday with Santa event. The work requires discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information, effective communication and customer service, organization of records and workload, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The position may require shelter duty during emergencies or disasters and requires a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license meeting agency standards.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with 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 providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Considerable knowledge of office practices and procedures, agency policies and procedures, personal computers and office or agency software, customer service, English usage, and administrative and clerical systems.
Working knowledge of basic mathematics, accounting and bookkeeping, grammar and dictionary use, and laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the subject area.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with program participants; work independently and as a team member; organize and prioritize workload; follow direction and established procedures; and maintain professional working relationships.
Ability to analyze and manipulate data, prepare reports, maintain complex records, perform mathematical computations, interpret policies and instructions, provide guidance, and make independent work-processing decisions.
Skill 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 and a driving record that meets agency standards.
Applicants may be subject to criminal history, Central Registry, driving record, fingerprint, local agency, employment, education, credit, reference, and other background checks, as well as pre-employment drug screening. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory results.
Ability to report for shelter duty during emergencies or disasters may be required.

Nice To Haves

Current or previous experience in a local social services agency.
Experience with DSS computer systems such as OASIS, Spider, and VACMS.
Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements, and policies governing local, state, and federal social assistance and housing programs, and of available community resources.

Responsibilities

Provide clerical and administrative support to Family Services Specialists in Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Foster Care.
Transcribe dictated tapes and provide typing, form preparation, file retrieval, and other administrative support.
Search, research, verify, enter, and update client information using computer systems and databases, including OASIS.
Prepare and mail correspondence, verification letters, forms, memos, reports, financial and statistical materials, case documentation, and court reports.
Set up, label, maintain, research, and purge case files and records; document client contacts in appropriate records.
Answer incoming calls and respond to client inquiries by phone and email; provide information and guidance about services, policies, and procedures.
Conduct business with clients, employees, other departments, professionals, and the public; assess situations and determine an appropriate course of action.
Proofread the work of others and set up hardware or load software under controlled parameters.
Plan, organize, manage, and prioritize workload and schedule; coordinate activities and maintain working relationships with clients, coworkers, professionals, and the public.
Coordinate the agency’s annual Holiday with Santa event for agency clients.
Operate office equipment and computer-driven word-processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and file-maintenance programs.
Conduct effective interviews in person and by telephone; make screening decisions using specified criteria.
May report for shelter duty during emergencies or disasters.