Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services • Fork Union, VA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services is seeking a dedicated Human Services Assistant III who is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of adults, families and children. The Human Services Assistant III is responsible for screening benefits applications and supporting the benefits unit in determining eligibility for benefits programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and other programs. 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)
• Considerable knowledge of 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; 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
• 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

• Prior work experience with a human services agency
• Experience screening applications for benefit programs
• Knowledge of benefit programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF and/or other 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 (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)

Benefits

• Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

What This Job Offers

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