Human Services Assistant III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Chatham, VA

3d•$28,480 - $40,000

About The Position

The Human Services Assistant III is a specialist-level role in the Human Services Assistant occupational group. The employee serves as an initial point of contact for clients and applicants seeking benefits or services, screens clients for eligibility, explains programs and procedures, assists with applications, and provides information and referrals. The position researches databases to obtain or verify application information, maintains documentation logs, coordinates appointments, follows up with clients, answers routine questions, and helps coordinate resources and payments when appropriate. The role may include interviewing clients and assessing emergency needs, preparing reports and statistics, and assisting with the orientation and training of new staff. Foster care-related duties may include conducting adoption searches and initial outreach when a match is found; assisting with subsidy billings and payments; preparing financial, statistical, case, and court documentation; assisting with supervised visitation; and coordinating special events. The employee must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter during a disaster or emergency and must have a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Applicants may be subject to background and other pre-employment checks, with employment offers contingent on satisfactory results.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with post-secondary coursework in social work, human services, gerontology, a social or behavioral science, business, or a related field, and relevant work experience in public administrative support; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of customer and personal service principles, English language and grammar, and administrative and clerical procedures and systems.
Working knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences, learning and motivation, mathematics and research methods, assigned-program eligibility requirements, and available community resources.
Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements, and policies governing local, state, and federal social, assistance, and housing programs.
Skill operating automated office equipment, including a calculator and fax/copier, and computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and file-maintenance programs.
Ability to communicate effectively with program participants; plan, organize, and prioritize work; establish and maintain working relationships; accept direction and follow procedures; counsel others; organize and post data from records and other sources; and resolve conflicts.
Ability to create forms, charts, and graphs; perform arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages; interpret bar graphs; make screening decisions using specific criteria; read and interpret documents; and conduct effective in-person and telephone interviews.
Willingness to work in a community emergency shelter in the event of a disaster or emergency.
Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
Applicants may be subject to criminal history, Central Registry, DMV driving record, drug-screening, fingerprint, local agency, employment, reference, education, credit, and other checks as applicable. Offers are contingent on satisfactory results.
Applications must be submitted electronically through the website; mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes are not accepted.
Applications must include complete work history, including periods of unemployment if applicable.

Responsibilities

Screen clients for benefits and services.
Interview clients and applicants; explain programs, services, policies, procedures, and general eligibility requirements.
Assist clients with completing applications and conduct initial application screening.
Evaluate and approve agency providers.
Research databases and other information sources to obtain or verify information needed to process applications.
Provide information to clients seeking services and make direct service referrals.
Maintain logs of client documentation received.
Schedule and coordinate appointments with benefit, employment, or services staff.
Contact clients for requested or needed information and respond to routine questions in person, by email, or by telephone.
Analyze client needs, coordinate resources to support families and clients, and generate payments for services when appropriate.
Interview clients and assess emergency needs.
Prepare periodic, special, statistical, and other reports.
Assist with orienting and training new staff.
Conduct adoption searches using court records, libraries, agency files, the Internet, and City directories, and make initial contact when a match is found.
Assist with foster care subsidy billings and payments.
Prepare financial and statistical forms and reports, case documentation, and court reports.
Assist with supervised visitation.
Coordinate special event programs and unit events.