Human Services Assistant III - CSA/IV-E Unit

Virginia Department of Social Services•Martinsville, VA

9d•$28,480 - $52,093

About The Position

Human Services Assistant III is the specialist level in the Human Services Assistant occupational group. Employees serve as an initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits or services and screen clients for eligibility. The position interviews clients and applicants, explains programs and procedures, helps complete applications, researches information, makes referrals, coordinates appointments and resources, maintains documentation logs, and responds to routine inquiries. Depending on assignment, work may also include provider-program administration, assessments for emergency needs, voucher and budget processing, reports, hearings, foster care and adoption support, supervised visitation, or employment-services assistance.

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, plus relevant public administrative support work experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of customer and personal services, English language structure and usage, 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 community resources.
Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements, and policies concerning 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; organize and prioritize work; maintain working relationships; follow direction and procedures; counsel others; compile and format information from records and other sources; use interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills; create forms, charts, and graphs; perform basic arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages; interpret bar graphs and documents; make screening decisions using specified criteria; and conduct effective in-person and telephone interviews.
Must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Finalist must submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal-history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a Central Registry search. Applicants may also be subject to other background checks and pre-employment drug screening; employment offers depend on satisfactory results.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Screen clients for benefits and services and conduct initial application screening.
Interview clients and applicants; explain programs, services, policies, procedures, and general eligibility requirements.
Assist clients with applications and provide information or referrals for services.
Evaluate and approve agency providers.
Research databases and other sources to obtain or verify information needed to process applications.
Maintain logs of client documentation received.
Schedule and coordinate client appointments with benefits, 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 and family needs, coordinate supportive resources, and generate payments for services when appropriate.
For Adult Services/Adult Protective Services assignments: manage provider-program requirements, assess emergency needs, manage vouchers, facilitate adult placements, prepare statistical reports, verify in-home provider timesheets, review expenditures, and prepare, process, and reconcile program budgets.
For Benefit Programs assignments: attend and testify at administrative hearings, prepare statistical reports, and assist with orientation or training of new staff.
For Foster Care assignments: conduct adoption searches and initial contact when matches are found; assist with subsidy billings and payments; prepare financial and statistical forms, reports, case documentation, and court reports; assist with supervised visitation; and coordinate special events.
For Employment Services assignments: assist participants with resumes, follow up on referrals, debrief participants dismissed from Work Net classes, locate interview clothing resources and help participants choose clothing, and accompany participants on educational or career-exploration field trips.