Human Service Worker III

Fairfax County; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County is seeking a Senior Eligibility Worker within the Public Assistance & Employment Services Division. The role includes telework eligibility up to 60% after 30 days and managing complex cases to determine Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and related benefits in Virginia.

The position emphasizes policy interpretation, thorough interviews, and accurate documentation while collaborating with supervisors and staff. A bachelor’s degree and experience in public assistance are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus two years of human services or related professional work experience.
• Must pass criminal background check and Child protective services check.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, SNAP, TANF and related public assistance programs in Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Assess medical and financial needs to determine client eligibility.
• Conduct in-depth client interviews to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Explain and interpret complex federal, state, and local policies to clients and providers.
• Gather information to establish eligibility and prepare supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate case records and generate reports using state IT systems.

Skills

Effective communication

Customer service

Organizational skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SPIDeR

VaCMS

Open Text

MMIS

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Outlook)

Job description

Positions are assigned to the Public Assistance & Employment Services Division within the department. Telework eligible up to 60% of the work week after first 30 days of employment. This position serves as a senior-level eligibility worker and manages complex cases. Performs comprehensive assessment of medical and financial needs to ensure the clients' needs are met. Conducts in-depth phone interviews to determine initial and ongoing eligibility of clients for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs. Applies, explains, and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, the public, and/or other interested parties. Works with clients to assist with gathering information necessary to establish eligibility. Works in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines, high caseloads and competing priorities. Performs needs assessments to aid in making appropriate referrals to other service areas as needed. Serves as a policy expert to less experienced staff. Identifies gaps in service delivery and participates in activities designed to improve overall efficiency for the division. Assists supervisor with duties that include training, mentoring, and reviewing the work of less experienced staff. Provides unit coverage as needed on behalf of the supervisor. Uses complex state and local IT systems as well as Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) in daily work to document, obtain, and verify information, and to generate reports.

Note: This job announcement will be used to fill multiple full-time Human Service Worker III positions across the PAES office locations. Hybrid telework schedule is optional. The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.

• Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• Conducts in-depth interviews of clients to determine and reassess eligibility of clients for financial, publicly supported medical services and/or medical public assistance programs;
• Performs client needs assessment to aid in making appropriate referrals to other services;
• Works with clients to assist with gathering of information necessary to establish eligibility;
• Compiles and maintains data and documents and may prepare written narratives to support eligibility determinations;
• Ensures timely processing of applications to meet client needs and program policy mandates;
• Authorizes public assistance (e.g., medical aid, financial assistance, food stamps) based on client circumstances and public assistance program requirements;
• Uses various forms of automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, to generate reports, and to authorize benefits and services for clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• Assists clients in obtaining the resources necessary to meet emergency needs;
• Assists the supervisor with duties that may include training, coaching, and reviewing the work of less experienced staff;
• Serves as policy expert in one or more program areas, providing guidance, direction, and information to other staff;
• Assist in the development of service strategies.

• Knowledge of social, economic, health and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment;
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies governing public assistance and welfare reform;
• Ability to read, interpret and apply complex program policies and procedures;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficient to meet deadlines;
• Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records;
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines, computer systems, high volume of client contact, high caseloads, and competing priorities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers and other human service providers;
• Ability to work effectively with people under stress and those from various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality of client information;
• Ability to provide excellent customer service;
• Ability to work in a team environment;
• Ability to maintain flexibility.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload;

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for 'Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to'

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree plus two years of human services or related professional work experience.
• Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child protective services check.
• This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 2-5 years of current experience determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs in the state of Virginia or another state.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs and the ability to apply them correctly.
• Demonstrated experience training and reviewing the work of less experienced staff determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs.
• Experience and proficiency in working in Systems Partnering In a Demographic Repository (SPIDeR), Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS), Open Text, and Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Concise oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to access and evaluate data to ensure that established deadlines are met.
• Ability to prioritize multiple and varied tasks.
• Proven skills in providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and to think independently.
• Exhibits strong leadership skills
• Ability to provide a positive and professional example for the team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to perform repetitive hand, arm, wrist and shoulder movements. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314.