Human Services Assistant III

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Chatham (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services is seeking a detail‑oriented applicant to screen clients for benefits, interview applicants, and assist with completing applications. The role requires assessing needs, providing information on programs, and coordinating referrals to services within the agency's guidance.

The successful candidate will maintain client records, schedule appointments, and support disaster/emergency shelter operations when needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with relevant coursework in social work or related field.
• Relevant work experience in public administrative support is acceptable.
• Ability to conduct interviews and assess client needs.

Responsibilities

• Screen clients for benefits and services.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Data gathering

Assessment and counseling

Education

High school diploma

Post-secondary coursework in social work

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Office equipment

Job description

Title Description-

• 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; and
• Analyzes needs and coordinates resources that will support families/clients and generates payment for services when appropriate.
• In addition to the above other illustrative program area assignment/tasks follow:
• Interviews clients and conducts assessment for emergency needs;

General Work Tasks (continued) –

• Prepares periodic, special and other reports for statistics; and
• Provides assistance in the orientation/training of new staff.
• Foster Care:
• Conducts adoption searches via court records, library, agency files, Internet, City directory, and makes initial contact if a match is found;
• Assists with subsidy billings and payments;
• Prepares a variety of financial, statistical forms and reports, case documentation and court reports;
• Assists in conducting supervised visitation; and
• Coordinates special event programs such as Toys for Tots, Annual Art Sale, Bags & Bears and unit events.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge- 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); structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; and 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.

Skills- Skill in: operating a variety of automated office equipment to include calculator, fax/copier; and the use of computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and file maintenance programs.

Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively with program participants; plan, organize, and prioritize own work schedule; establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public sufficient to exchange ideas and coordinate activities; accept direction and follow established procedures; counsel others; organize, and post date, from records, reports and other sources using the appropriate format; exhibit solid interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution in working with clients, professionals and employees; create forms, charts, and graphs; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; make screening decisions based upon specific criteria’s; read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, manuals; and conduct effective interviews both face-to-face and by telephone.

Education and Experience- 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.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to Criminal History Background search; Central Registry search,DMVdriving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police,FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

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

Employee must have a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.