Human Services Assistant III

097-King And Queen Dept Of Social Services; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

King and Queen Department of Social Services in Virginia seeks a Human Services Assistant III to serve as the initial contact for clients seeking benefits and services. This role screens applicants, explains programs, and assists with applications within a team-oriented environment.

The position emphasizes accuracy, documentation, and collaboration, requiring the ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate appointments, and support various program areas.

Qualifications

• Customer service principles and ability to assess client needs.
• Strong written and spoken English; clear communications.
• Proficiency with office procedures, word processing, spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Screens clients for benefits and services.
• Interviews clients and explains programs and policies.
• Assists clients with applications and initial screening.
• Maintains logs and documentation of client interactions.
• Schedules and coordinates appointments with staff and clients.
• Generates and processes necessary program information and referrals.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma + social services coursework

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Graphics programs

Job description

Hiring Range: $28,480 to $35,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Looking for a flexible workplace where you can make a real difference every day?

Come join the team at the King and Queen Department of Social Services! We are currently seeking a customer-service-oriented Human Services Assistant III to support our wonderful community.

King and Queen County is a breathtakingly beautiful, rural gem established in 1691. As Virginia's longest county, our 72 miles of scenic roads are filled with historic charm, stunning farmland, and a tight-knit community of about 7,000 residents.

If you love the peace of the countryside and want to work with a dedicated, team-oriented group of professionals, we want to hear from you.

Title Description-

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.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –

• 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:
• Adult Services/Adult Protective Services:
• Independently manages the Provider program requirements;
• Interviews clients and conducts assessment for emergency needs;
• Manages voucher system and prepares vouchers for ongoing expenditures;
• Facilitates placement of adults in Adult Living Facilities;
• Creates and prepares complex statistical reports;
• Verifies hours and accuracy of time sheets for In-Home Providers;
• Reviews expenditures and researches operational cost effectiveness; and
• Prepares, processes, and reconciles budget for various adult programs.

General Work Tasks (continued) –

• Benefit Programs:
• Attends and testifies at administrative hearings;
• 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.
• Employment Services:
• Helps participant in writing resumes; follows up on referrals to ancillary agencies, in person and in writing;
• Debriefs participants when "fired" from Work Net classes;
• Locates resources for clients needing appropriate interview clothing and helps clients in making appropriate clothing choices; and
• Takes participants on educational/career exploration field trips.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Human Services experience or human services degree is desirable.

Experience working in benefit programs in a local department of social services.

Special Requirements:

All applicants are subject to a DMV driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, and CPS and criminal history search. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks(State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; other checks requested by the hiring authority. Employee must be willing to work in community emergency response capacity in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This position is open until filled.