Human Services Assistant III

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services seeks a Human Services Assistant III to serve as the first point of contact for clients seeking benefits and services. The role screens applicants, explains programs, assists with applications, and coordinates referrals to services.

A strong emphasis on accurate documentation and client communication is essential. The position covers responsibilities across multiple program areas, including adult services, foster care, employment services, and benefit

Qualifications

• High school diploma with post-secondary coursework in social services or related fields preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for client-facing interactions.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize workload and manage records.

Responsibilities

• Screens clients for benefits and services; conducts interviews and explains programs, policies, and procedures.
• Assists clients with applications and processes initial screening of applications.
• Maintains logs of client documentation and coordinates appointments with staff.
• Verifies information and prepares complex reports as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization skills

Interpersonal skills

Interviewing skills

Education

High school diploma with relevant coursework

Tools

Office software

Automated office equipment

Job description

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;
• Debriffs 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.

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.

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, andgrammar; 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 programs. Skill in:operating a variety of automated equipment to include calculator, fax/copier, computer; and the use of computer-driven word processing, spreadsheets, and file maintenance programs. Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively with program participants, plan, organize, and establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public to exchange ideas and coordinate activities; accept direction and follow established procedures; 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, make screening decisions based upon certain criteria.

Preferred Qualifications:

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. Previous work in a social services office or setting.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and a preemployment drug screening. The investigation may include fingerprints (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verifications and references, verification to education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks as 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 the community shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.