Human Services Assistant - Non-Merit

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore County Government invites applications for a Non-Merit Human Services Assistant in Towson. This role supports the Bureau of Finance and Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services, performing eligibility reviews, data collection, and client referrals.

The position emphasizes interviewing, documentation, and collaboration with clients and professionals to ensure accurate records and successful program placement.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; experience in counseling or intake/referral may substitute for education up to two years
• Ability to obtain information from clients and complete case records
• Ability to communicate clearly and establish effective working relationships

Responsibilities

• Interviews clients and reviews applications to determine eligibility for financial aid or services
• Explains program policies and procedures to clients
• Assists clients in obtaining required information and contacts agencies to verify data
• Assists in placing clients into other programs
• Regularly reviews clients’ activities with program professionals
• Maintains detailed case records and compiles periodic reports
• Assist walk-in clients and answer telephone inquiries
• Conduct home visits to verify information
• Perform other related duties as required

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Basic math

Writing skills

Verbal communication

Regulatory understanding

Record keeping

Computer data entry

Decision making

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

Associate in Arts degree in social or behavioral science

Tools

Computer usage

Job description

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Bureau of Finance and Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Interviews clients and reviews applications and other forms to determine eligibility for financial aid or other services according to established guidelines.
• Explains program policies and procedures to clients.
• Assists clients and others in obtaining supportive information as required and contact other agencies to verify information.
• Assists in placing in clients into other programs.
• Regularly reviews clients' activities with professionals in program.
• Maintains detailed records of cases and assembles these into periodic reports.

Examples of Other Duties

• Assist walk-in clients and answer telephone inquiries.
• Conduct home visits to obtain or verify information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate in arts degree in a social or behavioral science.

(Experience in individual, group, or family counseling or in intake and referral work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years for the required education.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Basic knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Skills in performing simple mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplications, and division.
• Writing skills necessary to complete simple application forms and reports.
• Ability to obtain information from clients to complete information into case records.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand Federal, State and local regulations, program policies and procedures, to apply them to specific clients' situations.
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate records and to prepare reports.
• Ability to use a computer to enter, update or retrieve information.
• Frequent significant decision- and problem- solving abilities.
• Ability to work as team member collaborating with parents and community resources.
• Ability to supervise and monitor children under the age of five years old at all times and ensure a safe environment.
• Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or crisis situation.
• Frequent driving for home visits sometimes in outlying areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, and procedures relating to assigned programs.
• Knowledge of community services and other agency programs for referral.
• Knowledge of County and department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relation to the performance of duties.
• Skills in obtaining information from clients and applying program requirements to determine eligibility.
• Skills in maintaining accurate records and preparing summary reports.
• Ability to assist human service professionals with case management.
• Ability to perform basic assessment of client needs for referral purposes.
• Ability to recognize clients in crisis and take appropriate action.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
• Frequent significant decision- and problem- solving abilities.
• Ability to work as team member collaborating with parents and community resources.
• Ability to supervise and monitor children under the age of five years old at all times and ensure a safe environment.
• Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or crisis situation.
• Frequent driving for home visits sometimes in outlying areas.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education

Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Proof of Degree Equivalency

Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Human Services Assistant - Non-Merit
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

These positions are essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other restricted physical activity.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.