Social Service Clerk

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory in Renton, WA seeks a Social Service Clerk to serve as the first point of contact for Social Services clients, handling front desk, intake, referrals, and recordkeeping in a client-focused environment.

The role will support volunteers, coordinate resources, assist in food bank operations, and maintain confidential client information while upholding the organization's service standards. A High School Diploma is required with clerical experience preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; clerical experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with professional demeanor.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and serve as first point of contact at the front desk.
• Maintain professionalism with respect, empathy, and a helpful attitude.
• Open lobby at 9:00 AM and keep the office organized; close at 4:00 PM.
• Maintain and update information for client assistance and resources.
• Answer calls, transfer messages, and log referrals for reporting.
• Register services in the current service registration system.
• Assist in processing assistance requests and referrals for the OTO Program.
• Coordinate volunteers and match them with clients; report scheduling issues.
• Support food bank warehouse operations as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Client database systems

Excel

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Social Service Clerk

DEPARTMENT: Social Services

STATUS: Regular-Full Time/Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Envoy Daniel Noland

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people

SCOPE OF POSITION:

• Serve as the first point of contact for Social Services clients and provide front desk, administrative, intake, referral, recordkeeping, resource, volunteer coordination, and food bank support to help ensure services are delivered professionally and in an organized manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet all clients with a smile and serve as the first person clients interact with.
• Maintain professionalism in all client interactions, with priority given to respect, empathy, and a helpful attitude.
• Open the gates and lobby area at 9:00 AM; keep the office organized and ensure important information affecting Social Services is shared with the supervisor.
• Keep the lobby clean and tidy and ready for the next day of service; close the gates at 4:00 PM each day.
• Maintain and update information and resources applicable to client assistance, including flyers, brochures, applications for assistance, community resources, and the bulletin board.
• Answer incoming calls and transfer them as appropriate; regularly check general office phone messages and ensure messages are transferred and/or returned the same day.
• Track daily phone calls and referrals for reporting purposes.
• Attend to Social Services clients and register services in the current service registration system.
• Assist in processing assistance requests and referrals while maintaining a professional and highly organized office and waiting room area.
• Assist in maintaining accurate case records and filing systems.
• Assist the Social Services Supervisor in completing office tasks, protocols, and responsibilities.
• Make pertinent notations, follow-ups, and updates in clients' database files.
• Keep accurate records of OTO clients, waiting lists, and volunteers.
• Assist in processing assistance requests and referrals for the OTO Program.
• Communicate with OTO volunteers and organize the matching of volunteers with clients, reporting scheduling difficulties to the supervisor.
• Assist food bank warehouse operations as needed.
• Follow all Salvation Army safety policies, use required personal protective equipment, and complete required safety training.
• Perform other job-related tasks and functions as assigned.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Clerical and office work experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Communicate well by telephone, in person, and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of personality types.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and customer service mindset.
• Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality and security of personnel- and client-related information.
• Knowledge of filing and recordkeeping systems.
• Ability to work in a client-facing environment while maintaining professionalism and poise.

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS:

• Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of client database and service registration systems, with the ability to learn new software with basic training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, and pull objects such as files and file cabinet drawers, and to reach overhead.
• Ability to operate a telephone.
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. (usually file and food boxes).
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer.
• Ability to understand written information.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily in a Social Services office and client-facing environment, with periodic support of food bank warehouse operations as needed.

WORK SCHEDULE / LOCATION:

Five days per week, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, 40 hours per week. Must be willing to work at least one Saturday per month for approximately a couple of hours. In-person at the Renton Food Bank.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization's need or when circumstances change.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• Health Insurance: Low bi-weekly premiums for employee-only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside a Kaiser service area. Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost. Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance are offered.
• Life and Voluntary Options: An employer-paid life insurance policy covers employees. Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.
• Retirement Plans: Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at five years eligible service time. Plus, an employee-funded voluntary 403(b) option.
• Parental Leave: The benefit is 40 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying events.
• Sick Leave: 12 days of Sick Leave annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after three months' service time.
• Paid Vacation: Two weeks annually, accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions.
  Four weeks annually, accruing from day one, for exempt positions.
  Accrued vacation is eligible for use after six months' service time.
• Paid Holidays: 13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.