Social Service Specialist III

DelDOT; Delaware; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) in Delaware seeks a Social Service Specialist III to serve as the first point of contact for clients entering the center. You will guide clients through program options, conduct central intakes, and refer to services or partners as needed.

Essential duties include interviewing and assessing eligibility, maintaining case records, and coordinating with family support services and community resources to fulfill client needs efficiently.

Qualifications

• Three years experience in health or human services support.
• Three years experience applying laws, rules, and procedures.
• Six months experience in making recommendations as part of a client service plan.
• Six months experience in record keeping.
• Six months experience in using an automated information system.

Responsibilities

• Interview, assess and advise clients to determine eligibility and needs.
• Provide crisis intervention and evaluations as needed.
• Document, verify and report client information.
• Refer ineligible clients to appropriate agencies and resources.
• Provide coverage for other agency assistance programs as assigned.
• Utilize community resources to address identified needs and problems.

Skills

Interviewing clients

Needs assessment

Crisis intervention

Client referrals

Documentation

Job description

Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self‑sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick‑start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

As a Social Service Specialist III, you will serve as the first point of contact for clients entering the center, delivering customer‑friendly, high‑quality service. You will ensure clients are well informed about the programs and services offered by Family Support Services and other partner agencies within the center and surrounding community. Through timely and interactive interviews, you will conduct central intakes using systems such as MCI, Worker Web, and CAPS. By completing these concise assessments, you will begin the process in fulfilling client needs efficiently, providing direct support or appropriate referrals when services are unavailable.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interviews, assesses and advises clients to determine eligibility, needs and course of action to meet needs.
• May provide phone counseling evaluations and crisis intervention to determine admission of clients to hospitals or other special treatment facilities.
• Documents, verifies, records and reports client information.
• Refers ineligible clients to appropriate agencies and resources.
• May provide coverage for other agency assistance programs as assigned.
• Utilizes the resources of social services/other agencies, and community resources as a means of dealing with identified needs/problems.
• Maintains adequate records of provided services including case files and related material.
• Provides referral information to individual and general public, promotes effective public relations for agency.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Social Service Specialist III

• Three years experience in health or human services support such as interviewing clients and assessing personal, health, social or financial needs in accordance with program requirements or coordinating with community resources to obtain client services.
• Three years experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Six months experience in making recommendations as part of a clients service plan such as clinical treatment, counseling, or determining eligibility for health or human services/benefits.
• Six months experience in record keeping.
• Six months experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment‑based sponsorship.

All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. TDD users may request an auxiliary aid or service by calling [phone] or by visiting delawarerelay.com. You may also call [phone] or email [e-mail] for additional applicant services support.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.