Human Services Assistant III- Family Services

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.

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:

Prefer High School diploma supplemented with post secondary course-work 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. Prefer Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).

Preferred Qualifications:

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a criminal history background search, central registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verifications and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority. This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange, and a search of the Central Registry.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience, either paid or unpaid, and qualifications on the application.