Human Services Assistant III

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginias most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them. The Clarke County Department of Social Services is a part of the Virginia Social Services System. Our agency is the central resource dedicated to delivering public assistance, child welfare, and aging and adult services to the people of Clarke County.

Clarke County Department of Social Services is seeking to fill the position of Human Services Assistant III. This position serves as the first point of contact for Clarke County clients seeking benefits and services. The Human Services Assistant III serves as the support to our Benefit Programs Team and critical part of our mission in supporting and connecting in human services programs. 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. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Screens clients for benefits and service.
• Provide clear communication to internal and external customers
• Interviews clients and explains programs, services, policies and procedures
• Research information
• Serves as initial point of contact for applicants
• 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 visitors and 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
• In addition to the above other illustrative program area assignment/tasks follow:
• Issue EBT cards
• Answer telephone
• Prepares mail, faxing, scanning, and filing

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 postdate, 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 su