Human Services Assistant III

Hiring Range: $32,752.00 to $52,093.00

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Salary Range $32,752-$52,093

Position is for a Human Services Assistant III for Child Protective Services

Job Description

This position provides a variety of services and support for the Child Protective Services unit.  It requires operation of various computer systems to complete required tasks; answer incoming calls and manage the front desk to include greeting and receiving the public entering the building; greet and record walk-in reports; provide direct administrative support to Family Services Specialists in managing their cases; provide direct mail correspondence; provide information and referrals and verify information as required for other community resources; prepare and update case files, paper records; enter information into online systems; provide written and/or oral updates for paper and electronic case files, label case files and complete forms; assist in completing drug screen kits; organization and maintenance of file room; and perform other related duties as assigned.

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.  

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. 

 Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma supplemented with postsecondary 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. 

 Preferred Qualifications

High school diploma supplemented with postsecondary coursework in subjects such as office business administration, accounting, computer sciences, social work, human services, or one of the social or behavioral sciences or a related field, and relevant work experience in public administrative support work or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge. Skilled in working with DSS programs such as OASIS. Bilingual (Spanish/English).

Special Requirements

Applicants may be subject to Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check and/or pre-employment drug screen.

This may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

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

May require reporting for shelter duty during emergencies and/or disasters.

Requires valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license to include driving record that meets the agency standard.

Special instructions to Applicants

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information provided. Applications must include relevant employment history.

Please refer to your LHRC account for the status of your application and this position. Selected applicants will be contacted by the phone number/email listed on the application/resume.

Contact Information

Name:  Janie Good

Phone: 540-574-5126

Email: janie.good@dss.virginia.gov

Address:  Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District

110 North Mason Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22803