Human Service Worker III

Human Service Worker III

Works within DFS Public Assistance & Employment Services, Long Term Services and Support (LTSS) Unit located in Fairfax, VA. Performs comprehensive assessments for medical and financial needs. Conducts in-depth phone interviews, assists in gathering necessary information, aides in making appropriate referrals, and determines initial and ongoing eligibility for federal and state programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

Works closely with other community partners such as the Community Service Board, and Adult and Aging. Applies, explains and interprets highly complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties. Works with clients to assist with gathering of information necessary to establish eligibility. Works in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines, high caseloads and competing priorities.

Performs needs assessment of clients to aid in making appropriate referrals to other services. Uses complex state and local IT systems as well as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word software in their daily work to document, obtain, and verify information, and to generate reports.

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.

• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems
• Knowledge of social, economic, health and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies governing public assistance and welfare reform
• Ability to read, interpret and apply complex program policies and procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to make mathematical computations
• Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficient to meet deadlines
• Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines, computer systems, high volume of client contact, high caseloads, and competing priorities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers and other human service providers
• Ability to work effectively with people under stress and those from various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality of client information
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to maintain flexibility
• Ability to manage a complex caseload
• Ability to assess client needs through collection and analysis of employment history and other personal, family and cultural information
• Ability to use supportive counseling techniques to enhance and develop clients' problem solving capabilities
• Ability to identify clients in crisis and intervene to stabilize the situation
• Ability to identify client issues needing referral to other human service providers (e.g., substance abuse, spousal abuse)
• Ability to lead and coach other professional level staff
• Ability to develop and present training programs
• Ability to conduct research to identify grant opportunities
• Ability to develop presentations using automated technology

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree plus two years of human services or related professional work experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and child protective services check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least one year of experience determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, and/or other public assistance programs in the state of Virginia.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws governing Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief, and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs and the ability to apply them correctly.
• At least one year of experience in using Virginia state systems;
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