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.

Note: This job announcement will be used to fill multiple full-time Human Service Worker III positions.

• Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• Conducts in-depth interviews of clients to determine and reassess eligibility of clients for financial, publicly supported medical services and/or medical public assistance programs;
• Performs client needs assessment to aid in making appropriate referrals to other services;
• Works with clients to assist with gathering of information necessary to establish eligibility;
• Compiles and maintains data and documents and may prepare written narratives to support eligibility determinations;
• Ensures timely processing of applications to meet client needs and program policy mandates;
• Authorizes public assistance (e.g., medical aid, financial assistance, food stamps) based on client circumstances and public assistance program requirements;
• Uses various forms of automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, to generate reports, and to authorize benefits and services for clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• Assists clients in obtaining the resources necessary to meet emergency needs;
• Assists clients in obtaining services and coordinates these with other service providers as needed;
• Coordinates and manages clients' participation in a variety of services;
• Participates in case staffings with other county staff or community organizations to assess and address needs of clients;
• Prepares appeal documents and may represent the agency in administrative appeals filed by clients;
• Provides guidance and assistance to employers and clients in the operation of an employment resource center;
• Performs employability assessment of economically disadvantaged clients to develop a plan of service to aid them in securing employment;
• Works with clients to identify and address barriers to employment;
• Provides career counseling;
• Assists job seekers with job search and resume development;
• Participates in curriculum development, facilitates workshops, and works with businesses and workforce partners in response to customer needs;
• Plans and participates in orientations and workforce related workshops;
• Identifies, recruits and develops job opportunities with employers to place program participants including job sites for community work experience and on-the-job training;
• Tracks, monitors, and reports on employment resource center resources, job leads and employment databases;
• Develops marketing and presentation materials for the business community, the public and other human service providers;
• Researches available grants and determines feasibility of acquisition of funds and appropriate projects for funding;
• Assists with writing grant applications and proposals for funding;
• Prepares required reports on federal, state and local grant performance outcomes;
• Oversees and coordinates a program or project;
• Assists the supervisor with duties that may include training, coaching, and reviewing the work of less experienced staff;
• Serves as policy expert in one or more program areas, providing guidance, direction, and information to other staff;
• Assist in the development of service strategies.

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.

• 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; VaCMS, MMIS, and SPIDeR.
• Clear and concise oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to schedule and manage large workloads and the ability to meet stringent deadlines.
• Supervisory experience and/or experience reviewing the work of less experienced staff.
• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel computer software applications; and the willingness to learn new applications and systems as needed.
• Ability to be flexible, multi-task, prioritize, and manage multiple activities simultaneously in a face-paced, changing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities.
• Team player with the ability to take initiative and work well independently.