Human Service Worker III

Job Announcement

Effective July 13, 2024, compensation plans will be increased by 2% (market rate adjustment): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/fy-2025-compensation-plan

Multiple positions will be filled with this job advertisement. Positions are assigned to the Public Assistance & Employment Services Division of Fairfax County, Department of Family Services. Telework eligible up to 60% of the work week after first 30 days of employment. Human Service Worker III serves as a senior-level eligibility worker and manages complex cases. Performs comprehensive assessment of medical and financial needs to ensure the clients' needs are met. Conducts in-depth phone interviews to determine initial and ongoing eligibility of clients for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs.

Applies, explains, and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, the public, and/or other interested parties. Works with clients to assist with gathering information necessary to establish eligibility. Works in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines, high caseloads and competing priorities. Performs needs assessments to aid in making appropriate referrals to other service areas as needed. Serves as a policy expert to less experienced staff. Identifies gaps in service delivery and participates in activities designed to improve overall efficiency for the division. Assists supervisor with duties that include training, mentoring, and reviewing the work of less experienced staff. Provides unit coverage as needed on behalf of the supervisor. Uses complex state and local IT systems as well as Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) in 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 located at the Department of Family Services' offices in Annandale, Fairfax, Reston, and Alexandria, Virginia. Hybrid telework schedule is optional.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

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 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;

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

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

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 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 lead and coach other professional level staff;

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

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.

Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement .

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child protective services check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree. Minimum of 2-5 years of current experience determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs in the state of Virginia.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs and the ability to apply them correctly.
• Demonstrated experience training and reviewing the work of less experienced staff determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs.
• Experience and proficiency in working in VaCMS and MMIS.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Concise oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to access and evaluate data to ensure that established deadlines are met.
• Ability to prioritize multiple and varied tasks.
• Proven skills in providing excellent customer service.
• Resolves conflicts and has the ability to think independently.
• Exhibits strong leadership skills.
• Provide a positive and professional example for the team.
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, and operate keyboard driven equipment. Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.