Human Service Worker

This position is located in the Pennino Building in Fairfax, Virginia, with possible weekly assignments in one of the Department of Family Services' Regional offices in South County (Alexandria), Reston or Annandale, Virginia. Performs all tasks related to determining eligibility of families for participation in the Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) Program. Interviews prospective families to determine childcare needs. Requests documentary verification as required by established policies and procedures.

Reviews and responds to all referrals from other units. Determines the need for other social services and makes referrals when appropriate. Provides childcare resource and referral information to members of the community who are searching for childcare. Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Specialist III.

• Learns, applies, explains and interprets federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• Performs client needs assessments in order to make appropriate referrals and connections to other services;
• Works with clients to assist with gathering the information required 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;
• Uses automated technology to document, obtain and verify information to generate reports and authorize benefits and services for clients;
• 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 staffing with other county staff or community organizations to assess and address needs of clients.

• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems;
• Ability to read, interpret and apply program policies and procedures;
• Ability to understand and apply federal, state and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to make mathematical computations;
• Ability to schedule, organize and manage workload sufficiently 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.

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.

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.

None.

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

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a degree in early childhood education, early childhood development, social work, or family studies.
• Excellent oral and written skills.
• Experience in child care subsidy programs, early child hood development programs, and/or working with low income families.
• Ability to work with a high caseload and in an environment of competing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective…