Job Announcement This job announcement will be used to fill two or more Human Service Worker I positions located in the department’s’ office in Reston, Virginia. This ad may also be used to fill additional positions within the Department. The Human Service Worker I classification is an entry-level position which determines eligibility of applicants for public assistance programs, to include the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid programs. Assist applicants with the gathering of information necessary to establish eligibility. Applies, explains, and interprets Federal, State, and local policies to clients, service providers, the public, and other interested parties. Works in a fast-paced team environment. Uses automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, and to generate reports. Has the ability to follow instructions, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and communicate orally and in writing.NOTE: Position is eligible to work remotely 60% of work week after first 30 days of employment.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.) Learns, applies, explains and interprets 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 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; Authorizes public assistance (e.g., medical aid, financial assistance, food stamps), based on client circumstances and public assistance program requirements; 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 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; Assists with operation of an employment resource center. 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 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; Ability to work in a team environment; Ability to maintain flexibility. 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.
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.
- Experience working in data systems such as VACMS, ECMS, and Microsoft: Excel, Outlook, and Word.
- Experience with public assistance programs.
- Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws governing public assistance and the ability to apply them correctly.
- Clear and concise oral and written communications skills.
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to schedule and manage workloads to meet established deadlines.
- Experience using automated technology.
- The education or experience should have prepared the applicant with the ability to motivate, counsel and support clients; to make sound decisions independently by learning complex policies and procedures and applying these in the planning, management, coordination, and prioritization of multiple and varied activities.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to perform repetitive hand, arm, wrist and shoulder movements. Visual acuity to review detailed drawings, plans and documents. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for 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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
Merit Positions Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees' Child Care Center
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
Please click here for a summary of our benefits. NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid For additional details please visit the County's benefits webpage.
Non-Merit Positions
- Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Flexible Spending Program
- Deferred Compensation
- Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
- No benefits