Human Service Worker II

This position is located in the Pennino Building in Fairfax, with possible weekly assignments in one of the Department of Family Services (DFS) regional offices in South County (Alexandria), Reston, or Annandale.

About the Role

Performs all tasks related to determining eligibility of families for participation in the Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) program, including child care referrals from Child Protective Services and Foster Care. Provides case management services for families enrolled in CCAR and offers information about CCAR eligibility requirements to staff from Head Start, Early Head Start, the School Age Child Care Program, and other DFS/NCS programs.

Interprets federal, state, and local Child Care Policy and Procedures. Trains CCAR staff in case management skills, serves as a consultant to program staff, and assists CCAR regional supervisors in analyzing complex eligibility issues. Acts as a resource in developing eligibility manuals for CCAR Human Service Workers. Compiles data and assists with report preparation. Participates in interviewing and hiring panels for CCAR Human Service Workers and compiles state-eligible cases for review and audit. Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Specialist III.

Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains, and interprets federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties.
• Performs client needs assessments to aid in making appropriate referrals 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 various forms of automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, generate reports, and authorize benefits and services.
• 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 client needs.
• Prepares appeal documents and may represent the agency in administrative appeals filed by clients.
• Determines client's employment needs to develop a plan of service to move them toward self-sufficiency.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems.
• Knowledge of complex federal, state, and local laws 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, organize, and manage workload 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 and 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.

Qualifications

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus one year of professional work experience in human services or a related field.

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

• Familiarity with principles and practices of early childhood education, childcare programs, and/or family casework.
• Experience as a Human Service Worker working with families and subsidized child care programs.
• Experience determining eligibility for benefits and services and using automated systems.
• Experience training and mentoring staff and using Document Management and Imaging System (DMIS) and Electronic Content Management System (ECMS).
• Able to work effectively as a leader in a team-oriented environment and use computers and automated systems for casework and generating reports.
• Experience managing a caseload.
• Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.
• Experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Current or past experience working as a Human Service Worker in a Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) program.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to use automated technology.

All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.