Human Service Worker IV

About the role

The Department of Family Services (DFS) is seeking a dedicated Human Service Worker IV to join the Public Assistance & Employment Services Division. This role involves supervising caseworkers, collaborating with management, leading staff allocation, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of caseworkers conducting eligibility determinations for public assistance services.
• Collaborate with the management team to ensure services are delivered effectively and consistently across branch offices.
• Lead staff allocation efforts to meet high-demand times and balance workloads.
• Identify and address gaps in service delivery to enhance operations and maximize impact.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to maintain full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Analyze complex data, generate actionable insights, and create detailed reports to monitor program performance.
• Leverage technology to streamline operations and ensure accurate documentation while consistently applying policies to assist those in need.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of complex federal, state, and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform.
• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems.
• Knowledge of social, economic, health, and cultural factors which can serve as barriers to employment.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make mathematical computations.
• Ability to schedule, organize, and manage workload of self and others sufficient to meet deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply program policies and procedures.
• Ability to use automated technology to conduct research, establish and maintain case records, and produce correspondence and reports.
• Ability to interpret and analyze data.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines, high volume of client contact, high caseloads, and competing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other human service providers, and the general public.
• Ability to work well with clients and coworkers from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Professional ethics related to confidentiality of client information.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with people under stress.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to identify clients in crisis and intervene to stabilize the situation.
• Ability to identify client issues requiring referral to other human service providers (e.g., substance abuse, spousal abuse).
• Ability to supervise the work of others effectively.
• Ability to provide ongoing, timely, and constructive feedback to staff regarding case work.
• Ability to develop, train, mentor, and motivate staff.
• Ability to review cases for consistency, best practice, timeliness, accuracy, and appropriateness of action.
• Ability to accept changes in work assignments and environment.
• Ability to recognize and implement best proactive approaches to service delivery.
• Ability to make public presentations.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree plus four years of professional human services or related work experience.
• Experience working with Public Assistance Programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF and demonstrated ability to interpret, understand, and effectively apply complex policies, regulations, and procedures with precision and confidence.
• Supervisory experience guiding professional staff, providing constructive feedback, coaching for professional growth, and coordinating team workloads to meet deadlines and organizational goals.
• Experience utilizing Human Services Case Management systems and proficiency with Virginia Department of Social Services' computer systems and programs.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and professionally to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to excel under pressure, managing competing priorities with a calm and focused approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, clients, and community partners.
• Advanced proficiency and experience in analyzing data, generating insights, and using data to make informed decisions that drive operational efficiency and results.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of complex federal, state, and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform.
• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems.
• Knowledge of social, economic, health, and cultural factors which can serve as barriers to employment.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make mathematical computations.
• Ability to schedule, organize, and manage workload of self and others sufficient to meet deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply program policies and procedures.
• Ability to use automated technology to conduct research, establish and maintain case records, and produce correspondence and reports.
• Ability to interpret and analyze data.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines, high volume of client contact, high caseloads, and competing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other human service providers, and the general public.
• Ability to work well with clients and coworkers from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Professional ethics related to confidentiality of client information.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with people under stress.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to identify clients in crisis and intervene to stabilize the situation.
• Ability to identify client issues requiring referral to other human service providers (e.g., substance abuse, spousal abuse).
• Ability to supervise the work of others effectively.
• Ability to provide ongoing, timely, and constructive feedback to staff regarding case work.
• Ability to develop, train, mentor, and motivate staff.
• Ability to review cases for consistency, best practice, timeliness, accuracy, and appropriateness of action.
• Ability to accept changes in work assignments and environment.
• Ability to recognize and implement best proactive approaches to service delivery.
• Ability to make public presentations.

Benefits

In PAES, you will have:

• The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of community members.
• A hybrid telework schedule option (after just 30 days of employment).
• Access to professional growth opportunities alongside a collaborative and dedicated team.
• A workplace culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, where you can thrive in making an impact.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

This position offers a flexible hybrid telework schedule.