Human Service Worker IV

About the Role

Join the Department of Family Services (DFS) in the Public Assistance & Employment Services Division as a Human Service Worker IV. Lead caseworkers in delivering essential public assistance services, ensuring the well-being of Fairfax County residents by protecting, empowering, and guiding individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.

This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the community through leadership, policy development, and service delivery improvements.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of caseworkers conducting eligibility determinations for public assistance services.
• Collaborate with the management team to ensure consistent and effective service delivery 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 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 applying policies to assist those in need.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, direction, and mentoring to professional staff on case-related issues, policies, and professional development.
• Plan caseloads, assign cases, and review case records to ensure program timeframes and performance outcomes are met.
• Communicate performance expectations and monitor staff and unit accomplishments against program goals.
• Conduct individual conferences with staff to discuss case problems and monitor progress.
• Identify crisis situations and provide intervention as needed.
• Interview job applicants and make hiring recommendations.
• Prepare and conduct performance evaluations in a timely manner.
• Handle performance and discipline issues according to County personnel policy.
• Facilitate the professional growth of staff.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex federal, state, and County policies to applicants, service providers, and the public.
• Participate in inter- and intra-agency multidisciplinary work groups and teams.
• Make public presentations on programs and services.
• Monitor and ensure efficient coordination of services, identifying gaps and improving operations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of policies, procedures, and best practices for compliance with regulations.
• Prepare or oversee narrative and statistical reports documenting unit work and case activity.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of complex federal, state, and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform.
• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems.
• Understanding of social, economic, health, and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make mathematical computations.
• Ability to schedule, organize, and manage workloads for self and others to meet deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply program policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in using automated technology for research, case records, correspondence, and reports.
• Ability to interpret and analyze data.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines, high client contact volume, caseloads, and competing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, and the public.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Commitment to maintaining professional ethics and confidentiality of client information.
• Ability to work in a team environment and with people under stress.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to identify clients in crisis and intervene to stabilize situations.
• 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 casework.
• Ability to develop, train, mentor, and motivate staff.
• Ability to review cases for consistency, best practices, timeliness, accuracy, and appropriateness of action.
• Adaptability to changes in work assignments and environment.
• Ability to recognize and implement proactive approaches to service delivery.
• Ability to make public presentations.

Qualifications

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.
• Four years of professional human services or related work experience.

Some positions may require specific certifications prior to employment or the ability to acquire them within a specified timeframe.

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

• Experience working with Public Assistance Programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF, with demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex policies and regulations.
• Supervisory experience guiding professional staff, providing feedback, coaching, and coordinating workloads.
• Experience with Human Services Case Management systems and proficiency with Virginia Department of Social Services’ computer systems.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to excel under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborative relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and community partners.
• Advanced proficiency in analyzing data and using insights to drive operational efficiency.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Physical Requirements

• Sufficient mobility to attend meetings and visit DFS offices as needed.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Proficiency in using automated technology.
• Ability to function well under extreme pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

• Opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of community members.
• Hybrid telework schedule option after 30 days of employment.
• Access to professional growth opportunities in a collaborative and dedicated team environment.
• Supportive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Additional Information

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with many residents speaking languages other than English. Bilingual candidates (English and another language) are encouraged to apply.