Human Services Assistant III

Job DescriptionTitle Description- Human Services Assistant III represents the specialist level in the occupational group for Human Services Assistants. Employees serve as the initial point of contact for clients seeking benefits and/ or services and screens clients for benefits and services. Human Services Assistant III is distinguished from Human Services Assistant II by serving as a screener and the initial point of contact for the clients seeking benefits and/or services.General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) -Screens clients for benefits and services;Interviews clients and explains programs, services, policies and procedures;Assists clients with applications;Evaluates and approves agency providers;Researches information;Serves as initial point of contact for applicants;Interviews applicants for benefits and/or service programs;Provides information regarding various programs and benefits, general eligibility requirements, policies and procedures;Assists clients with completing applications and performs initial screening of applications;Provides information to clients seeking services and directly makes referrals for services;Researches a variety of databases to obtain and/or verify information needed to process applications;Maintains logs of client documentation received;Schedules and coordinates appointments for clients to meet with benefit, employment or services staff;Contacts clients for requested/needed information and responds to routine questions in person, e-mail or by telephone; andAnalyzes needs and coordinates resources that will support families/clients and generates payment for services when appropriate.In addition to the above other illustrative program area assignment/tasks follow:Adult Services/Adult Protective Services:Independently manages the Provider program requirements;Interviews clients and conducts assessment for emergency needs;Manages voucher system and prepares vouchers for ongoing expenditures;Facilitates placement of adults in Adult Living Facilities;Creates and prepares complex statistical reports;Verifies hours and accuracy of time sheets for In-Home Providers;Reviews expenditures and researches operational cost effectiveness; andPrepares, processes, and reconciles budget for various adult programs.General Work Tasks (continued) - Benefit Programs:Attends and testifies at administrative hearings;Prepares periodic, special and other reports for statistics; andProvides assistance in the orientation/training of new staff.Foster Care:Conducts adoption searches via court records, library, agency files, Internet, City directory, and makes initial contact if a match is found;Assists with subsidy billings and payments;Prepares a variety of financial, statistical forms and reports, case documentation and court reports;Assists in conducting supervised visitation; andCoordinates special event programs such as Toys for Tots, Annual Art Sale, Bags & Bears and unit events.Employment Services:Helps participant in writing resumes; follows up on referrals to ancillary agencies, in person and in writing;Debriefs participants when "fired" from Work Net classes;Locates resources for clients needing appropriate interview clothing and helps clients in making appropriate clothing choices; andTakes participants on educational/career exploration field trips.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge- Considerable knowledge of: principles and processes for providing customer and personal services (including customer needs assessment, meeting of quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction); structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; and administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology. Working knowledge of: human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; mathematics and research methods; and eligibility requirements for the programs assigned; and available community resources. Some knowledge of laws, regulations, requirements and policies of Local, State, and Federal social, assistance and housing programs.Skills- Skill in: operating a variety of automated office equipment to include calculator, fax/copier; and the use of computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and file maintenance programs.Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively with program participants; plan, organize, and prioritize own work schedule; establish and maintain working relationships with clients, professionals, co-workers, and the public sufficient to exchange ideas and coordinate activities; accept direction and follow established procedures; counsel others; organize, and post date, from records, reports and other sources using the appropriate format; exhibit solid interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution in working with clients, professionals and employees; create forms, charts, and graphs; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; make screening decisions based upon specific criteria's; read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, manuals; and conduct effective interviews both face-to-face and by telephone.