Performs comprehensive assessments for medical and financial needs. Conducts in-depth phone interviews, assists in gathering necessary information, aides in making appropriate referrals, and determines initial and ongoing eligibility for federal and state programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), Medicaid, Temporary Relief for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance. Applies, explains and interprets highly complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties. Works with clients to assist with gathering of information necessary to establish eligibility. Works in a fast paced environment with multiple deadlines, high caseloads and competing priorities. Performs needs assessment of clients to aid in making appropriate referrals to other services. Uses complex state and local IT systems as well as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word software in their daily work to document, obtain, and verify information, and to generate reports.

This position may be filled as an underfill at the Human Service Worker I level. Underfill requirement are noted below in the Employment Standards section.

Note: This job announcement will be used to fill multiple full-time Human Service Worker II vacancies in the department's offices located in Annandale, Fairfax, Reston, and Alexandria, Virginia.

Illustrative Duties

• 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;
• 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 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;
• Authorizes public assistance (e.g., medical aid, financial assistance, food stamps) based on client circumstances and public assistance program requirements;
• Uses various forms of automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, to generate reports, and to authorize benefits and services for clients; providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• 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 staffing 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;
• Determines client's employment needs in order to develop a plan of service to move them towards self-sufficiency;
• Provides career counseling;
• Assists job seekers with job search and resume development;
• Assists workforce development staff in the operation of employment programs.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• 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 sufficient 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;
• 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.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM 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.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as an Human Service Worker I (Grade S18; $44,073.33 - $73,455.62). The employment standards for the Human Service Worker I are: any combination of education, professional work experience and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree. Candidates appointed to these positions at the Human Service Worker I grade level will be eligible for a non-competitive promotion to the Human Service Worker II grade level upon successful completion of the underfill agreement.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Not applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1 year of current or recent experience determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, and/or other public assistance programs in the state of Virginia.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws governing Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief, and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs and the ability to apply them correctly.
• Experience in using Virginia state systems; VaCMS, MMIS, and SPIDeR.
• Clear and concise oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to schedule and manage large workloads and the ability to meet stringent deadlines.
• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel computer software applications; and the willingness to learn new applications and systems as needed.
• Ability to be flexible, multi-task, prioritize, and manage multiple activities simultaneously in a face-paced, changing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities.
• Team player with the ability to take initiative and work well independently.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must complete a criminal background check and a check of the Child Protective Services Registry to the satisfaction of the employer. Some positions may require a driver's license or ability to efficiently access other means of transportation in order to work with clients and community service providers outside the office. Some positions may require oral and written bilingual competency in English and a target or preferred second language.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds. Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to stoop, bend and reach. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.