Human Service Worker I

About the Role

This is an entry-level position for a Human Service Worker I that determines eligibility for public assistance programs, including LIHEAP, PIPP, SNAP, and Medicaid. The role works in a fast-paced team environment and utilizes automated technology for documentation, verification, and reporting. The position is eligible to work remotely 60% of the work week after the first 30 days of employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist applicants with gathering necessary information to establish eligibility.
• Apply, explain, and interpret Federal, State, and local policies to clients, service providers, the public, and other interested parties.
• Conduct in-depth interviews to determine and reassess client eligibility for financial, publicly supported medical services, and/or medical public assistance programs.
• Perform client needs assessments for appropriate referrals and connections to other services.
• Compile and maintain data and documents, and prepare written narratives to support eligibility determinations.
• Ensure timely processing of applications to meet client needs and program policy mandates.
• Authorize public assistance (e.g., medical aid, financial assistance, food stamps) based on client circumstances and program requirements.
• Use automated technology to document, obtain, and verify information, generate reports, and authorize benefits and services.
• Assist clients in obtaining resources for emergency needs.
• Assist clients in obtaining services and coordinate with other service providers.
• Coordinate and manage clients' participation in various services.
• Participate in case staffings with other county staff or community organizations to assess and address client needs.
• Prepare appeal documents and may represent the agency in administrative appeals.
• Assist with the operation of an employment resource center.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Automated technology for documentation, obtaining, and verifying information.
• Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word (preferred).
• Data systems such as VACMS and ECMS (preferred).

Qualifications

• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply program policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply federal, state, and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make mathematical computations.
• Ability to schedule, organize, and manage workload sufficiently 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.
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred).
• Experience with public assistance programs (preferred).
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws governing public assistance and the ability to apply them correctly (preferred).
• Clear and concise oral and written communications skills (preferred).
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills (preferred).
• Ability to schedule and manage workloads to meet established deadlines (preferred).
• Experience using automated technology (preferred).
• Ability to motivate, counsel, and support clients; make sound decisions independently by learning complex policies and procedures and applying these in the planning, management, coordination, and prioritization of multiple and varied activities (preferred).
• Bilingual in English and another language is encouraged.

Employment Standards

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree.
• Satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services check.
• Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment.

Selection Procedure

• Panel interview.
• May include an exercise.