Human Service Worker III

Serves as a senior-level eligibility worker with the primary function of reading and reviewing cases for both new and experienced Human Services Workers. Performs comprehensive assessment of medical and financial needs to ensure the clients' needs are met. Conducts in depth case reviews of workers processing applications for state and local financial and/or medical assistance programs. Ensures cases meet compliance and are processed within Federal, State and Local policy guidelines and procedures for initial and continuing eligibility for assistance. This includes all programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and Refugee Assistance for which the individual may apply or qualify. Identifies and assists with training on quality deficiencies and issues effecting compliance, to include policy related matters and VACMS contributory factors. Reviews case work of Human Service Workers I, II and IIIs. Responsible for assisting with preparation of cases for Federal, State, and local audits. Provides rotational coverage of Ticketmaster duties to include troubleshooting VaCMS issues and identifying solutions, tracking VCCC submissions and their results, escalating issues as appropriate and communicating VaCMS related issues to staff. Ability to shift easily between differing tasks/assignments due to the needs of the agency. Uses complex state and local IT systems as well as Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) in daily work to document, obtain, and verify information, and to generate reports.

Note: This job announcement will fill existing vacancies and any upcoming HSW III positions within the PAES Quality Control (QC) Unit located at the Department of Family Services' offices.(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains and interprets complex 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 assessment to aid in making appropriate referrals to other services;
Works with clients to assist with gathering of information necessary 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, service 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 staffings 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;
Prepares required reports on federal, state and local grant performance outcomes;
Oversees and coordinates a program or project;
Assists the supervisor with duties that may include training, coaching, and reviewing the work of less experienced staff;
Serves as policy expert in one or more program areas, providing guidance, direction, and information to other staff;
Assist in the development of service strategies. (The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge of basic human behavior and social problems;
Knowledge of social, economic, health and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment;
Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies 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 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;
Ability to identify clients in crisis and intervene to stabilize the situation;
Ability to identify client issues needing referral to other human service providers (e.g., substance abuse, spousal abuse);
Ability to lead and coach other professional level staff;
Ability to develop and present training programs;
Ability to develop presentations using automated technology.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree plus two years of human services or related professional work experience.

Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child protective services check.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree. 
• Current or very recent experience determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs in the state of Virginia. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash Assistance programs and the ability to apply them correctly. 
• Demonstrated experience training and reviewing the work of less experienced staff determining eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, General Relief and/or Refugee Cash assistance programs. 
• Experience and proficiency in working in VaCMS and MMIS. 
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook). 
• Concise oral and written communication skills. 
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to access and evaluate data in order to ensure that established deadlines are met. 
• Ability to prioritize multiple and varied tasks. 
• Proven skills in providing excellent customer service. 
• Resolves conflicts and has the ability to think independently. 
• Exhibits strong leadership skills. 
• Provide a positive and professional example for the team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer.
Ability to perform repetitive hand, arm, wrist, and shoulder movements.
Visual acuity to review detailed drawings, plans and documents.
All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we are committed to providing county services to individuals regardless of English proficiency.  Qualified candidates who are bilingual in English and another language are encouraged to apply for this job opportunity.  

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

Salary : $56,957 - $94,930