Human Service Worker II

This position is in the Pennino Building in Fairfax, with possible weekly assignments in one of the Department of Family Services (DFS) regional offices, either in South County (Alexandria), Reston, or Annandale.

• Performs all tasks related to determining eligibility of families for participation in the Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) program, to include child care referrals from Child Protective Services and Foster Care. 
• Provides case management services for families enrolled in CCAR and provides information about CCAR eligibility requirements to staff from Head Start, Early Head Start, the School Age Child Care Program and other DFS/NCS programs.
•  Has knowledge of and can interpret federal, state, and local Child Care Policy and Procedures.
• Trains CCAR staff in the development of case management skills; serves as a consultant to program staff and assists CCAR regional supervisors in analyzing complex eligibility issues related to state and local child care policies and procedures.
• Serves as a resource in the development of eligibility manuals for CCAR Human Service Workers.
• Compiles data and is responsible for/assists with the preparation of reports.
• Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Specialist III.
• Participates in interviewing/hiring panels for CCAR Human Service Workers.
• Compiles state eligible cases for review and audit.
  

(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 federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties;
• 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;
• 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 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;

(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 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.

 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 one year of professional work experience in human services or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
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:

• Familiarity with principles and practices of early childhood education, childcare programs, and/or family casework.
• Experience as a Human service worker working with families and subsidized child care programs.
• Experience determining eligibility for benefits and services and using automated systems.
• Experience training and mentoring staff and using Document Management and Imaging System (DMIS) and Electronic Content Management System (ECMS), the County and State's automated record-keeping system.
• Able to work effectively as a leader in a team-oriented environment and to use computers and automated systems as tools for casework and generating reports.
• Experience managing a caseload.
• Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.
• Experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Current or past experience working as a Human Service Worker in a child care assistance and referral (CCAR) program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing. Ability to lift up to 10 pounds Ability to use automated technology. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this 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. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

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