Human Services Client Associate

Virginia Department of Social Services · Alexandria

The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our Human Services Client Associate position.

Employees in the Center for Economic Support Customer Relations division is the initial point to access services in the Department of Community and Human Services for residents in crisis and/or need social service interventions. Incumbents provide crisis intervention and emergency support and referral services to the Alexandria community. The incumbent participates in a variety of community relations projects for low-income families including persons at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses, elderly, mentally ill, substance dependent, and/or ex-offenders. The incumbent assists in the planning, organization, and implementation of topical workshops, community outreach, and community-based health care programs. Work performed is supervisory reviewed through conference and effectiveness of services to the clients.

Office Associate III is the advanced level in the occupational group for Office Associates. Employees work in a service or administrative program area(s) performing a broad variety of office and program support responsibilities that require applying some program knowledge and office and administrative practices, policies and procedures to perform specific office support activities. Employees may serve as a lead worker and provide guidance to office support staff or others. The Office Associate III is distinguished from the Administrative Program Assistant I class in that employees in the latter class perform complex office and administrative support duties in a specialized program area such as in accounting, human resources, information technology and have a working knowledge of the program area and technical aspects. The Office Associate III is distinguished from the Office Supervisor in that supervisors spend a majority of their time in supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues and assigning and reviewing the work of others.

Examples of Duties:

Provides in-person and phone crisis intervention and emergency support services to low-income families, elderly persons, ex- offenders, substance dependent, and mentally ill individuals.
Greets and escorts clients to and from secured area for assessment interviews.
Interviews clients and assesses need for services, monitors, and evaluates customer success.
Develops training using training platform tools (Survey Monkey) in collaboration with supervisors and directors.
Determines eligibility and renewal for dental, vision, and provider-based medical insurance programs.
Analyzes information and documentation obtained from the interview and determines eligibility.
Completes application for benefit assistance or assists clients as needed necessary.
Refers clients to appropriate department and community resources for assistance, if necessary, support client access to resources and manages cases in accordance with program requirements.
Responds to inquiries from the public concerning program services to include addressing concerns, processing changes to existing cases, and/or makes appropriate referrals.
Develops and/or coordinates workshops that support independence and self-sufficiency; to include creating flyers and/or facilitating workshop sessions.
Arranges for and obtains such needed items as food, shelter, and/or prescriptions from community resources or agencies.
Stays informed about new and existing client programs and services, including criteria for eligibility.
Provides coverage and assists with the operations of SNAP-EBT Incentive and Gleaning Programs at farmers markets and collects data for reporting.
Serves as liaison with multi-cultural and/or multilingual families, and completes translation of signage, documents and/or provide interpretation.
Updates electronic communication boards for the public and message boards.
Leads special projects and assists in completion of project charters, plans and prepares presentations.
Assesses community needs and assists in the planning, organization and implementation of topical workshops, forums and seminars, and/or in developing marketing materials for educational activities.
Attends civic association meetings, school activities, shelters, and other community functions to provide program information and to discuss issues/topics unique to target groups.
Maintains and compiles directory of local resources for the community for financial assistance, clothing, housing, and other needed items and services.
Serves on committees and task forces.
Assists in the preparation of reports, correspondence, and other administrative tasks.
Participates in special projects as assigned.
Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma supplemented with related clerical or administrative experience in social services or related field OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Considerable knowledge of office and administrative practices, policies and procedures as related to assigned program and office support activities; Considerable knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation; Considerable knowledge of office terminology, procedures, and equipment technology and office software programs; Considerable knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems. Some knowledge of elementary bookkeeping and accounting. Considerable knowledge of benefit programs and community resources. Skill in operating a personal computer, printer, scanner, and a variety of standard office machines and equipment. Demonstrated ability to organize information and develop/maintain records in various formats; Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Demonstrated ability to multi-task; Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, customers, other public and private agencies, and the public sometimes under stressful situations; Demonstrated ability to collect and disseminate information; Demonstrated ability to proofread; Demonstrated ability to type from clear copy or draft; Demonstrated ability to advise and interpret policies and procedures in researching and resolving inquiries, requests and complaints; Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and advocate for service population and liaison with community resources; Demonstrated ability to prepare and maintain complete and accurate records and reports.

Preferred Qualifications:

Some experience in case coordination, interviewing, completing assessments, teaching or counseling the economically disadvantaged/developmentally disabled, local offender population, displaced worker, substance use, or the homeless population; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Some experience in case management, teaching or counseling the economically disadvantaged.

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