Human Service Worker II

Fairfax County's Division of Public Assistance & Employment Services (PAES) is looking for compassionate and driven individuals to join our team as Human Service Worker II (HSW II).

At DFS, we are more than just a government agency - we are a crucial part of our community, dedicated to strengthening the well-being of individuals, children, and families. We do this by providing vital resources, creating partnerships, and delivering high-quality services. If you're ready to use your skills to make a positive impact, this is the opportunity for you!

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Help vulnerable populations get access to life-changing programs like SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and more.
  
• Diverse Community: Work with people from all walks of life in one of the most multicultural counties in the nation.
  
• Room to Grow: Potential for advancement, training, and professional development.
  
• Flexibility: Telework eligible after your first 30 days of employment.
  
• Competitive Salary: Starting at $54,330.43- $90,550.51 annually.
  
• Impactful Work: Be part of a team dedicated to uplifting underserved communities.
  
• Growth Opportunities: Whether you're starting as an HSW II or at an entry-level position (Human Service Worker I), our training programs will prepare you for future success and promotional opportunities within the division.
  
• Work-Life Balance: Telework options, training support, and a team-oriented environment.

• Be the first point of contact for individuals and families seeking assistance through public programs.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments for medical and financial needs.
• Perform in-depth phone interviews, gather necessary information, and assist clients with applications.
• Interpret and explain complex federal, state, and local program policies to clients in a clear and empathetic manner.
• Make referrals to other resources and services to ensure clients' diverse needs are met.
• Manage high caseloads in a fast-paced environment using state and local IT systems.

(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;
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.

(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.

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.

Some positions in this classification may be assigned to the Public Assistance Program in which the one year of professional level human services or related experience referenced above must specifically be in public assistance programs. Candidates appointed to these positions without the requisite year of professional public assistance programs experience will be hired at the Human Service Worker I grade level, and upon satisfactory completion of a one year Public Assistance Program training appointees will be eligible for a non-competitive promotion to the Human Service Worker II grade level.

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.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as an Human Service Worker I (Grade S18; $50,839.78 - $84,732.96 Annually). The employment standards for the Human Service Worker I are: any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: 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.

Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Human Service Worker II within two years of the job announcement's closing date of 5/30/25.

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.
• Past or present work experience as a Human Service Worker for Fairfax County.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include practical 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.