Human Services Associate (Clerical)

JOB TITLE: HUMAN SERVICES ASSOCIATE CLERICAL

SALARY RANGE: $35774 $56271

DEPARTMENTAL HIRING SALARY RANGE: $35774 $45755

JOB OPEN DATE: 05/09/2025

JOB CLOSE DATE: 05/25/2025

Job Summary

Under general supervision performs clerical and clericaladministrative duties in determining eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiplebenefit programs administered by the City Social Services Department. Work involves interviewing and screening clients explaining the terms and policies regarding the receipt of benefits scheduling appointments and preparing documents and forms. Employee is responsible for handling a variety of routine inquiries by telephone and in person maintaining a variety of records and files.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Utilizes computerdriven data entry and file maintenance programs to retrieve files and other information as requested by eligibility workers or supervisor; performs various data entry duties including opening establishing and updating case files with provided information; prepares photo identification.
• Interviews and screens clients for multiple benefit and service programs; initiates clients applications assists clients in completing applications as necessary; calculates income and expense of applicant; determines whether applicant qualifies for expedited services.
• Answers telephone and receives inquiries; provides information pertaining to multiple benefit service programs or refers inquiries to appropriate personnel.
• Updates and maintains Employment Board by providing a complete listing of jobs available through various companies and government agencies using the internet newspapers and company contacts; conducts fleeing felons inquiries; tracks Food Stamp/TANF conducts marriage license searches; mails applications to clients; orders and maintains State forms; tracks Medicaid lawsuits; conducts Work Opportunity Tax Credit inquiries.
• Contacts students to confirm class start dates and times; assists in Orientation preparations by compiling the folders for the attendees.
• Provides tours as requested; maintains computer lab.
• Types materials from typed or handwritten copy or machine dictation which requires use of a variety of complicated formats for preparing correspondence reports files and cards; assumes responsibility for correctness of spelling punctuation format and grammar.
• Provides forms to applicants and explains program policies and procedures; refers clients to other social service divisions and ancillary agencies.
• Retrieves case files and distributes cases to workers in accordance with workers schedules; provides workers with basic demographic and program information prior to interview; appropriately distributes files.
• Sorts and distributes incoming mail; sorts outgoing mail and delivers to mail room.
• Maintains various records and files.
• Attends training and workshops as required.
• May operate the Career and Resource Center; assists clients with careeroriented tasks and provides support to Self Sufficiency Worker II.
• May act as backup for receptionist and provides support to other staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employee must be willing to work disaster related assignments including emergency shelter duty in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Required Qualifications

Graduation from high school including or supplemented by course work in secretarial sciences or business practices. Requires a valid drivers license.

Preferred Qualifications

1 to 2 years of experience in clericaladministrative work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge skills and abilities.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of arithmetic grammar spelling punctuation and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of modern office practices procedures equipment and standard clerical techniques.
• Knowledge of the policies procedures rules and regulations of multiple benefit programs as administered through the City Social Services Department.
• Skilled in the operation of electronic dataentry equipment including popular computerdrive word processing spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to make minor administrative decisions in accordance with laws ordinances regulations and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a variety of moderately complex records and to compile reports from such information.
• Ability to type with accuracy at the speed required by the position.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment discretion and initiative in completing assignments.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact courtesy and discretion in frequent contact with program clients and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments instructions and/or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports correspondence forms etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence reports forms logs etc.
• Ability to speak with poise voice control and confidence and to articulate information to others.
• Ability to plan work and develop procedures; to learn and/or evaluate complex information in order to make judgments and decisions.
• Ability to make independent judgments in absence of supervision.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
• Ability to record and deliver information to explain procedures to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently using Standard English.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add subtract multiply and divide.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length width and shape.

Performance Evaluation Criteria:

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computers calculators copiers facsimile machines etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items office equipment control knobs switches etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

FLSA Status

NonExempt

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Suffolk Department of Social Services 135 Hall Avenue Suite B Suffolk VA 23434