Job Announcement

This position is located in the Pennino Building in Fairfax, Virginia, with possible weekly assignments in one of the Department of Family Services' Regional offices in South County (Alexandria), Reston or Annandale, Virginia. Performs all tasks related to determining eligibility of families for participation in the Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) Program. Interviews prospective families to determine child care needs. Requests documentary verification as required by established policies and procedures. Reviews and responds to all referrals from other units. Determines the need for other social services and makes referrals when appropriate. Provides child care resource and referral information to members of the community who are searching for child care. Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Specialist III.

Illustrative Duties

(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.)
Learns, 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 in order to make appropriate referrals and connections 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 automated technology to document, obtain and verify information to generate reports and authorize benefits and services for clients;
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;
Assists with operation of an employment resource center.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(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;
Ability to read, interpret and apply program policies and procedures;
Ability to understand and apply federal, state and local laws governing public assistance and welfare reform;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to make mathematical computations;
Ability to schedule, organize and manage workload sufficiently 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.

Employment Standards

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.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 
  Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a degree in early childhood education, early childhood development, social work, or family studies.
• Excellent oral and written skills.
• Experience in early child hood development programs and/or working with low income families.
• Ability to work with a high caseload and in an environment of competing priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other human service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to use automated technology. 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.