Human Services Associate - Screening Clerk (GRANT-FUNDED)

Human Services Associate - Screening Clerk (GRANT-FUNDED)

Salary

$36,847.00 - $42,000.00 Annually

Location

Social Services Building, 135 Hall Avenue, Suffolk, VA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

04670

Department

SOCIAL SERVS-COMM CORRECTNS

Opening Date

09/09/2026

Closing Date

9/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

• THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION*

Under general supervision, performs clerical and clerical-administrative duties in determining eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiple benefit 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 .The Screening/Intake Officer, under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator, provides clerical and administrative support to the Fifth Judicial District Community Corrections Program and its officers. Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy when dealing with colleagues, clients, and members of the public.

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 computer-driven 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 career-oriented tasks and provides support to Self Sufficiency Specialist.
• May act as back-up 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, and 1 to 2 years of experience in clerical-administrative work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Requires a valid drivers license.

Supplemental Information

• 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 data-entry equipment, including popular computer-drive 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.

• This position is subject to a background check.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits

Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)

Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members

Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.

Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Yearly earnings

120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)

Sick Leave

Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave

All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.

Health Insurance

Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.

Supplemental Insurances

Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.

Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability

Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.

Life Insurance

The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.

Optional Life Insurance

Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.

Holidays

Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty

Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.

457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA

Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.

Employee Assistance Program

Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Workers Compensation

Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmens Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days

Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.

Credit Union

A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.

Legal Services

Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.

Notary Public Services

Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work Schedule

For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes your experience in an administrative or customer service role?

• 0 to less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• More than 2 years

03

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Suffolk

Address 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1044

Suffolk, Virginia, 23434

Phone 7575144110

Website http://www.suffolkva.us