Social Services Assistant_NE-AOK_701-Social Services Department

Social Services Assistant- Job Summary Coordinates volunteer services and provides assistance to the Social Service Director. Helps answers phone calls and questions in a courteous manner. Helps provide assistance to eligible clients with food, lodging, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance, interviews clients to determine need and eligibility to receive services. Prepares accurate and complete client records; refers clients to community agencies and maintains effective working relationships with the same. Also ensures compliance with program policies and procedures.   Essential Functions   This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position.  The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.   Administration (75%) Prepares client data reports and oversees integrity of data systems and information.   Answers and directs incoming calls, takes and relays messages as appropriate.   Maintains contact with community agencies and conducts community service worker interviews; completes the associated paperwork.   Completes any paperwork accurately and in a timely manner; documents all services provided for statistical purposes.   Prepares, completes, and processes food, clothing and furniture vouchers for eligible clients, refers clients to the Thrift Store for assistance.   Provides clients with food from pantry, orders food for the pantry; receives and stocks items donated for the pantry; picks up food from the Food Band with The Salvation Army vehicle, and unloads/stocks items in the food pantry; assembles food bags for clients.   Ensures that the Energy Assistance Program has copies of all bills and checks; maintains checks in order.   Other Responsibilities (25%) Attends social service meeting   Assists in coordinating Thanksgiving and Christmas programs; processes applications for assistance and determines client eligibility. Contacts grocery store for best price for food; assists with the Angel Tree by checking gifts and ensuring that gifts are age appropriate and ensures that clients are only helped once for Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Prepares and provides receipts to donors.   Provides assistance to supervisor/director as required.   Performs other duties as assigned.   Materials and Equipment Computer                             General Office Equipment                                Fax Machine   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge or general office practices and principles.   Knowledge of social service practices and principles.   Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.   Knowledge of community resources to provide information and referrals to victims and/or other individuals in the community.   Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with the public and community agencies.   Ability to prepare accurate and complete client records, reports and statistics.   Ability to perform data entry tasks with minimal errors.   Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of individuals throughout the organization and the community.   Ability to understand and convey the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault.   Ability to interview clients in order to evaluate and serve their needs.   Ability to determine client eligibility for program assistance based on specific program guidelines and restrictions.     MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED   Education and Experience High school diploma or GED, And Two years experience working in a social or public service environment with experience assisting the public, Or Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.   Certifications/Licenses Valid State Driver’s License   Physical Requirements Ability to meet attendance requirements.   Ability to read, write and communicate the English language.   Ability to perform mathematical calculations.   Ability to type and keypunch information into a computer.   Ability to sort and file documents alphabetically and numerically. Ability to operate various general office equipment including a telephone, computer, and adding machine.   Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10 percent of work time.   Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.