Social Services Worker & Receptionist
The Salvation Army
- Tallahassee, FL
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Greets and interviews clients requesting assistance to determine client's eligibility for assistance based on program guidelines and restrictions; records clients' disposition and other pertinent information such as income, expenses, family and work history; assists clients in completing applications for assistance; photocopies social security cards, picture identification cards, payroll statements, utility bills etc.
- Prepares, completes, and processes food, clothing, and furniture vouchers for eligible clients; directs clients to Lodge kitchen, Thrift Store or Distribution Center for assistance.
- Provides clients with food from pantry; receives and stocks items donated for the pantry; maintains an itemized account of pantry disbursements and inventory.
- Gives list with addresses for lodging availability.
- Assists in the processing of rent and utility financial assistance for eligible clients by making appropriate copies of documents and assisting clients with completing application forms.
- Serves as liaison to other agencies in order to obtain/coordinate assistance on client's behalf; builds and maintains professional working relationships with community agencies.
- Prepares and files client records in a timely manner ensuring all information is accurate and up to date; obtains signatures of clients as needed; reviews and tracks all client records in order to determine if client is active or inactive; maintains confidentiality of client information.
- Prepares and maintains statistical records on all services provided; compiles and prepares monthly statistical reports; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same.
- Answers telephone in a courteous and tactful manner; assists clients by providing accurate and complete information regarding the Social Service Program operations and/or services; assists public in locating missing persons.
- Answers the telephone and transfers calls to the appropriate destination; responds to callers questions and provides accurate information.
- Records accurate and complete messages; ensures the timely and accurate distribution of messages through telephone and/or E-mail.
- Records and updates statistical information; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same.
- Receives, greets, and announces visitors in a courteous and tactful manner; provides assistance to callers and visitors by answering questions and providing instructions and referrals; screens sales representative soliciting to The Salvation Army.
- Receives, responds to, and assists people requesting social service assistance; assists in registering clients; maintains supply of maps and phone numbers for social services; locates appropriate personnel to assist visitors.
- Notifies proper individuals when visitors or clients have arrived; ensures that visitors and clients have signed-in.
- Connects employees desiring to make long-distance and/or overseas phone calls; connects and logs personal calls to be placed on credit card or home for employees and place the same calls on a list.
- Adds/deletes names and extensions to the phone list to ensure the list remains up to date on a daily basis; proof reads telephone lists for mistakes before list is printed.
- Sorts and distributes mail; ensures all mail reaches appropriate destination; assists with preparing bulk-mail.
- Receives and prepares receipts for donations, packages, airline tickets, express mail, and items delivered to the lobby; notifies proper individuals of item arrival by telephone and/or E-mail.
- Types and files routine correspondence, documents, lists, reports, etc.
- May assist with a specific program such as senior citizens or food programs; plans and coordinates program arrangements; sets-up program meeting area; ensures clients of program are served effectively.
- Performs related work for special and seasonal projects.
- Makes various announcements over the intercom such as car lights being left on in the parking lot or announcements for chapel.
- Validates parking tickets for visitors, persons attending meetings, etc.
- Records appropriate message for answering machine to be used on holidays.
- Types various routine documents such as bulletins, announcements, cards, etc.
- Proof-reads correspondence for errors and proper grammar.
- Photocopies, collates, and staples documents.
- May perform routine clerical work as needed to assist secretaries.
- Maintains the neatness and attractiveness of the reception area.
- Stocks daily bread shelves after screening assessments are complete with clients.
- Set appointments for case manager.
- Knowledge of social service practices and principles.
- 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.
- 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 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, typewriter, 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% of work time.
- Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.
- Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like.