Title: Administrative Assistant Senior (Office of Background Investigations) - #W4203

State Role Title: Administrative & Office Specialist III

Hiring Range: $40,832-$54,989 (salary commensurate w/exp.)

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas, and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning, and cultivating environments of trust, respect, and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

The Office of Background Investigations (OBI) has exciting opportunities available for Administrative Assistant Seniors. OBI currently houses two programs consisting of Child Protective Services Central Registry Searches and Criminal Background Investigations.

These positions will be responsible for the processing of Child Protective Services Central Registry Search requests or Criminal Background Investigation checks. Duties includes but is not limited to performing data entry, conducting research, analyzing data, and making determinations based on central registry search findings and criminal background information; responding to inquiries of a sensitive nature from individual applicants, child care facilities, schools, local social services, children’s residential facilities and others as requested; providing fiscal accountability for funds received for the Office of Background Investigations; and ensuring compliance with Child Protective Services guidance and procedures, federal and state requirements regarding background investigations as well as with the Code of Virginia.

Minimum Qualifications

• Skill in conducting searches through research of records/documents/reports.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and problem-solving of confidential information to make determinations on findings.
• Skill in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Skill in data entry and typing in a high-volume customer service environment.
• Skill in working effectively and communicating verbally and in writing with a diverse population of internal and external customers.
• Skill in the use of word processing, computer applications such as MS Office, and with data base management/automated systems.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, guidance and/or procedures to ensure compliance.
• Ability to work independently: plan, organize, and handle multiple priorities in a timely and accurate manner.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in human services to include but not limited to CPS, APS, Foster Care, Adoption.
• Experience working in a local department of social services agency.
• Experience conducting background investigations or working in a criminal justice setting
• Knowledge of the legal system including criminal justice agencies and court structure.
• Knowledge of OASIS system.
• Administrative experience in a Legal office.
• Paralegal certificate.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

VDSS values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

Virginia Department of Social Services does not provide sponsorship.

The Virginia Department of Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. For more information about our employment practices, please visit our “Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan”.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site when you apply.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Contact Information

Name: VA Dept. of Social Services, Div. of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.