Social services assistant

Job Title: Social Services Assistant (Spanish-Speaking)
Department: Rockland County Department of Social Services
Type: Full-Time (35 hours/week)
Salary/Pay Rate: $28.42 per hour
Posted Date: April 21, 2025

Position Summary:

The Rockland County Department of Social Services is seeking a qualified, bilingual (Spanish-speaking) candidate for the position of Social Services Assistant . This paraprofessional role involves moderately complex work providing direct support and services to clients across various programs, including Adult Protective Services, Medicaid, Children & Family Services, and SNAP.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist clients in applying for services, verifying eligibility, and maintaining accurate case records.
• Respond to client inquiries regarding benefits, program guidelines, and case statuses.
• Staff the call center to resolve concerns, schedule appointments, and issue replacement SNAP cards.
• Prepare observation reports for court use and testify when necessary.
• Transport clients (children and vulnerable adults) to medical, legal, and social services appointments.
• Monitor and ensure client safety and well-being during visits and appointments.
• Conduct drug test collection, maintain documentation, and ensure chain of custody.
• Perform clerical duties, including data entry and maintaining electronic records.
• Supervise and assess court-ordered visitations between biological parents and children in foster care.
• Conduct home visits to gather documents and explain available services.
• Assist in transferring children between biological and foster parents.
• Provide direct client support, such as helping with grocery shopping when needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of paid work experience involving direct customer service, including at least one (1) year in a social assistance setting (e.g., social services, education, health, or mental health).
• Substitutions:
• An Associate’s degree or 60 college credits may be substituted for two years of the required customer service experience.

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher is fully qualifying. Language Proficiency Requirement:

Candidates must possess Level II proficiency in Spanish , as defined by the New York State Department of Civil Service. This includes the ability to converse effectively on practical, social, and professional topics, read and understand standard documents, and maintain grammatical accuracy.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license at time of appointment and throughout employment.
• Legal residency in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut .
• For positions with access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) , additional federal background checks and fingerprinting (per IRS Publication 1075) are required.

Employment Information:

This position is part of the New York HELPS Program and is a non-competitive title approved by New York State Civil Service.

Salary & Benefits:

• $28.42 per hour (35-hour work week)
• Comprehensive benefits including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, personal, and holiday time
• NYS Pension eligibility
• Tuition reimbursement, deferred compensation
• Leadership and professional development training opportunities

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should email a completed Rockland County application to:
[email protected]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $28.42 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person