(Posted 2024 November)
Meet Erin Clark!
Position: Operations Manager - South County in the Public Assistance and Employment Services Division
I have worked for the Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) division in Fairfax County for 26 years. I started as a Human Service Worker I and worked my way up through the division to more senior positions, all the way to the supervisory and management role I hold today. As an Operations Manager, I lead a team of supervisors and human service workers to manage the ongoing benefits caseload. When a community member applies for a public benefits program, such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or others, we ensure the case progresses in a timely and accurate manner so that the applicant receives the benefits to which they’re entitled.
The County’s reputation attracted me to applying for a local government job. After growing up in Fairfax County and graduating from the Fairfax County Public School system, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do professionally. But through family, friends, and the community, I knew Fairfax County Government was a good place to work with strong benefits and opportunities to grow my career. I was attracted to working for the PAES division, formerly known as Self-Sufficiency, because of their work in the community, helping vulnerable residents meet basic needs. PAES administers programs that provide food, medical, financial, energy, and employment assistance to help people on their path to financial stability.
Something I wish people knew about PAES and working for the County is how fulfilling it is to see the impact of your work on the community. The most rewarding part of my job is working with both our external customers and internal staff who I supervise and support. I enjoy helping our staff do their job effectively and grow professionally in their role. Seeing new staff members start learning their role and their immense professional growth over time is incredibly rewarding.
My role contributes to PAES’ mission by ensuring cases are processed in a timely and correct manner by staff, which allows community members to receive their benefits as soon as possible to start supporting themselves and their families. Staff sometimes meet residents at their most vulnerable point in life, and we do all that we can to connect them with assistance and resources in the community to put them on an upward trajectory.
PAES is a very innovative division to work for – I tell my staff members that the most consistent thing within PAES is change! We must be highly adaptable to meet the needs of the community through changing environmental and regional situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to move our services online and even found new ways to service the community more efficiently and creatively. Prioritizing the connection with our clients in a virtual setting was a priority for PAES staff, as we are always people first.
Get to know more about Erin’s career through this video spotlight.