Benefit Programs Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

About The Position

BPSI Job posting Harrisonburg City and County of Rockingham are some of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area offers residents both a rural and suburban feel. The area has lots of restaurants, parks, entertainment and access to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite Universities, Bridgewater College, Blue Ridge Community College for entertainment activities and continuous learning. Harrisonburg/Rockingham has the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking and the Shenandoah River for water adventures. The Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District administers a wide variety of programs and services that assist children, youth, adults, and families, individuals with disabilities, and older adults with basic supports and medical needs as well as services to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. All services are delivered under state and federal mandates or under local initiatives that seek to improve family stability, help families achieve safe and affordable housing, and increase self-sufficiency. Our Vison is better health, safety, and well-being for all. Our mission is people helping people triumph over poverty, abuse, and neglect to shape futures for themselves, their families and communities. Title Description- Benefit Programs Specialist I represents the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs. Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility; Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance; Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability; Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy; Computes assistance plans; Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items; Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income.

Requirements

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; meet deadlines, plan, organize and prioritize tasks; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations and analyze, interpret and apply complex federal, state law and regulations.
High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent supplemented with additional training and related work experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; prefer completion of required Benefit Programs training and experience with agency related software.
Prefer bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Considerable knowledge and use of automated eligibility systems, particularly the Virginia Case Management System (VACMS).

Responsibilities

Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility
Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance
Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability
Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy
Computes assistance plans
Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items
Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning
Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income

Benefits

Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Paid Time Off (accumulate 12 hours per month)
Annual Paid Holidays (observe 12 per year)
Group Health Plan
Group Life Insurance
Group Dental Insurance
Group Vision Insurance
Wellness Memberships
Direct Deposit
AFLAC
Exceptional Performance Recognition
Virginia Credit Union Membership
Tele-working available upon successful completion of training and probation (up to 3 days per week)