Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Daleville, VA

About The Position

Botetourt County Department of Social Services is hiring a Benefit Programs Specialist II, the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. The position determines and re-determines eligibility for individuals and families seeking financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other social services benefit programs. Work follows established policies, procedures, and guidelines, while requiring independent judgment in some eligibility decisions, particularly when evaluating social factors. Employees seek supervisory assistance for difficult or unusual situations. The starting annual salary is $32,415, commensurate with experience. Employees may be eligible for telework at the department’s discretion, with schedules varying according to agency needs. Applicants may be subject to criminal-history, central-registry, driving-record, drug-screen, fingerprint, employment, reference, education, credit, and other checks as applicable. All offers are contingent on satisfactory screening results. The employee may be required to report for shelter duty during community disasters or emergencies.

Requirements

Working knowledge of public-service organization practices, economics and basic human behavior, financial assistance programs, social-service eligibility requirements, applicable state, local and federal rules, mathematics, and interviewing techniques.
Skill operating a personal computer and associated agency software.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad range of people, in person and by phone.
Ability to interview, gather information, reevaluate client situations, make referrals, and determine ownership shares where relevant.
Ability to perform mathematical computations; analyze information from varied sources and identify missing information or gaps; and apply common-sense understanding to written and oral instructions.
Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, and prepare reports and manipulate data.
Ability to maintain professional ethics and confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness, solve problems, and draw logical conclusions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a positive and tactful manner, including under stressful situations.
High school diploma with additional training and related work experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
May be required to report for shelter duty during community disasters or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) senior worker or lead worker role, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of public assistance program policy and regulations relating to SNAP; Medicaid/Cardinal medical assistance for Family and Children, Aged, Blind, Disabled, and Long Term Care; TANF; VIEW; CCSP; EAP; SNAP E&T; fraud; Quality Control; and other human-service programs.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants and recipients, obtain necessary information, and re-determine continuing eligibility.
Explain benefit programs, determine reasons for and need for assistance, and explain applicants’ and recipients’ rights and responsibilities.
Process applications for financial assistance and diversion; determine eligibility and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods.
Interpret policies and procedures applicable to various programs.
Monitor cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implement changes to benefit levels within applicable guidelines.
Evaluate clients’ employability status and explore potential sources of income.
Explain client responsibilities, rights, and program availability.
Refer clients to service workers based on an overall assessment of their situations and refer discernible social problems to Social Workers.
Prepare reports and maintain client records.
Identify possible fraud and make appropriate referrals; assess data for consistency and completeness and substantiate its accuracy when indicated.
Compute assistance plans and determine allowances for special-circumstance items such as household equipment.
Provide information about other agencies and services, including employment, child support, and child care services.
Communicate and work with applicants, recipients, employers, courts, medical professionals, agencies, associates, and the public.