Benefit Programs Specialist IV

Virginia Department of Social Services•Fork Union, VA

1d•$39,149

About The Position

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist IV committed to making a positive difference in the lives of adults, families, and children. This is a leadership-level role in the benefit programs occupational group. The specialist serves as a lead worker, provides training and guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists, and supports the supervisor by helping ensure staff coverage and workload balance, reviewing case files, and providing backup supervision. The role may include consulting on complex cases and handling complex, sensitive, and confidential assignments. Work is performed under established policies and procedures with a high degree of independence; supervisory assistance is sought in unusually complicated or difficult situations. Unlike a Benefit Programs Supervisor, this position does not spend most of its time on supervisory activities such as personnel matters and evaluating others’ work. The specialist interprets benefit program policies and procedures and assists staff and clients with initial and continuing eligibility determinations. The role also involves preparing case records and reports, compiling caseload statistics, meeting deadlines, responding to public inquiries, identifying alternative sources of income and assistance, and coordinating with community resources and partners to help clients meet assessed needs. Applicants must have successfully completed VDSS training and demonstrate proficiency in determining eligibility for programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF; using the VaCMS system to process cases; interviewing applicants; and working independently with little supervision. The education and experience requirement is the same as for Benefit Program Specialist III, with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants are subject to background and pre-employment checks. The employee must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Applications must be submitted electronically through the specified website; other submission methods are not accepted.

Requirements

Successful completion of VDSS training.
Proficiency in determining eligibility for benefit programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF.
Proficiency in using the VaCMS system to process cases.
Experience interviewing applicants to determine eligibility for benefit programs.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.
Education and experience requirements are the same as for Benefit Program Specialist III, with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures, including civil and Circuit Court procedures; basic human behavior, social problems and resources, and interviewing techniques; social, economic, health, and cultural factors that can serve as barriers to employment; and counseling techniques.
Skill in operating a personal computer and associated office and agency software.
Must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Subject to DMV/driving-record review, pre-employment drug screening, CPS and criminal-history searches, and other checks requested by the hiring authority; driving record must meet agency standards.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting training and working in a leadership role.
Ability to determine eligibility for complex cases.

Responsibilities

Serve as a lead worker and assist the supervisor with staff training, case-file reviews, and backup supervision.
Answer staff questions about policies and procedures, suggest case-management methods, and consult on complex cases.
Prepare case records and reports.
Work on complex and sensitive cases.
Interpret benefit-program policies and procedures and assist staff and clients with initial and continuing eligibility determinations.
Collect and compile caseload statistics.
Provide individual and group training to other eligibility workers.
Coordinate training programs and orientation for new employees and clients.
Explore alternative sources of income and assistance.
Respond to public inquiries about public assistance programs and eligibility requirements.
Ensure established deadlines are met.
Prepare monthly reports and maintain records of activities.
Train new staff on policy and procedural matters.
Coordinate and interact with community resources and partners to help clients meet assessed needs.
Help ensure staff coverage and workload balance.