Human Services Benefits Program Specialist

Virginia Department of Social Services•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our Human Services Benefits Program Specialist position. General Statement of Duties: Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs. A Human Services Benefits Program Specialist determines and re-determines eligibility of individuals and families for one or more federal, state, and local financial assistance programs including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Medicaid for families, children, the elderly and disabled, and nursing home/community based care; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Auxiliary Grants (AG); General Relief (GR) for unattached children; and, Energy Assistance; interprets and explains policies pertaining to financial assistance programs. Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards. Unusual or difficult situations are referred to a supervisor. Work performed is reviewed for accuracy, clarity and completeness. The Human Services Benefits Program Specialist requires the ability to use independent judgement to determine eligibility of individuals and families for assistance, by interpreting law and policy, and by evaluating social and economic factors as they relate to eligibility, without supervisory guidance.

Requirements

Some work experience using Virginia state systems.
Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training 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.
Working knowledge of eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies.
Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems.
Working knowledge of interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software
Demonstrated ability to interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals.
Demonstrated ability to make mathematical computations.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.
Demonstrated ability to and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Nice To Haves

Two-year college degree in a related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Four years of college or some specialized experience in eligibility determination and implementing multiple government benefit program policies.

Responsibilities

Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs state and federal benefits programs;
Navigates proficiently through various databases (ADAPTRO, Spider, MMIS, SAVE, SVES, APPEC, EPPIC,VACMS, and CommonHelp);
Tracks and complies with state mandates for timeliness and accuracy compliance for all financial assistance programs;
Conducts detailed interviews on the telephone or in person to gather required information and troubleshoot discrepancies;
Provides excellent customer service including explaining programs, policies and rights and responsibilities to applicants and recipients;
Gathers and analyzes verification documents received for authenticity, validity, and accuracy, and make referral to fraud as required;
Secures and safeguards confidential information from applicants, recipients, and federal reports;
Prepares reports and maintains client records;
Identifies and assesses customer needs to make appropriate referrals for services and resources to community organizations, mental health, employment and Social Security Administration;
Maintain continued client contact throughout the year to assist clients with a multitude of issues and priorities for their self-sufficiency;
May be required to support local disaster response/emergency operations and other duties related to the delivery of services;
Assists co-workers and fills in as needed;
Performs related work as required.