Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS3) - Vancouver

State of Washington•Vancouver, WA

51d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Benefits Specialist conducts interviews, reviews information, and makes eligibility determinations for child care subsidy assistance. As the incumbent of this position, you will use your extensive and specialized financial knowledge, as well as your ability to interpret public laws and policies and make independent decisions. In this role, you will provide customer service delivery and support children receiving early education.

Requirements

Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1): One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs. OR A bachelor's degree AND experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims OR in a customer service job where the major duties involve public contact, OR a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination will substitute, year for year, for education.
Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2): One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs and completing the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program. OR Six (6) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1, and satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3): Eighteen (18) months of experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits.
OR Fifteen (15) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1 and satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
OR Nine (9) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2.
AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.
Incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one (1) year of their appointment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience working in a high-volume customer service environment.
One (1) year of experience working in a call center environment.
Prior experience determining eligibility for public programs.

Responsibilities

Conduct intensive interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services, or continued eligibility for services when notifying the program of changes of circumstances for Child Care benefits.
Process Child Care applications received from the Washington Connection online applications, in the Document Management System (DMS), and through interactive interviews.
Analyze collected oral and written information to determine accurate benefits and continued program eligibility.
Finalize Child Care applications and reapplications with information received and verified for accurate determination of eligibility.
Refer clients to both mandatory and optional services, including to other agencies as required.
Take actions necessary to ensure that limited English proficient clients receive properly translated forms and translation services from state certified, contracted translators and interpreters.
Authorize Working Connections Child Care Subsidy payment to approved Licensed facility and Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Subsidy Providers through the Social Services Payment System (SSPS).
Compute and initiate overpayments and client notifications when necessary.
Issue reimbursements and benefits when appropriate to correct under issuances.
Assist Child Care Providers with subsidy payment information and other requirements to receive subsidy.