Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS1-3) - Yakima

State of Washington•Yakima County - Multiple Locations, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Yakima, WA. The role involves assisting families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits within the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center. The goal is to help families access affordable childcare services to support employment, education, and long-term stability, contributing to DCYF's mission of strengthening opportunities and promoting safety and positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. DCYF is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Public Benefits Specialist provides direct customer service in a fast-paced call center, determining eligibility for Child Care Subsidy benefits by conducting interviews, gathering information, reviewing documentation, and applying state and federal laws and policies. This role requires strong communication, sound judgment, independent decision-making, and financial assessment skills to explain program requirements and provide accurate information compassionately. Successful candidates will be comfortable in a structured, customer-focused environment, managing high call volumes and balancing attention to detail with excellent customer service to ensure children have access to quality early learning opportunities and families achieve stability.

Requirements

Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1) Qualifications: 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) Qualifications: Six (6) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1, and completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program. OR 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.
Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3) Qualifications: Nine (9) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2. 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 Equivalent combination of education and/or experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits totaling eighteen (18) months.
Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete an in-person math assessment as part of the initial screening process.

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.