DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington•King County - Seattle - Capitol Hill, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Elevate your career in a lead role that truly makes a difference! The Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD), has an opportunity as a Public Benefit Specialist 4 (PBS4) to join our team in Seattle, WA. This position works full time in the Capitol Hill Community Services Office (CSO), providing hands-on support and leadership to staff and clients alike. As a Leadworker, you’ll take on a critical role in guiding and supporting a team of Public Benefits Specialists who process cash, medical, and food benefits. You will be responsible for assigning work, conducting thorough audits, and ensuring that both new and experienced staff maintain high standards in service delivery. By identifying error trends and providing targeted coaching, you’ll help shape the development and efficiency of the team. In addition to leading a team, you’ll perform complex tasks such as establishing financial eligibility, interpreting rules, and developing procedures. Your expertise will also be crucial in verifying overpayments, making referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery, and reviewing cases for accuracy. You'll engage with staff, agencies, and the community to clarify information and support clients throughout their application process. If you are an experienced professional ready to lead, mentor, and ensure the quality of public assistance services, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact within the Community Services Division. See why people like you chose careers with DSHS: Some of what you'll do: Assign work to Public Benefits Specialist staff who process cash, medical, and/or food benefits Perform more complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development Verify and establish overpayments and complete referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery Audit and review the work of Public Benefits Specialist staff. Establish reports and recommendations to supervisor surrounding staff progress Detect error trends through audits to identify training needs Serve as a job coach for staff Maintain and review procedures for efficient workflow Review cases and independently analyze case actions for accuracy. Contacts staff, agencies and the community as necessary for clarifying information Use basic understanding of the administrative hearing process to review cases and to help decide if a hearing request can be settled prior to submission Assist customers with the process of applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF} system on behalf of the clients Investigate and resolves customer complaints

Requirements

Possess extensive knowledge of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and procedural manuals needed to determine eligibility for all programs administered by CSD
Proficiently utilize all computer programs in use by the Community Service Division
Frequently review data found in the State’s computer systems to make accurate decisions
Interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy and responsiveness
Independently plan and manage multiple financial cases or projects to be completed within specified timelines
Stay calm under pressure, and effectively manage the stress of the job.
Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in completing multiple assignments while meeting performance standards.
12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
OR A Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long-term care services.
OR 5 years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one year’s equivalent work experience.
Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Nice To Haves

Providing eligibility for services or direct customer service serving historically marginalized communities
Experience examining/processing loan applications
Medical insurance or rehabilitation claims
Unemployment insurance claims
Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information

Responsibilities

Assign work to Public Benefits Specialist staff who process cash, medical, and/or food benefits
Perform more complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development
Verify and establish overpayments and complete referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery
Audit and review the work of Public Benefits Specialist staff.
Establish reports and recommendations to supervisor surrounding staff progress
Detect error trends through audits to identify training needs
Serve as a job coach for staff
Maintain and review procedures for efficient workflow
Review cases and independently analyze case actions for accuracy.
Contacts staff, agencies and the community as necessary for clarifying information
Use basic understanding of the administrative hearing process to review cases and to help decide if a hearing request can be settled prior to submission
Assist customers with the process of applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF} system on behalf of the clients
Investigate and resolves customer complaints