DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington•Pierce County – Lakewood, WA

About The Position

The Economic Services Administration’s Community Service Division is hiring a specialist-level Public Benefits Specialist 4 to independently provide intensive eligibility services and professional case planning for individuals seeking specialty program services. The role requires a high level of proficiency in Community Services Division-administered public assistance programs and extensive knowledge of financial eligibility, rules, policies, and procedures. The specialist determines eligibility and appropriateness for public assistance programs, conducts client interviews and program orientations, and develops and monitors case plans. The position assesses client needs, coordinates referrals and support services, works with employment, training, and educational providers, and helps clients address barriers to participation and employment. It also involves reviewing documentation, interpreting laws and policies, maintaining accurate case records, and handling client information confidentially. The position may include outreach and community-based activities, use of certified contracted translators for clients with limited English proficiency, helping clients apply for Apple Health through the Health Plan Finder, and home or alternate-site visits to assess vulnerable or disabled applicants, recipients, or children when they cannot or will not visit a Community Service Office.

Requirements

A bachelor’s or master’s degree and 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3; or a bachelor’s degree or higher and 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for long-term care services.
Alternatively, equivalent education and experience may include qualifying work examining or processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, financial eligibility staff support, or analysis and verification of financial data, substituted year for year, plus satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
Out-of-state experience determining financial eligibility for public assistance programs, including financial, medical, and food benefits, will be considered toward experience.
Exceptional understanding of eligibility, Community Services Division processes, and related computer programs.
Extensive specialized financial knowledge and ability to interpret public laws and policies and make independent decisions.
Extensive knowledge of Washington Administrative Code and procedural manuals used to determine eligibility for Community Services Division programs.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to provide outstanding customer service by phone.
Ability to maintain quality and productivity levels and assist others in interpreting and analyzing data.
Proficiency with Community Services Division computer programs and ability to review state computer-system data to make accurate decisions.
Ability to remain calm under pressure, manage job-related stress, analyze written and oral information, and seek clarification from supervisors, trainers, or program managers when appropriate.

Responsibilities

Independently determine and redetermine client eligibility for Community Services Division-administered public assistance programs.
Conduct intensive client interviews and orientations to specialty programs.
Perform complex financial eligibility work, interpret rules, and contribute to planning and procedural development.
Verify and establish overpayments and make referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery.
Provide professional case management, assess client needs, and develop service plans and referrals for clients seeking BFET, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other applicable programs.
Monitor client progress, update service plans, help remove barriers to participation, and refer clients to appropriate services.
Coordinate case plans and services with employment, training, and educational providers.
Use multiple automated systems to perform eligibility and case-planning work, and maintain the confidentiality of client data.
Analyze written and oral information and review documentation and verification to determine eligibility and appropriate service options.
Read and interpret Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington, procedural manuals, policies, and policy clarifications.
Meet program deadlines and agency performance measures, and process case actions according to federal and state processing and accuracy requirements.
Contact DSHS staff, partner agencies, and community organizations to clarify information and answer questions about benefits, services, program requirements, applications, and verification.
Participate, as assigned, in supervisor-approved community activities for outreach, training, partnership-building, and service to shared communities.
Use certified contracted translators when serving clients with limited English proficiency.
Assist clients with applying for Apple Health by entering information into the Health Plan Finder system.
Conduct home or alternate-site visits to evaluate situations and assess vulnerable or disabled applicants, recipients, or children when needed.