DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington • King County – Auburn, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) – Case Planning and Support Specialist (CPSS) to join our team at the Community Service Office in Auburn, WA. This position works full-time in the office, providing hands-on support and leadership to staff and clients alike. As a Case Planning and Support Specialist, you’ll be the go-to expert for clients navigating challenging life circumstances and the public systems designed to support them. This is the perfect role for someone who can read between the lines, build trust quickly, and connect individuals to the right mix of services, at the right time. You’ll assess eligibility for multiple assistance programs, develop tailored case plans, and coordinate with partners across healthcare, housing, employment, and more. Every day is varied. Every decision matters. You’ll need excellent judgment, a strong grasp of policy, and the ability to manage complexity with care.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree; AND Twelve 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 long-term care services.
• Equivalent education/experience: Experience examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information, will substitute year for year, for education and experience; AND Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
• Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.
• Maintain expertise in the WorkFirst program and working knowledge of eligibility for all public assistance programs.
• Proficiently utilize all computer programs in use by Community Service Division.
• Frequently review data found in the state's computer systems to make accurate decisions.
• Correctly determine eligibility and deliver services to qualified individuals.
• Stay calm under pressure, and effectively manage the stress of the job.
• Seek clarification of rules, policies and procedures from supervisor or lead when appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)/WorkFirst parents on an on-going basis in order to promote and assist families in achieving economic self-sufficiency.
• Develop Individual Responsibility Plans (IRP), and reviews, plans, monitors, and evaluates parents needs, activities, and progress.
• Refer parents to contractors, other agency services, community organizations, or CSO social service specialists for assessment or specialized services
• Conduct orientation for new and returning WorkFirst parents
• Screen parents for possible barriers such as: domestic violence, substance abuse, special assistance, family planning needs, physical or mental health issues, etc.
• Develop, revise, monitor and update parent Individual Responsibility Plans which constitutes the basis for a parent's participation in WorkFirst and outlines the services and activities required for the parent to move toward self-sufficiency
• Provide support services to TANF parents in their efforts to obtain employment, their success in achieving employment, and their efforts to improve their employment status
• Identify, analyze parent's circumstances, abilities and refer to community resources and WorkFirst contractors to remove barriers to employability; or when appropriate, refer parents to WorkFirst Social Service Specialists for assessment or specialized case management; or parents claiming DCS Good Cause to Social Service Specialists.
• Use e-JAS to manage caseload, keep components current and accurate, and maintain the highest level of full time WorkFirst participation possible.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the WorkFirst rules and program and consults WorkFirst Manual when questions arise.
• Determine each parent's eligibility and appropriateness for Diversion Cash Assistance through evaluation of current or potential income sources including child support, employment and other financial alternatives.
• Monitor, maintain and update e-JAS case records.
• Evaluate and address Equal Access.
• Schedule and coordinate case staffing.
• Participate in home or alternate site visits to evaluate situations and conduct assessments of vulnerable and disabled applicants, recipients and/or children when the client(s) is unable or unwilling to come into the CSO due to lack of understanding, non-compliance, or physical or mental disability.
• 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.
• Conduct interviews in the office, parents' homes or other remote locations when needed and by phone to determine eligibility for CSD administered programs.
• Determine accurate benefit amounts.
• Provide benefits following the guidelines of federal and state funding sources and federal immigration law;
• Process change of circumstances and determine effect of reported changes on continuing eligibility.
• Input and receive data on multiple automated systems (ACES, EJAS, SSPS, Internet, Support Enforcement Maintenance System [SEMS], Electronic and Benefits Transfer Program (EBT), maintain confidentiality of automated client data.
• Duties require extensive and specialized financial knowledge as well as ability to interpret public laws and policies and ability to make independent decisions.
• Take action necessary to ensure that limited English proficient individuals receive properly translated forms and translation services from state certified, contracted translators and interpreters.

Benefits

• Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.
• Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level