Public Benefits Specialist 5 (PBS5) - Mount Vernon

State of Washington•Skagit County - Mt. Vernon, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Early Learning Child Care Subsidy Programs is seeking a public-service-oriented leader to supervise Public Benefit Specialists who determine eligibility for Child Care Programs. The Public Benefits Specialist 5 oversees staff in an on-site and virtual financial unit, hiring, supervising, and supporting the team to ensure accurate, timely, professional work and adherence to agency expectations for attendance, training, and performance. The role includes coaching staff, providing development opportunities, distributing work fairly and consistently through the Workforce Optimization (WFO) program, and directing work when that system is unavailable. The position supports delivery of Child Care eligibility services and DCYF’s mission to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes for Washington’s children, youth, and families. The position is designated as telework, subject to business needs; the incumbent must be able to report to the office when required, and the arrangement may change.

Requirements

Meet one of the following experience and education pathways: an equivalent combination of education and experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support, childcare, and equal-access benefits totaling four years; or one year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or 4; or a bachelor’s degree and three years of qualifying experience examining or processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, providing staff support in public-assistance eligibility determination, or analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.
For the first two pathways, six months of the required experience must be in a call-center environment, along with experience reading and interpreting Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and other procedural and policy manuals, or knowledge of departmental rules and requirements governing Working Connections Child Care.
Ability to take action to learn and grow.
Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Successfully complete formal training courses required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of appointment.
Provide a current resume and a cover letter describing how qualifications meet the position’s specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience and understanding of the department and division, including their policies and procedures.
Previous supervisory experience, such as interviewing, hiring, training, assigning or directing work, and evaluating staff.
Experience managing or administering large programs with significant monetary impact in a professional office environment.
Experience leading or managing projects.
Experience using a personal computer and applicable software to monitor performance expectations.

Responsibilities

Establish unit workloads and quality standards, review complaints and eligibility determinations, and control the overall flow of work processed by the unit.
Arrange timely technical and professional training for staff, including the agency’s Core Training for Public Benefits Specialists.
Conduct regular monthly unit and one-to-one meetings with staff.
Explain policies and procedures regarding Child Care Subsidy eligibility to staff.
Conduct or arrange timely technical and job-development training, and coach employees on customer service, community referrals, and CCSP eligibility.
Analyze, monitor, and assign unit tasks, workload, and performance standards to ensure smooth work flow.
Complete employee performance appraisals and annual performance evaluations.
Develop, implement, and track employee improvement plans to address poor performance.
Assist customers with applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF) system on their behalf.
Hire new staff and ensure they receive appropriate and timely training.
Submit periodic reports to the management team regarding unit operations.
Build, manage, and maintain partnership relations with community partners.
Review and analyze electronic and paper records and reports, audit work, and directly observe work to evaluate unit and individual performance and ensure accurate, timely completion in accordance with published rules and laws.
Record work-audit results in the automated audit system and employee records in accordance with statewide audit standards, collective bargaining agreements, and personnel rules.
Respond to community requests for information and address client complaints regarding Department actions.
Review and understand the Workforce Optimization program to distribute work fairly and consistently based on workload needs, and provide direction when the system is not functioning.