DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist Supervisor (PBS5) to join our Central Sound Customer Service Contact Center's Specialized Medical Unit. You will be responsible for keeping your unit running smoothly and accurately. That means reviewing eligibility decisions, managing workloads, and making sure staff follow state and federal rules. When something is not working well, you will identify it and help fix it. This role also connects your unit to the broader mission of the department. You will work with community partners, attend management team meetings, and help shape how services are delivered across the region. The people your team serves count on this work being done right. This position has been approved to work a flexible/hybrid schedule based on business needs.

Requirements

Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 4.
Bachelor’s degree or higher AND 12 months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 4 determining eligibility and providing case planning and/or case management for public assistance or long-term care services.
Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least three years equivalent work experience.
Examples of equivalent experience include but are not limited to: 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, or Providing staff supervision, training, or lead work in case management, financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.
Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
Out of state experience conducting, training, or supervising financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.
Supervision: Strong supervisory and management skills, including workload coordination, staff training and development to ensure competing priorities are met and productivity and quality levels stay consistent.
Spenddown knowledge: Applies working knowledge of the Spenddown program to support staff in making accurate eligibility decisions and answering program-specific questions.
Policy knowledge: Reads and applies Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington state laws, federal Medicaid rules, and public assistance program manuals to daily work and staff questions.
Relationship building: Builds respectful, cooperative working relationships with a wide range of people, including staff, management, partner agencies, contract providers, and the public.
Analysis: Reviews data, identifies trends, and prepares reports and summaries to support informed decisions by management and staff.
Conflict resolution: Defuses tense or hostile situations calmly and professionally and helps staff do the same when working with clients who may be frustrated or in crisis.

Responsibilities

Supervises a unit of Public Benefits Specialists determining client eligibility for public assistance programs, including Spenddown and Alien Emergent Medical, ensuring compliance with state and federal policies.
Assign and monitor workloads to make sure work is completed accurately and on time.
Provide policy interpretation, technical guidance and training to staff: coach on customer service, community referrals and program eligibility.
Review eligibility decisions and audit staff work to ensure data gathering and documentation meet quality standards.
Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings with staff.
Explain agency policies, procedures, and performance expectations clearly to unit members.
Arrange and deliver technical training for new and existing staff, including required Public Benefits Specialist training.
Complete employee performance evaluations and develop improvement plans when needed.
Recommend corrective action, reassignments, and new hires as appropriate.
Administer collective bargaining agreement provisions and personnel rules within the unit.
Assist clients with applying for Apple Health by entering information into the Health Plan Finder system.
Respond to client complaints and community requests for information.
Coordinate with local and regional management on staffing, space, and budget needs.
Participate in supervisor, quality improvement, and management team meetings.
Submit regular reports on unit operations to the management team.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, medical providers and the Health Care Authority.