DSHS ESA Public Benefits Supervisor - Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington•King County – Renton, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Supervisor to lead our team at Renton Community Services Office (CSO). As a Public Benefits Supervisor, you'll directly supervise and manage workflow and quality assurance for a unit of Public Benefits Specialists and lead workers within the CSO. This role is a fundamental part of maintaining accountability and integrity of all CSD programs by providing quality control and insuring payment accuracy. The position influences outcomes and builds strategic partnerships with entities, such as other state agencies and local community offices for the delivery of human services to individuals, families and communities. This is an in-office position at Renton CSO. King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Requirements

Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 4.
OR Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 3 determining eligibility and providing case planning and/or case management 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 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.
AND Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
Note: 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.
Passing a criminal background check is required for this position.
Workplace type: Onsite
Work environment: In-office position at Renton CSO
Workplace type: In-office
Workplace type: Onsite

Nice To Haves

WorkFirst program experience is preferred - managing a caseload of WirkFirst clients, experience developing IRP's, conducting assessments, and monitoring participation.
Understands public assistance rules, including the WAC, RCW, and federal Medicaid law, and applies them to daily casework decisions.
Supervision: Leads, trains, and coaches a team while managing workloads, performance reviews, and corrective action when needed.
Communication: Explains policies and procedures clearly to staff, resolves client complaints, and stays tactful and patient during difficult conversations.
Analysis: Reviews performance data and case audits to spot trends and recommend improvements to how the unit works.
Relationship building: Builds working relationships with community colleges, local organizations, and other state agencies.
Equity and cultural competence: Works to identify and remove barriers to accessing benefits. Encourages use of supports such as translators when needed.
Composure: Stays steady under pressure while managing shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and difficult situations.
Technology: Uses internal software confidently to review data and support accurate decisions. Applications such as: ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, and the Washington Health Plan Finder.

Responsibilities

Supervise a team of Public Benefits Specialists who determine eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance programs.
Review case decisions and complaints to confirm staff gathered and documented information correctly.
Set workload standards for the unit and track reports to keep cases moving on time.
Train new staff using the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program and explain agency policies, rules, and procedures.
Coach staff on customer service, community referrals, and program eligibility.
Complete employee performance evaluations and build improvement plans when needed.
Assist customers applying for Apple Health by entering their information into the Washington Health Plan Finder system.
Hire new staff and administer the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Build and maintain partnerships with community and technical colleges and organizations that support the BFET program.
Audit case records and staff work to check for accuracy and consistency with state and federal rules.