Benefit Programs Specialist I

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Franklin (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services in Virginia is seeking an entry-level Benefit Programs Specialist I. Under close supervision, you will be trained to determine eligibility for various social services programs and will progress to a full-performance Specialist II after training and approval.

The role involves interviewing clients, explaining programs, processing applications, evaluating data, and maintaining case records, with emphasis on confidentiality and sound judgment in stressful

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma with additional training and related experience.
• Broad knowledge of social services eligibility and public assistance programs.
• Strong math skills to calculate percentages and formulas.
• Proficient computer and office software usage.

Responsibilities

• Conducts interviews to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Explains program requirements and reasons for eligibility.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities.
• Evaluates data for completeness and accuracy; substantiates information.
• Computes assistance plans and determines need for allowances.
• Evaluates social factors and employability; identifies income sources.

Skills

Interviewing

Communication

Data gathering

Data analysis

Education

High school diploma + training/experience

Tools

Office software

Job description

Title Description-

Benefit Programs Specialist I represents the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to full-performance Benefit Programs Specialist II with a corresponding salary increase as indicated by the local department's compensation plan. Benefit Programs Specialist I is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist II by the latter's performing all the assigned eligibility duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) -

• Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility;
• Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
• Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;
• Computes assistance plans;
• Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items;
• Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and

• Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge-

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skills-

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Abilities-

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Education and Experience-

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations, economic and basic human behavior, financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outline by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation. Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software; Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts and medical professionals in person and on the phone; interview, gather information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case record, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner un sometimes stressful situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Use of computer software and completion of required Benefit Programs trainings OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employees must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.