Benefit Programs Specialist I

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Employer paid pension plan

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of Norfolk is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I (BPS I) to join the Department of Human Services. This entry-level role involves determining eligibility for various social services programs by interviewing applicants, analyzing information, and explaining rights and responsibilities under policy guidelines.

Essential duties include processing cases, maintaining records, and staying current with regulations while delivering reliable service within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Some college (6 months or more) preferred.
• Two years of paraprofessional or related experience with substantial public contact.
• Experience in interviewing, information gathering, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Processes cases by verifying customer statements, completing evaluations and review sheets, setting up records and files, keeping applicants informed, advising of alternatives, and maintaining electronic and hardcopy records.
• Keeps current by reviewing regulations and learning new ones.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations, exercises sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.

Skills

Interviews

Data analysis

Customer service

Education

Some College (6 months or more)

Job description

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The City of Norfolk's Department of Human Services (NDHS) provides a wide range of essential services to its citizens. These services are crucial in supporting the wellbeing of the community and ensuring that all citizens have access to the resources they need. NDHS is committed to providing such comprehensive support to its citizens.

The NDHS is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I (BPS I). The BPS I represent 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. The BPS I determines initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs and services by interviewing applicants, analyzing information, and explaining rights and responsibilities, and interpreting policies.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $49,152 - $56,403

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Processes cases by verifying customer statements, completing evaluations and review sheets, setting up records and files, keeping applicants informed, advising of alternatives, and maintaining electronic and hardcopy records.
• Keeps current by reviewing regulations and learning new ones.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations, exercises sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.

Education/Experience

Work requires education or training beyond high school graduation or equivalency which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training. Some College (6 months or more) preferred.

Two years of experience in a paraprofessional, clerical, or similar capacity including substantial public contact, interviewing, information gathering, and the analysis of data or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.
• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self‑development and education. Permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time classified, unclassified permanent, full‑time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

Note

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01
I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02
Do you have the legal right to work in the United States and, upon employment, can you provide documentation to verify this?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

04
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A".

05
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

06
How many years of experience do you have processing SNAP and Medicaid applications or performing paraprofessional or clerical duties involving public interaction, interviewing, data collection and analysis?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• 4-5 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

07
Please describe your experience in processing, interviewing, information gathering, and analyzing data to determine eligibility.

08
Do you have experience writing correspondence, reports, or summaries?

• Yes
• No

09
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe your experience writing correspondence, reports, or summaries. If you have no experience, please type "N/A".

10
Do you have experience resolving customer complaints and issues?

• Yes
• No

11
Please describe the skills you possess that are utilized to resolve customer complaints and Issues. If no experience, please type "N/A".

12
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

13
Please provide the name, email address, and phone number of your current or most recent supervisor.

14
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

15
A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

• I have been convicted of a felony
• I have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor
• I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

16
If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.

17
Are you a qualified military spouse? (An individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being a spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces)

• Yes
• No

18
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran
• Required Question