Benefit Programs Specialist I

Commonwealth of Virginia; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia in Portsmouth is seeking a Benefits Eligibility Specialist to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs. Under general supervision, you will interview applicants, collect and verify information, and maintain electronic case files.

Responsibilities include processing applications, evaluating data for accuracy, identifying potential fraud, representing the agency in hearings when needed, and collaborating with colleagues to resolve client

Qualifications

• Interviews individuals to determine eligibility for benefits and programs.
• Collects and analyzes data from applicants and sources.
• Maintains electronic case files and reports.
• Identifies fraud and participates in hearings as needed.
• Works with departments to resolve inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for benefits and services.
• Process applications and maintain case files.
• Evaluate information for consistency and employability.
• Identify suspected fraud and prepare summaries.
• Attend trainings and coordinate with other agencies.

Skills

Interviewing

Data collection

Case management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hiring Range: $51,698.17 to $66,555.05

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for determining eligibility for public assistance programs and services to include securing and verifying case information. Reports to the Benefits Programs Supervisor.

ESSENTIALJOBFUNCTIONS

• Interviews individuals to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs;explains scope of multiple benefit programs and determines eligibility for assistance; explains applicant's rightsandresponsibilities; reads,interprets, and appliespoliciesandprocedures;securesandverifiesfinancial,socialandemploymentdata fromapplicant; assistsapplicants/recipientsincompletingrequiredforms,asnecessary.
• Processes applications by collecting and analyzing data received from customers and various electronic sources. Establish and maintain electronic case files by utilizing documentary evidence to substantiate case determinations while keeping customers informed of case status. Manages assigned cases by organizing workload, establishing priorities, ensuring that established deadlines are met, and prepares monthly reports.
• Evaluates information received from applicants/recipients and various other sources for consistency, accuracy and completeness; determines employability of client; explores possible sources of income for client, refers customers to resources to become self-sufficient.
• Identifies suspected fraud cases; prepares summaries of facts for fraud and overpayment and submit to the fraud investigator; represents the agency inhearings and court appeals, responds to state, federal and internal case review inquiries, reviewsprogramandpolicy manuals,andprepares reports as needed.
• Attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the agency on committees or task force groups. Makes service referrals within the department and to other agencies as needed and resolves a variety of customer’s concerns.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job:Has general knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing multiple benefit programs, as applicable. Has general knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of multiple benefit programs as administered through Social Services programs. Has general knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community. Has some knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with multiple benefit programs. Has some knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of public administration. Is able to use common office machines, including computers and electronic file maintenance programs. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of multiple benefit programs in terms understood by applicants/ recipients and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and discretion in contact with program applicants/recipients and customers, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

QualityofWork:Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work:Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under"EssentialJob Functions".

Dependability:Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

InitiativeandEnthusiasm:Maintainsanenthusiastic,self-reliantandself-startingapproachtomeetjobresponsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptabledirectionforthecompletionof workwithaminimumof supervisionandinstruction.

Judgment:Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occurand specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations.Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum oferrors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercisingjudgment.

Cooperation:Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of it. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified i.e., poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc.

RelationshipswithOthers:Sharesknowledgewithsupervisorformutualandcitybenefit.Contributestomaintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationshipswith department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully andeffectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintaingood will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interactseffectivelywithfellow employees,supervisor, programcustomers, professionals andthe public.

CoordinationofWork:Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for appointments, meetings and deadlines.

SafetyandHousekeeping:Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent and considerable experience collecting and reviewing documentation and information or case management; or or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities listed previously.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history and sex offender registry and Child Protective Services (CPS) background check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

Physical Demands

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements:Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines, which includecomputers, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, etc.Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionallyand/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.SedentaryWorkinvolves sitting mostofthetime,but mayinvolvewalkingor standing for extended periods oftime.

Data Conception:Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, orcompositionalcharacteristics (whethersimilartoordivergentfromobviousstandards)ofdata,peopleorthings.

Interpersonal Communications:Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchangeinformation.Includesgivinginstructions,assignmentsand/ordirectionsto subordinatesorassistants.

Language Ability:Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collectdata, establish facts,anddrawvalidconclusions.

Verbal Aptitude:Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral andwritten instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professionallanguages, includinglegal,medicalandinsuranceterminology.

Numerical Aptitude:Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; compute discount or interest.

Form/SpatialAptitude:Requirestheabilitytoinspectitemsforproperlength,widthandshape.

MotorCoordination:Requirestheabilitytocoordinatehandsandeyesrapidlyand accuratelyin using automatedoffice equipment.

ManualDexterity:Requiresthe abilityto handle a variety ofitems, office equipment, controlknobs, switches, etc.Musthaveminimallevels ofeye/hand/footcoordination.

ColorDiscrimination:Doesnotrequiretheabilitytodifferentiatebetweencolorsandshadesofcolor.

Interpersonal Temperament:Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress.

PhysicalCommunication:Requirestheabilitytotalkand/orhear:(talking-expressingorexchangingideasbymeansof spokenwords;hearing-perceivingnatureofsounds by ear).

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations. This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.