Benefit Programs Specialist I

City of Richmond, Virginia; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VRS

Language Incentive

Referral Bonus

Tuition Assistance

Job summary

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Benefits Programs Specialist I role. This entry-level position trains under close supervision to determine eligibility for various social services programs, with a hiring range of about $50,356.80 to $58,000 annually.

Responsibilities include interviewing clients, explaining programs, processing applications, evaluating data, and updating case records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Explain temporary assistance programs and determine need for assistance.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion; explain client responsibilities, rights and program availability.
• Evaluate data for consistency and accuracy; substantiate as needed.
• Compute assistance plans; determine need for allowances for special circumstances.
• Evaluate education, work experience, and employability.
• Handle changes in client status; update information and adjust benefits.
• Refer customers to other resources and services.
• Educate customers on their rights and responsibilities.
• Prepare case narratives/documentation.
• Participate in Mass Care Center operations during emergencies as needed.
• Perform related duties; essential personnel may work during inclement weather.

Skills

Customer service

Reading comprehension

Oral and written communication

Interviewing techniques

Mathematics

Education

High school diploma

Equivalent training/experience

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Office Suite

Data entry

Job description

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y ? R espect. E quity. A ccountability. D iversity… YOU !!!

About

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• T uition Assistance Program

Description

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking highly qualified candidates with strong customer service skills, effective time management abilities, and exceptional computer skills to fill several vacancies for the position of Benefits Programs Specialist I. The Benefit Programs Specialist I position is an entry level position for employees who will work under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs.

The anticipated hiring range is $50,356.80-$58.000.

Duties include but are not limited to

• 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.
• Handle changes in client status by updating information on systems and adjusting benefits;
• Referring customers to other resources/services within the City and outside agencies;
• Educating customers on their rights and responsibilities;
• Verifying information through correspondence, telephone and in-person interviews;
• Preparing case narratives/documentation;
• Participates in Mass Care Center operations during incidents or declared emergencies as needed for the duration of the event.
• Performing other related duties as required.
• City of Richmond Department of Social Services employees are considered essential personnel may be required to work during inclement weather and times of declared emergencies.**

Qualifications, Special Certifications And Licenses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

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.

Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite; social perceptiveness; conflict resolution; record keeping; basic mathematical computation; Reading comprehension; effective oral and written communication and customer service.

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 and retrieve 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.

Minimum Training And Experience

• High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, And OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• None required

Preferred Training And Experience

• Bilingual experience is preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at [e-mail].

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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