Benefit Programs Specialist I

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

Job summary

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

Qualifications

• Some knowledge of basic human behavior and interviewing techniques.
• Strong MS Office skills, social perceptiveness and customer service.
• Ability to communicate clearly, gather information and evaluate situations.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional ethics.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Explain temporary assistance programs and assess need.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Compute assistance plans and determine allowances for special items.
• Evaluate data for accuracy and consistency.
• Refer customers to other resources and agencies.
• Educate customers on rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain case records and prepare narratives.
• Participate in Mass Care Center operations during emergencies.
• Perform other related duties.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Customer service

Interviewing

Data collection

Education

High school diploma + training

Job 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.

• 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;
• Verifyinginformation 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.

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

PREFERREDTRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bilingual experience is preferred.