Benefit Programs Specialist I

187-Warren Dept Of Social Services; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

187-Warren Dept Of Social Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I in a full-time role. The position trains under supervision to determine eligibility for various social services programs and progresses to full-performance level after training and approval.

The role emphasizes interviewing, data collection, and calculating assistance plans, with opportunities for advancement within the department’s compensation framework.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with additional training or related work experience.
• Strong interviewing and data-collection abilities.
• Proficiency with personal computers and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determine continuing eligibility.
• Explain temporary assistance programs and reasons for assistance.
• Process applications for financial assistance and explain client responsibilities and program availability.
• Evaluate data for completeness and accuracy, and substantiate where needed.
• Compute and evaluate assistance plans and special circumstance allowances.
• Assess factors like education, work experience and employability.
• Maintain case records and produce reports using automated systems.

Skills

Interviewing

Communication

Data entry

Office software

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Office software

Job description

Hiring Range: $35,656.50 to Commensurate with Experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

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 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.

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.

Preferred Qualification-

Experience processing TANF Applications