Benefit Programs Specialist I

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Culpeper County Department of Social Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I to determine eligibility for a range of government assistance programs and support clients through the intake process.

This entry-level role provides supervised training with potential advancement to Specialist II after completion of the training program and performance evaluation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with related work experience.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and ability to assess data.
• Basic math skills for calculating percentages and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Explain program details and determine ongoing need.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Evaluate data for completeness and accuracy, compute assistance plans.
• Assess employability factors and potential income sources.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Mathematics for percentages

Understanding of human behavior

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Office software

Job description

Hiring Range: $37,926.00 to Commensurate With Experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Title Description-

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.

Special Requirements-

All applicants are subject to employment verification and reference checks, verification of education, a DMV/driving record check, Central Registry check and criminal history check to evaluate for barrier crimes as described in the Code of Virginia§63.2-1719.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work inthe community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Employees must also meet local vehicle insurance requirements.

FLSA:

Employee Benefits

Benefits | Culpeper County VA

Culpeper Department Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.