Benefit Programs Specialist I

Socket.dev; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) seeks a Benefit Programs Specialist I to assess eligibility for social services under supervision, with training toward a full-performance Specialist II and a corresponding salary increase.

You will interview applicants, explain program options, process applications, and evaluate data to determine benefits, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and agency policies. This is a frontline role supporting families across the Commonwealth.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with additional training or related work experience.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Must be able to read, interpret and apply policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines continuing eligibility.
• Explain temporary assistance benefit programs and determine reasons and need for assistance.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion; explain client responsibilities, rights and program availability.
• Evaluate data for completeness and accuracy; compute assistance plans.
• Determine need and amount of allowances for special items; evaluate education, work experience, and social functioning.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

PC and office software

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

The applicant must be able to read, interpret and apply policies.

Special Requirements:

The applicant must be willing and able to assist with the establishment, setup, and operation of emergency shelters/centers in response to natural and/or man-made disasters or extreme temperatures. This may require reporting to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other times as necessary to respond to an emergency.

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.