Benefit Programs Specialist I

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester Department of Social Services is seeking a staff member to handle applications for assistance, interview clients, and determine eligibility for State and local programs. The role includes maintaining caseloads, providing timely customer service, and informing clients about benefits and referrals.

Qualifications include a high school diploma with related training or experience; a preferred associate degree in social sciences, valid driver's license, and bilingual English/Spanish

Qualifications

• 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.
• Associates degree in social sciences or a related field is preferred
• Valid driver's license is preferred
• Bilingual Spanish-English is preferred
• Willing to participate in mandatory state training including Medicaid and SNAP

Responsibilities

• Completes required State and in-house training on SNAP, Medicaid, and other government programs
• Registers applications for assistance, executes system searches and schedules initial interviews
• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and makes eligibility determinations
• Maintains a caseload and provides timely customer service, in accordance with state and local policy
• Explains benefit programs and provides information and referral services to internal and external resources
• Engages client in a positive working relationship
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Customer service

Interviewing

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Winchester Department of Social Services. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency's city or county website/job board(s).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Completes required State and in-house training on SNAP, Medicaid, and other government programs
• Registers applications for assistance, executes system searches and schedules initial interviews
• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and makes eligibility determinations
• Maintains a caseload and provides timely customer service, in accordance with state and local policy
• Explains benefit programs and provides information and referral services to internal and external resources
• Engages client in a positive working relationship
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

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

• An Associates degree in social sciences or a related field is preferred
• Valid driver's license
• Bilingual Spanish- English is preferred
• Willing to participate in mandatory state training including Medicaid and SNAP

The City of Winchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by law.