Benefit Programs Specialist I/II

Virginia Department of Social Services; Florida; On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Social Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist I to train under supervision and learn eligibility determination for financial assistance, food assistance, medical programs, and other social services.

This entry-level role emphasizes interviewing, data collection, and using VDSS systems; after training, progression to Specialist II with increased responsibilities and salary is anticipated.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with related training and work experience or equivalent training/experience.
• Ability to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits using regulations and guidelines.
• Experience providing customer service and interviewing to gather information.
• Proficient in operating a computer and agency software.
• Experience with Benefit Programs training or related coursework preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to determine eligibility for assistance.
• Explain temporary assistance programs and reasons for need.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversion.
• Evaluate data for accuracy and substantiation.
• Compute assistance plans.
• Determine need for and amount of allowances for special items.
• Evaluate education, work experience, and social factors.
• Evaluate employability and potential income sources.

Skills

Interviews techniques

Mathematics

Communication

Data collection

Computer skills

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Additional training

Equivalent training/experience

Tools

VaCMS

MMIS

Agency software

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. Title Description- Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits using regulations and guidelines.

Experience providing customer service to the public including the ability to interview and gather information.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software to research, scan and retrieve data, create and manipulate reports to establish, process, and maintain case records.

High school diploma supplemented with experience in benefit programs and completion of required Benefit Programs training or any equivalent combination of training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in benefit programs evaluating and processing SNAP, and Medicaid cases.

Experience with VaCMS, MMIS, or any VDSS agency related software programs.

Experience working with populations with limited English proficiency.

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Experience working effectively and successfully within a team.

Special Requirements:

Applicants will be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search and DMV/driving record check. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

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

Driving record and valid license must be submitted before actual start date if being considered for employment.

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

Employee must be willing to assist Family Services with care of high acuity foster care youth.