Benefit Programs Specialist I/II

Virginia Department of Social Services; Fork Union (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services is seeking a dedicated Benefit Programs Specialist to interview applicants and determine eligibility for benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, and other public assistance programs.

This role may be filled as Benefit Programs Specialist I or II depending on training and experience; earlier levels involve supervision and training, with progression to full-performance after successful completion of the program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience or equivalent combination.
• Preferred qualifications include proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; prior human services experience; knowledge of Medicaid, SNAP and TANF; completion of Benefits training.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to determine eligibility for benefits.
• Explain program requirements and reasons for eligibility decisions.
• Process applications for financial assistance and other services.
• Evaluate data for accuracy and completeness.
• Compute assistance amounts and determine allowable items.
• Assess education, work experience, and employability factors.
• Maintain case records and safeguard client confidentiality.

Skills

Interviewing

Communication

Data analysis

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma

Related training/experience

Job description

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services is seeking a dedicated Benefit Programs Specialist who is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of adults, families and children.

The Benefit Programs Specialist is responsible for interviewing applicants and determining eligibility for benefits such as SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid and other public assistance programs.

This position may be filled as a Benefit Programs Specialist I or a Benefit Programs Specialist II, depending on the candidate's prior training and experience.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Prior work experience with a human services agency.
• Knowledge of benefit programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and/or TANF.
• Demonstrated proficiency in processing applications for Benefit Programs.
• Completion of required Benefits training.

Special Requirements:

All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, CPS and Criminal History Search. Driving record must meet agency standard. The search 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.

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