Benefit Programs Specialist II

FHLB Des Moines; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus ($3,000)

Health, dental and life insurance

Retirement and savings plans

Holidays and paid leave

Job summary

City of Virginia Beach offers a Benefit Programs Specialist II position in the Human Services Department. The role includes determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid programs, and leading a unit with staff training duties.

Candidates will interview clients, verify information, apply policies, and maintain accurate records across multiple systems. A relevant Bachelor's degree and two years' experience are required, with a potential bonus for exceptional performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, business administration, accounting, or a related field and two years of experience as an Eligibility or other Social Services Benefits Worker.
• Experience determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, Families and Children Medicaid, and/or Aged/Blind/Disabled Medicaid.
• Ability to work with federal, state, and local policies and complex intake procedures.
• Leadership capabilities to support staff development and serve as a lead worker.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for eligibility benefit programs through face-to-face interviews and assessment.
• Provide guidance in crisis situations and help customers pursue available services.
• Document case findings and verify eligibility factors across multiple computer systems.
• Lead unit tasks, train new staff, and present to community groups when needed.
• Schedule activities, manage caseloads, and meet deadlines with accuracy.

Skills

Benefit Systems

Case Management

Eligibility Verification

Reporting and Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services, business administration, accounting, or a related field

Job description

Job Posting End Date:September 16, 2026Department:HUMAN SERVICESCompensation Grade:G23Compensation Range & Starting Salary:Pay Range: $51,979.20 - $80,995.20Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualificationsJob Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):NoScheduled Weekly Hours:40About Us:Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is seeking talented Benefit Programs Specialist II's (BPS II) to join the Eligibility Benefits Program Division. Candidates will perform tasks related to the determination of eligibility for eligibility benefit programs; implement effective caseload management techniques; assess the customer's need for services; participate in staff and program development; and serve as a lead worker within a unit.Qualified applicants will be considered for BPSII Intake, Ongoing, Floater, or Special Projects roles within the department.Duties:Conduct face-to-face interviews in a professional manner with customers to determine eligibility for eligibility benefit programs using strong interpersonal skills and established interviewing techniques.Assess customer needs, evaluate and verify information obtained and apply appropriate federal, state, and local policies and procedures within prescribed time frames with a minimal number of errors, overdue applications, and case reviews.Provide guidance and direction in crisis situations.Appropriately defuse emotions and foster customer readiness to use available services and pursue self-sufficiency.Collect, organize, evaluate, and verify documentation and data to determine eligibility for eligibility benefit programs; document case findings accurately to reflect customer's situation and to substantiate verification of all eligibility factors; initiate and update data in multiple computer systems accurately and in a timely manner.Interpret and apply complex federal, state, and local policies.Provide leadership to the unit by assisting in supervisory functions including training of new staff, while modeling a high standard of performance.Conduct presentations to community groups to increase public awareness of agency programs.Maintain and update appropriate records and management reports using computer skills and documentation which reflect accurate accounting of caseload responsibility.Schedule activities, establish priorities and comply with deadlines using effective time management and organizational skills.Participate in appropriate training sessions to enhance job performance; effectively assist the supervisor with training of staff and in making presentations to community groups.Effectively serve as a lead worker and carry out designated responsibilities professionally, accurately and in a timely manner. Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pmAnd here's the exciting part - the selected candidate will qualify for a $3,000 hiring bonus!Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0.$500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.$1,000 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.$1,500 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and Paid Leave.Additional requirements:• DMV Transcript: No• CDL: No• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No• CPS Check: No• Physical: No• Respirator: No• Psychological Screening: No• Polygraph: No• At Will: NoMinimum Requirements:Minimum Qualifications: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in human services, business administration, accounting, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as an Eligibility or other Social Services Benefits Worker determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, Families and Children Medicaid, and/or Aged, Blind, or Disabled Medicaid; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to six (6) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.Skills:Benefit Systems, Case Management, Eligibility Verification, Reporting and AnalysisWorking Conditions:Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P11328.pdfOfficial Job Descriptions:To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=EVRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.