Benefit Programs Specialist III

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Winchester Department of Social Services is seeking an entry-level leadership professional to manage eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, and related programs, operating with substantial independence and seeking supervisory input only in difficult situations.

Responsibilities include registering applications, interviewing applicants, determining eligibility, maintaining caseloads, and guiding new staff. The role emphasizes client service, program explanation, and collaboration with supervisors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with related work experience.
• Associates degree in social sciences preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred.
• Willing to participate in mandatory state training including Medicaid and SNAP.

Responsibilities

• Completes required training on SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs.
• Registers applications for assistance and schedules initial interviews.
• Interviews applicants, gathers information, and makes eligibility determinations.
• Maintains a caseload and provides timely customer service per policy.
• Explains benefit programs and refers to internal/external resources.
• Mentors new eligibility workers and assists supervisors with training.
• Handles the most complex and sensitive cases and provides back-up supervision.

Skills

Customer service

Interviews

Case management

Education

Associates degree in social sciences

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).

This is the entry-level leadership position in the Benefit Programs Specialist classification. It handles the most complex cases in SNAP, Medicaid, and/or specialty programs. The role operates with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory input only in unusually difficult situations.

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


• Serves as a mentor to new eligibility workers


• Works on the most complex and sensitive cases


• Serves in a leadership capacity and assists Benefit Programs Supervisors with case readings, staff training, and by providing back-up supervision of staff


• 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.