Benefit Programs Specialist III

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers in Winchester seeks an entry‑level leadership Benefit Programs Specialist to handle the most complex SNAP/Medicaid cases with independence, consulting supervisors when necessary.

The role mentors staff, supports supervisory case readings, and provides back‑up supervision while ensuring timely customer service and policy adherence.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with additional training/experience.
• Associates degree preferred.
• Valid driver’s license requested.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Completes required training on SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs.
• Registers applications and schedules initial interviews.
• Interviews applicants and determines eligibility.
• Maintains caseload and provides timely customer service per policy.
• Explains benefit programs and provides information/referrals.
• Engages clients and builds positive working relationships.
• Mentors new eligibility workers.
• Handles the most complex and sensitive cases.
• Provides back-up supervision and staff training.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Interviewing

Mentoring

Case management

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree

Job description

Hiring Range: $54,371.20 to $66,310.40

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

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 andprovides 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.