DSHS DDA Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DSHS DDA), seeks a Public Benefits Specialist 5 to supervise a unit delivering complex eligibility determinations and financial case management. The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and program improvement to empower individuals with developmental disabilities.

The position involves office duties with an option to telework, and requires expertise in Medicaid and long-term care programs, plus strong team-building abilities.

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in public benefits or related programs.
• Strong knowledge of Medicaid financial eligibility and long-term care programs.
• Ability to develop and mentor staff and build effective teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive consultation about complex eligibility qualifications and financial guidance to clients.
• Establish unit workloads and quality standards.
• Control overall flow of work processed by the unit.
• Conduct or arrange timely technical and professional training for staff.
• Explain policies, rules, procedures, agency goals, and performance information to staff.
• Analyze, monitor, and assign unit tasks, workload, and performance standards.
• Recommend appropriate employee placements, corrective action, and reassignments.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with management regarding unit requirements and budget needs.

Skills

Leadership

Public Benefits knowledge

Communication skills

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ACES

Barcode

Job description

DSHS DDA Public Benefits Specialist 5

Developmental Disabilities Administration | DSHS (DDA) is seeking a great communicator, collaborator, and team builder for two supervisory-level opportunities within the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Bring your unique perspective and be an instrumental player in leading, supporting, and delivering solutions to the diverse programs and communities we serve in the State of Washington! This job is a great opportunity to support our mission to foster innovation and partner with people to have their foundational needs met DSHS Strategic Plan- Office of the Secretary Strategic Goals | DSHS.

In this role, you will supervise a unit of Public Benefit Specialists who are responsible for financial case management, including administering a variety of public assistance programs. These specialists provide intensive and expert level eligibility determinations and services to help empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives. The ideal applicant will possess skills to develop, cultivate, and evolve their team, helping their staff obtain job experience and knowledge in an environment that fosters growth.

Work duties will be performed in an office environment; with an option to telework.

See why people like you choose careers with DSHS:

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide comprehensive consultation about complex eligibility qualifications and skilled financial guidance to the individuals we serve
• Establish unit workloads and quality standards
• Control overall flow of work processed by the unit
• Conduct or arrange timely technical and professional training for staff
• Explain policies, rules, procedures, agency goals, and performance information to staff
• Analyze, monitor, and assign unit tasks, workload, and performance standards
• Recommend appropriate employee placements, corrective action, and reassignments
• Effectively manage and maintain relationships with community partners
• Coordinate with and make recommendations to local, regional, and agency management regarding unit requirements and budget needs

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities that we're looking for:

• Expert level knowledge of Medicaid financial eligibility and Long-Term Care programs, which include institutional care, and HCB Waiver Services; expert level knowledge about eligibility and document management systems such as ACES and Barcode
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to adapt to each person’s learning and communication styles

• Ability to create a positive work environment that supports collaboration, transparency, trust, and accountability
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Knowledge of management principles and operating methods
• Ability to exhibit tact, courtesy, and discretion in all work situations
• Ability to make critical decisions, based on the integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of federal and state public assistance rules, regulations, and processes as applied in Washington State, specifically governing the eligibility and administration of long-term care programs; state and federal medical assistance programs, Home & Community based waivers, institutional program eligibility, Community First Choice, Medicaid Personal Care, Hospice, Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities, Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, Aged, Blind, Disabled cash assistance, Basic Food, and WASHCAP
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing with management, peers, direct staff, clients, and the public
• Someone willing to have difficult conversations to find mutual resolutions and support for the issue at hand

Who should apply?

Professionals with a minimum of one year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or Public Benefits Specialist 4, including qualifying experience within the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

OR

Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience, including qualifying experience within the Developmental Disabilities Administration, examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or a job providing staff support in public assistance eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

Three years of out-of-state experience, including past qualifying experience within the Developmental Disabilities Administration, conducting eligibility determinations for public assistance to include financial, medical, and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

Note:Out of state experience conducting, training, or supervising financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience. Related or closely related employment experience may substitute year for year for education.

This role will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and personally identifiable information (PII). Per the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State-Based Exchanges for the disclosure of health insurance affordability programs information under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

Interested?

Please include the following in your application:

• Current chronological resume
• Cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position, while describing your skills and experience that make you the best person for the job
• Three professional references with current contact information. One of the references must be your current supervisor

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions about this job?

Please contact [e-mail] and reference job number 07270.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Ne... Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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