DSHS ESA DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking a DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2 in Olympia to handle claims processing, identity verification, and routing of inquiries. You will operate scanning equipment, review medical records, and support adjudicators to keep disability claims progressing efficiently.

The role requires strong confidentiality, attention to detail, and professional communication, with a in-office work setting in Olympia and opportunities to work

Qualifications

• One year of experience at the DDS Examiner Support Specialist 1 level or
• A combination of education and/or experience totaling three years performing administrative tasks in an office/customer service setting.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls, verify identity, assess needs, and provide information or direct inquiries.
• Review incoming claims for completeness and route to adjudicators.
• Retrieve medical records, process mail, and operate scanning equipment to maintain complete, accurate case files.
• Manage a caseload and assist the Administrative Law Judge by gathering and preparing documentation.
• Open, sort, and prioritize mail and review outgoing mail for accuracy.

Skills

Confidentiality

Professional communication

Adaptability

Accountability

Attention to detail

Organization

Time management

Technology skills

Working with diverse groups

Tools

DDS-specific systems

Scanners

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

DSHS ESA DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2

Every day, people across Washington wait to hear about their Social Security Disability claim. DSHS’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) depends on accurate information reaching the right person at the right time. As a DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2, you’ll typically be the first point of contact for many of those claims, and the work behind the scenes that keeps claims moving without unnecessary delay.

Description

DSHS ESA DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2

Every day, people across Washington wait to hear about their Social Security Disability claim. DSHS’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) depends on accurate information reaching the right person at the right time. As a DDS Examiner Support Specialist 2, you’ll typically be the first point of contact for many of those claims, and the work behind the scenes that keeps claims moving without unnecessary delay.

In this position, you’ll answer phone calls from claimants, attorneys, and other parties, verify their identity, and route calls to the right person. You’ll receive and review incoming claims from Social Security and state offices, check them for completeness, and assign them to adjudicators. Other duties include retrieving medical records, processing incoming mail, and operating scanning equipment to keep case files complete and accurate.

Please note: This is an in-office position, based in Olympia.

Some Of What You’ll Do

• Receive and review electronic and paper disability claims from the Social Security Administration and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, checking for accuracy and completeness, and take action to resolve issues based on established policies.
• Answer incoming calls, verify caller identity, assess their needs, and provide clear information about agency programs and individual claims, or direct them to the right contact.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between federal and state data systems by researching and correcting errors independently.
• Operate high-speed scanning equipment to process SSA claims files, and troubleshoot technical issues as they arise.
• Review the quality of scanned images and use independent judgment to prioritize, code, and place electronic medical and technical records in the correct files.
• Manage a caseload of Office of Hearings Operation claims and assist the Administrative Law Judge by gathering and preparing documentation.
• Print, sort, and prepare documents using office equipment, matching paperwork to the correct folders and files, and clear machine errors to keep jobs running smoothly.
• Open, sort, and prioritize incoming mail for staff and claims processing, and review outgoing mail for accuracy before it’s sent.
• Log cash receipts, separate medical billing statements for entry into the electronic claim system, and review Social Security’s paper Authorization to Disclose forms for accuracy before filing.
• Research and resolve problems with returned mail, and perform other related duties as assigned to support daily operations.

Who should apply?

Those with;

One year of experience at the DDS Examiner Support Specialist 1 level.

OR

A combination of education and/or experience totaling three years; experience in an office or customer service setting performing administrative tasks, answering telephones, operating office equipment, typing, and creating business correspondence/notes.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities We Are Looking For

• Confidentiality and ethics: Protects sensitive information and consistently upholds professional and ethical standards.
• Professional communication: Handles sensitive or stressful situations with respect, helping to maintain positive working relationships.
• Adaptability: Adjusts effectively to changing tasks, systems, and priorities while maintaining productivity and focus.
• Accountability: Follows through on responsibilities, meets deadlines, and maintains reliable attendance and performance.
• Attention to detail: Reviews work carefully to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established processes.
• Professional communication: Handles sensitive or stressful situations with respect, helping to maintain positive working relationships.
• Workplace respect and inclusion: Actively contributes to a respectful, inclusive, and culturally aware work environment; committed to learning and growth.
• Organization and time management: Prioritizes tasks effectively, manages workload, and follows procedures to meet expectations.
• Technology skills: Uses Microsoft Word, Outlook, internet browsers, and DDS-specific systems and scanners to complete tasks efficiently.

Supplemental Information

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 (Neb) 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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More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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Information: Although a degree/college education is not required for this position, if you have one you may be asked to provide transcripts. Having them ready to share if asked can help keep the process timely.

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