DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 1-3

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay (King County)

Free ORCA card for transportation

Job summary

State of Washington in Seattle is hiring a Public Benefits Specialist to process eligibility for Financial, Child Care, SNAP and Medicaid programs. Training provided, with on-site work at the Capitol Hill Community Services Office.

This entry-level role offers a clear pathway in public service, with opportunities to grow as you complete the training and progression steps.

Qualifications

• Four years in a customer service job with public contact or staff support in financial eligibility determination such as examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, or unemployment insurance claims.
• One year of equivalent, out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance (financial, medical and food benefit programs).
• Ability to learn and use various computer programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in diverse or difficult situations, including calming others and assisting underserved populations.
• Can work with complex technical regulations and analyze complex situations.

Responsibilities

• Process applications for initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for Financial, Child Care, SNAP and Medicaid programs.
• Conduct intensive interviews and independently determine eligibility.
• Gather and review data, applications, and verification for each benefit program.
• Process all applications and case actions per federal/state requirements based on household income and size.
• Explain program requirements and procedures to clients and answer questions about benefits.

Job description

Public Benefits Specialist 1-3

Economic Services Administration's Community Service Division has an exciting entry-level position as a Public Benefits Specialist, with training provided. This role involves working on-site at our Capitol Hill Community Services Office located in Seattle, WA. When you work for us, your compassion shows at work every day, helping the lives of your fellow Washingtonians. This full-time career can be a gateway to a rewarding profession in public service.

Those hired into the Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 training plan with ESA CSD can expect a minimum monthly salary of $4,517(Range 43, Step G). This salary will increase as the employee successfully progresses in their training. Projected timelines and ranges for this progression are shown below.

Salary Progression in Training Steps:

• Public Benefits Specialist 1: $4,517.00 Step G – $5,111.00 Step L (6 months)
• Public Benefits Specialist 2: $4,746.00 Step F – $5,506.00 Step L (6 months)
• Public Benefits Specialist 3: $5,240.00 Step G – $5,928.00 Step L

We look forward to welcomingdedicated peoplewhomeet theminimumrequirements listed belowand are eager to make a difference.See why others like you have chosen a career with us:

Some of what you will do:

• Using internal software, learn to process applications forinitialand on-going eligibility determinations for Financial, Child Care, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid Assistance programs.
• Conductintensive interviews and independentlydetermineeligibility.
• Gather and review data, applications,and verification for each benefit program as it relates to each person's circumstances.
• Process all applications and case actionsin accordance withfederal andstate requirements based on household income and size.
• Explain program requirements, application procedures, and verification needs, as well as answer questionsregardingbenefits or available services to clients.

Howyou'llgrow

A career in public service can be demanding yet rewarding. Your customers come from diverse backgrounds and speak many languages. There is a lot to learn, and classroom training is a big part of the beginning.We'llbe with you every step of the way.

We're looking for applicants who have the education and/or experience as listed below:

• Four years in a customer service job where the major duties involved public contact or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination such as examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, or unemployment insurance claims (College education can substitute year-for-year for experience). OR
• One year of equivalent, out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs.

Desired:

• Thrives in a standardized work setting.
• Is able tolearn andutilizevarious computer programs.
• Cancommunicate effectively with people in diverse ordifficult situations, includingcalming others, working with people who have communication challenges,assistingunderserved populations, and discussing confidential and unpleasant options, in person and over the phone.
• Can work with complex technical regulations and procedures and analyze complex situations.
• Refrainsfrom personal bias whendeterminingeligibility.
• Prioritizesand performsmultiple tasks in a busy office withnumerousinterruptions.

Note:

• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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? Please contact DSHS Recruiter Saleen Hernandez at [e-mail] and reference job number 09245.

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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