DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington; Arlington (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card for transportation

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Case Planning and Support Specialist (PBS4) to join the Smokey Point team in Arlington, WA. This full-time, office-based role provides leadership to staff and clients, assessing eligibility and coordinating with healthcare, housing, and employment partners.

You’ll develop tailored case plans, connect clients to services, and navigate complex policies with empathy and sound judgment.

Qualifications

• Must have deep knowledge of Washington public assistance programs and ability to assess eligibility.
• Familiarity with WAC/RCW and internal procedures for legal soundness.
• Experience building trauma-informed case plans and coordinating services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed interviews to assess eligibility for cash, food, and medical programs.
• Facilitate program orientations and explain benefits clearly and empathetically.
• Design and monitor personalized case plans addressing barriers and employment goals.
• Refer clients to services such as housing, mental health, and job training.
• Coordinate with external agencies to align support plans.
• Review documents to determine program fit and authorize services.
• Maintain accurate case notes in multiple systems and ensure documentation.
• Respond to case audits and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Participate in outreach, home visits, and client advocacy as needed.

Skills

Eligibility expertise

Policy fluency

Case planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Crisis navigation

Resilience

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

PBS Training Program completion

Job description

DSHS ESA – Case Planning and Support Specialist

The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) – Case Planning and Support Specialist (CPSS) to join our team at the Smokey Point Community Service Office in Arlington, WA. This position works full-time in the office, providing hands‑on support and leadership to staff and clients alike.

As a Case Planning and Support Specialist, you’ll be the go‑to expert for clients navigating challenging life circumstances and the public systems designed to support them. This is the perfect role for someone who can read between the lines, build trust quickly, and connect individuals to the right mix of services, at the right time. You’ll assess eligibility for multiple assistance programs, develop tailored case plans, and coordinate with partners across healthcare, housing, employment, and more. Every day is varied. Every decision matters. You’ll need excellent judgment, a strong grasp of policy, and the ability to manage complexity with care.

When you work for DSHS, your compassion shows at work every day, helping the lives of your fellow Washingtonians. See why people like you chose careers with DSHS.

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct detailed interviews to assess eligibility for public assistance, including cash, food, and medical programs
• Facilitate program orientations and explain benefit pathways clearly and empathetically
• Design, monitor, and update personalized case plans to address barriers and support employment goals
• Refer clients to services such as domestic violence support, substance use treatment, mental health counselling, housing, and job training
• Coordinate with external agencies and service providers to align support plans
• Review and interpret complex documents—court orders, leases, medical notes—to determine appropriate program fit
• Authorize and track supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or work clothing
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes and documentation in multiple systems (ACES, Barcode, eJAS, HPF, etc.)
• Respond to case audits, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
• Participate in outreach efforts, home visits, and client advocacy as needed

What we're looking for:

• Eligibility expertise – You’ll need deep knowledge of Washington’s public assistance programs and the ability to assess and re-determine eligibility with accuracy.
• Policy fluency – Comfort navigating and applying WAC, RCW, and internal procedural manuals is essential to ensure services are legally sound.
• Case planning insight – Strong understanding of how to build service plans that are realistic, trauma-informed, and grounded in each client’s context.
• Analytical skills – You’ll be interpreting complex data and documentation to make fast, high‑stakes decisions—precision matters.
• Communication – Clear, respectful, and empathetic communication is key—especially when explaining tough decisions or diffusing high‑tension situations.
• Crisis navigation – This role regularly involves working with people in distress. You must stay calm, clear‑headed, and grounded in your professional boundaries.
• Resilience and flexibility – Programs shift. Priorities change. You need to adapt quickly, manage multiple tasks, and keep performance high without burning out.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long‑term care services.

OR

• 5 years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one year’s equivalent work experience. Examples of equivalent experience include but are not limited to:
• Providing eligibility for services or direct customer service serving historically marginalized communities
• Experience examining/processing loan applications
• Medical insurance or rehabilitation claims
• Unemployment insurance claims
• Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information

AND

• Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Additional information:

• Work schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• The hiring team will aim to schedule interviews beginning in December 2026.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at [e-mail] and reference job number #09362.

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. 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 (NebotiSM) 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.