DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay

Free ORCA card

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Auburn, WA is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist 4 to lead PBS staff in processing cash, medical, and food benefits while ensuring compliance with federal and state rules. The PBS4 will audit, coach, and train others, manage complex eligibility determinations, and collaborate with partners to improve service delivery.

The role requires deep knowledge of Washington's public assistance programs, strong analytical and communication

Qualifications

• Eligibility expertise evident in Washington’s public assistance programs.
• Policy fluency with WAC, RCW, and internal manuals.
• Analytical ability to interpret complex data and documentation.
• Clear, respectful, and empathetic communication.
• Calm and grounded under pressure when serving distressed individuals.
• Ability to adapt to shifting programs and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Assigns work to PBS staff processing cash, medical, and/or food benefits.
• Audits/reviews work and reports findings to supervisor on progress.
• Detects error trends through audits to identify training needs.
• Performs complex duties in establishing eligibility and policy interpretation.
• Reviews cases and analyzes actions for accuracy; contacts staff/agencies as needed.
• Assists clients with Apple Health by entering data into HPF.
• Conducts intensive interviews to determine eligibility for benefits.
• Processes all case actions per federal and state requirements.
• Supports local office implementation of regional initiatives.
• Provides feedback to regional training staff on gaps.
• Verifies and establishes overpayments; completes referrals.

Skills

Eligibility expertise

Policy fluency

Analytical skills

Communication

Crisis navigation

Resilience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

12 months PBS3 experience

Public Benefits Specialist Training Program completion

5 years combined higher education/experience substitute

Job description

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

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

Description

The PBS4 serves as lead worker and is expected to possess a high level of proficiency in all public benefit programs. The position is responsible to audit, coach, train and guide lower level Public Benefits Specialists; also, performs case audits/reviews and observational audits. This position will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and Personal Identifiable Information (PII).

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Some of what you'll do:

• Assigns work to Public Benefits Specialist staff who process cash, medical, and/or food benefits
• Audits/reviews l work of Public Benefits Specialist staff. Conducts ongoing audits for new and experienced staff. Establish reports and recommendations to supervisor on staff progress
• Detects error trends through audits to identify training needs
• Performs more complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development
• Reviews cases and independently analyzes case actions for accuracy. Contacts staff, agencies and the community as necessary for clarifying information
• Assists customers with the process of applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF) system on behalf of the clients
• Conduct intensive interviews when necessary to determine eligibility for financial, Medical and/or food assistance benefits
• Process all case actions in accordance with Federal and State processing and accuracy requirements
• Supports local, office implementation of regional initiatives
• Provide feedback to regional training staff on training gaps
• Verifies and establishes overpayments and completes referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery

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
• 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
• 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’ (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.

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 (360) 725‑5810. 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 pot… 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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