DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
State of Washington is seeking a Case Planning and Support Specialist to guide clients through complex public benefits and to develop tailored plans that address barriers and support employment goals.
The role requires deep eligibility knowledge, policy fluency, and the ability to coordinate with healthcare, housing, and job training partners while maintaining detailed case documentation and adhering to state and federal regulations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as PBS2 or equivalent eligibility determination experience.
- Experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs is required.
- Trauma‑informed case planning and strong policy knowledge are essential.
Responsibilities
- Assess eligibility for cash, food, and medical programs and develop tailored case plans.
- Coordinate with healthcare, housing, employment, and other partners to align services.
- Maintain accurate case notes in multiple systems and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Provide outreach, home visits, and client advocacy as needed.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Description
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 Everett Community Service Office.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Professionals with 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
- 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.
- 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.
- Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
- Work schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
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.
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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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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