DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a temporary Lead Worker in the ESA Public Benefits program to lead a team of Public Benefits Specialists at Pierce East, with duties in Tacoma and Puyallup. You will supervise, audit, coach, and ensure accurate eligibility decisions for cash, medical, and food benefits.

The role emphasizes staff development, policy interpretation, overpayment handling, and strong collaboration with agencies and clients throughout the application process.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and eligibility rules.
• Experience with public benefits programs and audits.
• Ability to coach staff and manage multiple cases.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assigning work to PBS staff who process cash, medical, and/or food benefits.
• Perform complex duties in establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development.
• Verify and establish overpayments and complete referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery.
• Audit and review the work of PBS staff.
• Establish reports and recommendations for supervisors surrounding staff progress.
• Detect error trends through audits to identify training needs.
• Serve as a job coach for staff.
• Maintain and review procedures for efficient workflow.
• Review cases and independently analyze case actions for accuracy; contact staff, agencies and the community as necessary.
• Use understanding of the administrative hearing process to help decide if a hearing can be settled prior to submission.
• Assist customers applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into HPF.
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints.

Skills

Lead staff

Audits

Coaching

Benefits processing

Customer service

WAC knowledge

HPF system

Education

Bachelor's degree

PBS3 experience

PBS Training

Tools

HPF system

Job description

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4 – Temporary Lead Worker

Elevate your career in a lead role that truly makes a difference! The Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD), has an opportunity as a temporary Public Benefit Specialist 4 (PBS4) to join our team at Pierce East in Puyallup but the work location will be in Tacoma, WA. This position will provide hands‑on support and leadership to staff and clients alike.

As a Lead Worker, you’ll take on a critical role in guiding and supporting a team of Public Benefits Specialists who process cash, medical, and food benefits. You will be responsible for assisting in assigning work, conducting thorough audits, and ensuring that both new and experienced staff maintain high standards in service delivery. By identifying error trends and providing targeted coaching, you’ll help shape the development and efficiency of the team.

In addition to assisting in leading a team, you’ll perform complex tasks such as establishing financial eligibility, interpreting rules, and developing procedures. Your expertise will also be crucial in verifying overpayments, making referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery, and reviewing cases for accuracy. You'll engage with staff, agencies, and the community to clarify information and support clients throughout their application process.

If you are an experienced professional ready to lead, mentor, and ensure the quality of public assistance services, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact within the Community Services Division.

NOTE: Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you'll do:

• Assisting in assigning work to Public Benefits Specialist staff who process cash, medical, and/or food benefits
• Perform more complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development
• Verify and establish overpayments and complete referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery
• Audit and review the work of Public Benefits Specialist staff
• Establish reports and recommendations for supervisors surrounding staff progress
• Detect error trends through audits to identify training needs
• Serve as a job coach for staff
• Maintain and review procedures for efficient workflow
• Review cases and independently analyze case actions for accuracy. Contacts staff, agencies and the community as necessary for clarifying information
• Use basic understanding of the administrative hearing process to review cases and to help decide if a hearing request can be settled prior to submission
• Assist customers in the process of applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF) system on behalf of the clients
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints

What we're looking for:

• Possess extensive knowledge of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and procedural manuals needed to determine eligibility for all programs administered by CSD
• Proficiently utilize all computer programs in use by the Community Service Division
• Frequently review data found in the State’s computer systems to make accurate decisions
• Interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy and responsiveness
• Independently plan and manage multiple financial cases or projects to be completed within specified timelines
• Stay calm under pressure, and effectively manage the stress of the job
• Work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, and be able to demonstrate flexibility in completing multiple assignments while meeting performance standards
• Must have regular and predictable attendance Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

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 services 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 analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information

AND

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

Interested?

Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
• A cover letter

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at [e-mail] and reference job number #07808.

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 fairness, access, and a 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.

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 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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Ne... 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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