DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Washington; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services seeks a PBS4 Regional Auditor in Lynnwood for a hybrid role. Lead staff audits, train lower-level specialists, and perform complex eligibility reviews across cash, medical, and food benefits.

You will oversee case actions, ensure accuracy, and coordinate with agencies while supporting regional initiatives and HPF system use. Strong policy knowledge and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of Washington public assistance programs and ability to reassess eligibility accurately.
• Fluency with WAC, RCW and internal procedural manuals for compliant service delivery.
• Ability to interpret complex data and make precise eligibility decisions.
• Clear, respectful communication with clients and colleagues under stress.

Responsibilities

• Assign work to PBS staff processing cash, medical, and food benefits.
• Audit staff work and provide reports and recommendations to improve performance.
• Identify training needs through audit findings and partner with supervisors.
• Perform complex duties in financial eligibility determination, rule interpretation, and program development.
• Review cases for accuracy and contact staff/agencies for clarification as needed.
• Assist clients in applying for health coverage via HPF system.
• Conduct intensive interviews to determine eligibility for benefits.
• Process case actions per Federal and State requirements.
• Support regional initiatives and training efforts.
• Verify overpayments and refer to Financial Recovery.

Skills

Eligibility expertise

Policy fluency

Analytical skills

Communication

Crisis navigation

Resilience & flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

12 months PBS3 experience

Job description

DSHS ESA Regional Auditor

The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) – Regional Auditor to join our team at the Community Service Office in Lynnwood, WA. This position is hybrid, providing hands‑on support and leadership to staff and clients alike. We are hiring for multiple positions.

Description

The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) – Regional Auditor to join our team at the Community Service Office in Lynnwood, WA. This position is hybrid, providing hands‑on support and leadership to staff and clients alike. We are hiring for multiple positions.

The Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) serves as lead worker and is expected to possess a high level of proficiency in all public benefit programs. The position is responsible for auditing, coaching, training and guiding 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 personally identifiable information (PII). Per the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State-Based Exchanges for the disclosure of health insurance affordability programs information under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

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
• Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

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.

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 ( Nepotism ) 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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