DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4 (Case Planning & Support Specialist)

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DSHS ESA – Case Planning and Support Specialist in Bellevue, WA, is a full-time role within the King Eastside Community Services Office. You’ll assess eligibility for cash, food, and medical programs, develop tailored case plans, and coordinate with partners across healthcare, housing, employment, and more.

You’ll review documents, authorize supportive services, maintain case notes in systems like ACES and eJAS, and navigate federal and state regulations.

Qualifications

• Eligibility expertise in Washington’s public assistance programs.
• Policy fluency with WAC/RCW and internal manuals.
• Trauma-informed case planning aligned to client context.
• Strong analytical skills for high-stakes decisions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed interviews to assess cash, food, and medical program eligibility.
• Facilitate program orientations and explain pathways clearly.
• Design and monitor personalized case plans addressing barriers.
• Refer clients to housing, employment, and health services.
• Coordinate with external agencies to align support plans.
• Review documents to determine appropriate program fit.
• Authorize and track supportive services like transportation and childcare.
• Maintain accurate case notes across multiple systems.
• Respond to audits and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Engage in outreach, home visits, and client advocacy.

Skills

Eligibility expertise

Policy fluency

Case planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Crisis navigation

Resilience & flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

12 months experience as PBS 3/eligibility

Tools

ACES

Barcode

eJAS

HPF

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 King Eastside Community Services Office in Bellevue, 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
• 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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Ne...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.