DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4 - Lead Worker
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Yakima Community Services Office, part of DSHS, delivers food, cash and medical benefits to residents across the Yakima area. This PBS4 role leads a team of Public Benefits Specialists, assigns work, audits cases and coaches staff to strengthen skills and ensure accurate benefit determinations.
You will handle complex cases, resolve client complaints and assist with Apple Health applications, guiding the unit to follow program rules and maintain efficient workflows.
Qualifications
- Extensive knowledge of food, cash and medical benefit rules to make sound decisions.
- Leads, coaches and supports staff with clear feedback and consistent guidance.
- Identifies and corrects errors in data, calculations and case actions during audits.
- Gathers information, evaluates patterns and determines actions for cases and team performance.
- Explains complex rules and policies clearly in person, by phone and in writing.
- Maintains professionalism when assisting distressed clients and resolving tense situations.
- Manages multiple cases and assignments while meeting timelines.
Responsibilities
- Assign, coordinate, and monitor PBS staff processing cash, food, and medical benefits.
- Provide guidance on complex eligibility determinations and policy interpretation.
- Audit results help identify error trends and guide training.
- Verify and establish overpayments and refer to Office of Financial Recovery.
- Coach, train, and support staff for development and program compliance.
- Review and improve procedures to maintain efficient workflows.
- Resolve customer concerns and assist with eligibility issues and hearings.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Yakima Community Services Office provides food, cash and medical benefits to people across the Yakima area. Many of the people we serve are facing difficult circumstances. They rely on accurate and timely benefit decisions to meet their basic needs.
The Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) serves as lead worker for a team of Public Benefits Specialists. In this position, you'll assign work, audit cases and coach staff to build their skills. Audit results help identify error trends, guide training and improve office workflow. In the supervisor’s absence, the lead worker oversees the unit. This position also handles complex cases, resolves client complaints and assists clients with Apple Health applications. Through expert program knowledge and consistent guidance, you'll ensure the team carries out DSHS's mission well; to partner with people to access support, care, and resources.
- Assign, coordinate, and monitor the work of Public Benefits Specialist staff processing cash, food, and medical assistance benefits.
- Provide guidance on complex eligibility determinations, policy interpretation, and procedural implementation.
- Conduct audits and case reviews to ensure accuracy, identify error trends, and recommend corrective actions and training opportunities.
- Verify and establish overpayments and complete referrals to the Office of Financial Recovery.
- Coach, train, and support staff to promote professional development and program compliance.
- Review and improve procedures to maintain efficient workflows and consistent service delivery.
- Resolve customer concerns, assist with eligibility-related issues, and support administrative hearing preparation and case resolution.
- Program knowledge: Applies extensive knowledge of food, cash and medical benefit rules and procedures to make sound, independent decisions.
- Leadership: Guides, coaches and leads staff with clear feedback and consistent support.
- Accuracy: Identifies and corrects errors in facts, calculations and case actions during audits.
- Analysis: Gathers information, evaluates patterns and determines appropriate actions for cases and team performance.
- Communication: Explains complex rules and policies clearly in person, by phone and in writing.
- Composure: Remains professional with clients in distress and works to resolve tense situations.
- Organization: Manages multiple cases and assignments, handles interruptions and meets established timelines.
- Technology: Uses state eligibility systems and Microsoft Office to review data and record accurate case actions.
Those that have satisfactorily completed the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program OR similar out-of-state training/experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs.
12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
A bachelor’s degree or higher AND 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long-term care services.
Five 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
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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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.
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 non‑overtime 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‑rated 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 amount 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 non‑overtime 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‑rated 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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