DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington; Aberdeen (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is recruiting for a PBS5 supervisory role in Aberdeen, WA. The PBS5 will lead a unit of Public Benefits Specialists and lead workers, ensuring accurate client eligibility determinations and adherence to agency policies.

The role emphasizes staff development, training coordination, performance management, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners to improve service delivery and program integrity.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or 4.
• Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in public assistance eligibility or related data analysis.
• Three years of out-of-state experience in financial eligibility determination will be considered toward experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervises a unit of Public Benefits Specialists 1-4.
• Conducts training for staff, including Public Benefits Specialist Training.
• Manages staff meetings and performance reviews.
• Analyzes policy and collaborates with supervisors to improve procedures.
• Maintains partnerships with community organizations.

Skills

Staff supervision

Training delivery

Staff development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist Supervisor (PBS5) to join our team at our Aberdeen CSO. This role directly supervises and manages workflow and quality assurance for a unit of Public Benefits Specialists and lead workers.

This role is a fundamental part of maintaining accountability and integrity of all CSD programs by providing quality control and insuring payment accuracy. The position Influences outcomes and builds strategic partnerships with entities, such as other state agencies and local community offices for the delivery of human services to individuals, families and communities.

This role 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:

• Supervises a unit of Public Benefits Specialists 1-4 who gather information and determine client eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Conducts or arranges for timely technical and professional training for staff, including the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training for new staff.
• Conducts regular and productive unit and 1:1 meeting with staff.
• Explains policies, rules, procedures and agency goals and performance information to unit staff.
• Analyzing, monitoring and assigning unit tasks, workload, and performance standards to ensure smooth flow of work.
• Completing employee performance appraisals and annual performance evaluations to review.
• Assist customers with the process of applying for Apple Healthcare by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF) system on behalf of clients.
• Administering and adhering to provisions in the collective bargaining agreement and personnel rules.
• Analyzing agency policy and practices and collaborating with other supervisors/management to develop, modify, or improve local policies and procedures.
• Effectively manage and maintain partnership relations with community partners.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities that we're looking for:

• Ability to build effective working relationships with assigned subordinate lead workers, administration officials, management team, service staff, partner agencies, contract providers, and the public.
• Effectively manage and maintain partnership relations with community partners.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate performance data, identify trends, create reports, to communicate findings and issues to stakeholders.
• Maintain working knowledge of eligibility for all public assistance programs.
• Ability to assist others in interpretation and analysis of data.

Who should apply?

One year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or 4.

OR

Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or a job providing staff support in public assistance eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

Three years of out-of-state experience, conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

NOTE:

Related or closely related employment experience may substitute year for year for education.

Questions?

Please contact [e-mail] or call Talent Acquisition main line [phone] and reference job number 09154.

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.

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) 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.

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