DSHS HCLA Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) HCLA seeks a PBS5 to supervise and guide eligibility determinations and financial guidance for Long-Term Services and Supports. You will support clients dependent on services, ensuring access to resources for safe living in communities.

The role is hybrid, reporting to the Home and Community Services office nearest residence to provide in-office coverage as needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public welfare programs, state and federal laws and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regs, policies and program procedures.
• Ability to supervise, train, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Ability to analyze management information, identify issues, and recommend improvements.
• Ability to manage high volume of work, prioritize demands, and maintain unit operations.
• Knowledge of Medicaid/Medicare programs, supervisory practices, interviewing techniques, and community resources.
• Strong communication and collaboration with staff, clients, partners, and management.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate employee performance, address issues, document, and resolve them.
• Manage staff leave and attendance, ensure policy compliance.
• Set workloads and quality standards, oversee unit workflow.
• Review activity data to monitor unit operations and performance.
• Identify training needs and support staff development.
• Enter and maintain information using multiple automated systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and develop hiring strategies.

Skills

Public welfare knowledge

Regulatory interpretation

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Workload management

Medicaid knowledge

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree + 3 years relevant experience

Job description

DSHS HCLA – Public Benefits Specialist 5

Location: Statewide, WA

Join our team as a Public Benefits Specialist 5 (PBS5) with the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), where you will play a critical role in helping vulnerable adults access essential Long-Term Services and Supports programs.

In this supervisory role, you will provide expert consultation on complex eligibility determinations, offer skilled financial guidance, and support clients who are financially and medically dependent on a broad range of services and supports. Your work will help ensure individuals receive the resources they need to live safely and with dignity in their communities.

This is a hybrid position. The candidate hired for this role will report to the Home and Community Services (HCS) office closest to their residence to provide in-office coverage as needed.

Some of what you'll do:

• Evaluate employee performance and address, document, and resolve personnel issues.
• Manage staff leave and attendance and ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Establish workloads and quality standards, ensure equitable work distribution, and oversee unit workflow.
• Review activity reports and use data to monitor unit operations and performance.
• Identify individual and unit training needs and support staff development.
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain information using multiple automated systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and develop effective hiring strategies.

What we're looking for:

• Knowledge of public welfare programs and applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and program procedures.
• Ability to supervise, train, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Ability to analyze management information, identify operational issues, and recommend improvements.
• Ability to manage a high volume of work, prioritize competing demands, and maintain effective unit operations.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare programs, supervisory practices, interviewing techniques, and community resources.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and professional judgment, with the ability to work effectively with staff, clients, community partners, and management.

Who should apply?

Professionals who meet one of the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:

• One year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or Public Benefits Specialist 4.
• A bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in one or more of the following:
  • Examining or processing medical insurance, rehabilitation, or unemployment insurance claims
  • Providing staff support in public assistance eligibility determination
  • Analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

Additional information:

• Three years of out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determinations for public assistance programs, including financial, medical, and food benefits, may be considered qualifying experience.
• Related or closely related professional experience may substitute year for year for education.
• Work schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at [e-mail] and reference job number #07898.

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.

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