DSHS HCLA Public Benefits Specialist 5

State of Washington; Washington; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card for transportation

5% premium pay

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist 5 (PBS5) in a hybrid role to oversee eligibility determinations and provide expert guidance on complex cases. You will supervise staff, manage leave and workloads, and collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure efficient service delivery.

The position involves evaluating performance, developing hiring strategies, and maintaining data across several automated systems.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or Public Benefits Specialist 4, OR a bachelor’s degree with three years of experience in eligibility or financial data analysis.
• Experience in examining or processing medical insurance, rehabilitation, or unemployment insurance claims is valuable.
• Experience providing staff support in public assistance eligibility determination or analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate ongoing employee performance.
• Identify, resolve, document, and implement personnel issues.
• Manage leave and attendance for staff.
• Establish unit workloads and quality standards and ensure equitable work distribution within the unit.
• Control the overall workflow of work processed by the unit.
• Review activity reports.
• Determine individual and unit training needs.
• Input and receive data using multiple automated systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Develop hiring strategies.

Skills

Communication skills

Active listening

Critical thinking

Professional judgment

Patience

Education

Bachelor's degree

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.

Please note: This is a hybrid position. The person 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 ongoing employee performance
• Identify, resolve, document, and implement personnel issues
• Manage leave and attendance for staff
• Establish unit workloads and quality standards and ensure equitable work distribution within the unit
• Control the overall workflow of work processed by the unit
• Review activity reports
• Determine individual and unit training needs
• Input and receive data using multiple automated systems
• Collaborate with internal and external partners
• Develop hiring strategies

What we're looking for:

• Ability to communicate and maintain working relationships with a wide range and level of staff
• Excellent listening skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to make professional judgments
• Ability to remain calm and demonstrate patience

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

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Morgan Daggi at [e-mail] and reference job number 09123.

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 (NEp...?) 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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