Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS3) - Vancouver

State of Washington; Vancouver (WA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Quarterly in-person meetings

DCYF benefits information

Job summary

Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Vancouver, WA is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist in a telework-enabled role with quarterly in-person meetings. The position supports families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits and requires careful eligibility determinations and compassionate customer service.

The role emphasizes structured, high-volume call center work, adherence to state and federal rules, and collaboration with applicants, third parties, and

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume call centers or customer service.
• Ability to determine eligibility for public programs and explain requirements.
• Demonstrated communication and empathy in client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intensive interviews to determine program eligibility.
• Process Child Care applications via Washington Connection and DMS.
• Analyze information to ensure accurate determination of benefits.

Skills

High-volume call center

Customer service excellence

Eligibility determination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Document Management System (DMS)

Social Services Payment System (SSPS)

Job description

Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS3)

Location: 501 SE Columbia Shores Blvd., Ste 350, Vancouver, WA 98661

Hybrid Work Schedule: This position is currently designated as a telework position. Telework arrangements are subject to business needs and may change. You must be willing to report to the office for quarterly in-person meetings, IT or equipment support, or if the position is transitioned to an in-office work arrangement.

Closes: Monday, October 19th, 2026

Salary: $4,517 - $5,928 monthly

Do you enjoy helping people navigate complex systems and connecting families with resources? If so, consider applying for the Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In-Training position with DCYF. In this role, you’ll support families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits through DCYF’s Contact Center in Vancouver. Your work helps families access affordable childcare that supports employment, education, and long-term stability while providing compassionate, knowledgeable customer service.

The Opportunity:

As a Public Benefits Specialist, you will provide direct customer service in a fast-paced call center, helping families apply for childcare assistance through Washington’s Child Care Subsidy Program. You’ll conduct interviews, review documentation, gather information from applicants and third parties, and determine eligibility based on state and federal rules. This role requires strong communication, sound judgment, and the ability to make independent decisions while navigating complex eligibility requirements. You’ll assess household circumstances, explain program requirements, and provide accurate, respectful guidance.

Successful candidates are comfortable in a structured, high-volume call environment and committed to detailed, customer-focused work that supports family stability and access to early learning opportunities.

Some of what you will do:

• Conduct intensive interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services, or continued eligibility for services when notifying the program of changes of circumstances for Child Care benefits.
• Process Child Care applications received from the Washington Connection online applications, in the Document Management System (DMS), and through interactive interviews.
• Analyze collected oral and written information to determine accurate benefits and continued program eligibility.
• Finalize Child Care applications and reapplications with information received and verified for accurate determination of eligibility.
• Refer clients to both mandatory and optional services, including to other agencies as required.
• Take actions necessary to ensure that limited English proficient clients receive properly translated forms and translation services from state certified, contracted translators and interpreters.
• Authorize Working Connections Child Care Subsidy payment to approved Licensed facility and Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Subsidy Providers through the Social Services Payment System (SSPS).
• Compute and initiate overpayments and client notifications when necessary.
• Issue reimbursements and benefits when appropriate to correct under issuances.
• Assist Child Care Providers with subsidy payment information and other requirements to receive subsidy.

Required Qualifications:

The goal class of this position is a Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3). We will also consider candidates at the PBS1 & PBS2 levels, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

Please review the qualifications for each level below and ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet at least one of the listed qualification options.

Salary by Range:

• Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1): (G) $4,517 - $5,111 monthly
• Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2): (F) $4,746 - $5,506 monthly
• Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3): (E) $4,980 - $5,928 monthly

Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1) Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degreeAND Experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or in a customer service job where the major duties involve public contact, or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination will substitute, year for year, for education.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2) Qualifications:

• Six (6) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1, and completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

OR

• One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs and completing the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3) Qualifications:

• Nine (9) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2.

OR

• Fifteen (15) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1 and satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits totaling eighteen (18) months.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

  Additional Screening Requirement:

  Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete an in-person math assessment as part of the initial screening process. Candidates who advance will receive approximately one week's notice regarding the assessment date, time, and location.

  In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

  • Demonstrated experience working in a high-volume customer service environment.
  • One (1) year of experience working in a call center environment.
  • Prior experience determining eligibility for public programs.

  Supplemental Information:

  The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

  The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

  This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

  Incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

  Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

  This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

  Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

  If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or email [e-mail]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

  DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.