Public Benefits Specialist In-Training (PBS1-3) - Moses Lake

State of Washington; Moses Lake (WA); Hybride; USD 50 000 - 66 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Moses Lake, WA is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist In-Training (PBS1-3). This hybrid role supports families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits, conducting interviews, and determining eligibility in a fast-paced call center environment.

You'll work closely with applicants to ensure accurate benefits, navigate complex rules, and provide respectful guidance while meeting business needs with in-office attendance 2–3

Qualifications

• One year of experience determining financial eligibility for public assistance.
• Bachelor's degree and experience examining/processing medical insurance or unemployment claims or customer service with public contact can substitute for education.
• Six months as PBS1 and completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Responsabilités

• Conduct intensive interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services or continued eligibility.
• Process Child Care applications from Washington Connections online and documents.
• Analyze information to determine accurate benefits and continued eligibility.
• Finalize applications and reapplications with verified information.
• Refer clients to mandatory and optional services as required.
• Ensure translations and interpreter services for limited English proficient clients.
• Authorize subsidy payments to approved providers through SSPS.
• Compute and initiate overpayments and inform clients accordingly.
• Issue reimbursements and benefits when necessary to correct errors.
• Assist Child Care Providers with subsidy payment information.

Connaissances

Customer service

Call center experience

Communication

Action to learn and grow

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Description du poste

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community”.

Job Title: Public Benefits Specialist In-Training (PBS1-3)
Location: Hybrid – 1651 Pilgrim Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837
Hybrid Work Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule; however, regular in-office attendance is required to meet business needs. Employees should anticipate working in the office approximately 2–3 days per week until they have demonstrated full independence and proficiency in performing the duties of the position.
Closes: Friday, November 13th, 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 Moses Lake. Your work helps families access affordable childcare that supports employment, education, and long-term stability while providing compassionate, knowledgeable customer service.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

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 degree AND 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 mission 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.

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/

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.

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