DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 3

About the role

This role involves working on-site at our community services office located in South Bend, WA. When you work for DSHS's CSD, your compassion shows at work every day, helping the lives of your fellow Washingtonians. This full-time career can be a gateway to a rewarding profession in public service.

Responsibilities

• Help people applying for public assistance services through face-to-face interactions and over the phone.
• Determine eligibility for all public assistance programs by conducting interviews, obtaining information from individuals and third parties.
• Process applications received online and process all case actions using the appropriate computer programs.
• Learn to process applications for initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for Financial, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid Assistance programs.
• Conduct intensive interviews and independently determine eligibility.
• Gather and review data, application, and other documents, and verify for each benefit program as it relates to each person's circumstances.
• Process all applications and case actions in accordance with Federal and State requirements based on household income and size.
• Explain program requirements, application procedures, and verification needs, as well as answer questions regarding benefits or available services to clients.

Qualifications

• Four years in a customer service job where the major duties involved public contact or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination such as examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, or unemployment insurance claims.
• A bachelor's degree.
• A combination of years of the above experience and education totaling four years.
• One year of years of the above experience and education totaling four years.

Skills

• Learn and utilize various computer programs.
• Communicate effectively with people in diverse or difficult situations, including calming others, working with people who have communication challenges, assisting underserved populations, and discussing confidential and unpleasant options, in person and over the phone.
• Work with complex technical regulations and procedures, and analyze complex situations.
• Refrain from personal bias when determining eligibility.
• Competent to prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a busy office with numerous interruptions.

Pay

• Public Benefits Specialist 1: $4,093.00 Step G – $4,632.00 Step L
• Public Benefits Specialist 2: $4,299.00 Step D – $5,241.00 Step L
• Public Benefits Specialist 3: $4,740.00 Step E – $5,643.00 Step L

Schedule

• This position starts in-training during the first 15 or more months. During this time, the salary range outlined below is the standard salary progression at the completion of each phase in the training period.