DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

Location: Community Service Office, Mason, WA

Full-time, in-office position.

About the role

As a Case Planning and Support Specialist, you’ll be the go-to expert for clients navigating challenging life circumstances and the public systems designed to support them. This role involves assessing eligibility for multiple assistance programs, developing tailored case plans, and coordinating with partners across healthcare, housing, employment, and more. Every day is varied, and every decision matters.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed interviews to assess eligibility for public assistance, including cash, food, and medical programs.
• Facilitate program orientations and explain benefit pathways clearly and empathetically.
• Design, monitor, and update personalized case plans to address barriers and support employment goals.
• Refer clients to services such as domestic violence support, substance use treatment, mental health counseling, housing, and job training.
• Coordinate with external agencies and service providers to align support plans.
• Review and interpret complex documents—court orders, leases, medical notes—to determine appropriate program fit.
• Authorize and track supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or work clothing.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes and documentation in multiple systems (ACES, Barcode, eJAS, HPF, etc.).
• Respond to case audits, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Participate in outreach efforts, home visits, and client advocacy as needed.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of Washington’s public assistance programs and the ability to assess and re-determine eligibility with accuracy.
• Comfort navigating and applying WAC, RCW, and internal procedural manuals to ensure services are legally sound.
• Strong understanding of how to build service plans that are realistic, trauma-informed, and grounded in each client’s context.
• Ability to interpret complex data and documentation to make fast, high-stakes decisions.
• Clear, respectful, and empathetic communication, especially when explaining tough decisions or diffusing high-tension situations.
• Experience working with people in distress; ability to stay calm, clear-headed, and grounded in professional boundaries.
• Resilience and flexibility to adapt quickly, manage multiple tasks, and maintain high performance without burning out.

Qualifications

One of the following:

• 12 months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
• A Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long-term care services.
• 5 years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience, including at least one year of equivalent work experience. Examples of equivalent experience include:
  • Providing eligibility for services or direct customer service serving historically marginalized communities.
  • Examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, or unemployment insurance claims.
  • Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

AND satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Schedule

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.