DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

This position is located at the Pierce South Community Service Office in Tacoma, WA, working full-time in the office to provide hands-on support and leadership to staff and clients navigating challenging life circumstances and public assistance programs.

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

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

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet 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 to historically marginalized communities.
  • Examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance, or rehabilitation claims.
  • Unemployment insurance claims.
  • Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination or analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data.

Additionally, satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program is required.

Schedule

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

Benefits

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