Public Benefits Specialist 4

Economic Services Administration (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for Public Benefits Specialists 4 to join our team in our Pierce South Community Service Office. When you work for DSHS's CSD, your compassion shows at work every day, helping the lives of your fellow Washingtonians. This job is a rewarding opportunity for a career in public service delivering essential services and safety net programs to our communities.

Some of what you'll do:

• Independently determines client eligibility and appropriateness for public assistance programs.
• Provides professional case management, assesses needs and develops service plans and referrals to appropriate programs and services for a broad range of clients seeking BFET, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other applicable public assistance programs.
• Performs more complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning, and procedural development.
• Identifies, analyzes and discusses client circumstances and refers to community resources and contractors to remove barriers and to support employment.
• Assesses the need for and authorizes appropriate support services.
• Analyzes and verifies complex documents and determines appropriate programs and service options available to clients.
• Collaborates with local organizations and stakeholders to enhance program outreach and effectiveness.
• Participates in home or alternate site visits to evaluate situations and conduct assessments of vulnerable and disabled applicants, recipients and/or children.
• Other duties as assigned.

What we're looking for:

• A genuine passion for helping others, coupled with the resilience to navigate complex and challenging scenarios.
• Exceptional understanding of eligibility, Community Services Division processes and appropriate computer programs (ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, e-Jas, ICMS, Washington Connections).
• Duties require extensive and specialized financial knowledge as well as ability to interpret public laws and policies and the ability to make independent decisions.
• Must possess extensive knowledge of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and procedural manuals needed to determine eligibility for all programs administered by Community Services Division.
• Must possess excellent communication skills both oral and written and provide outstanding customer service by phone.

Who should apply?

Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.

OR

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.

OR

Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one year’s equivalent work experience.

Examples of equivalent experience include but are not limited to:

• Providing eligibility for services or direct customer service serving historically marginalized communities.
• Experience examining/processing loan applications.
• Medical insurance or rehabilitation claims.
• Unemployment insurance claims.
• Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

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

Note: Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

Interested? Apply today!

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS.

We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please contact or call the main Talent Acquisition line at 360-725-5810 and reference job number 2025-01655 .

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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