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Posted: March 4, 2026 (1 day ago)

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DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$4,653 - $6,259

per month

Closes

March 11, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves helping people in need by figuring out if they qualify for government aid programs, creating personalized plans to support their goals like finding work, and connecting them to resources for issues like domestic violence or mental health.

It's a specialist role in a community office in Tacoma, Washington, focused on reducing poverty and supporting families.

A good fit would be someone with experience in social services who is patient, detail-oriented, and skilled at communicating with diverse clients over the phone.

Key Requirements

  • Twelve months as a Public Benefits Specialist 3, or a Bachelor’s degree plus twelve months as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 in eligibility determination, or 5 years of combined education and equivalent experience including at least one year of relevant work
  • Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program
  • Exceptional understanding of eligibility processes and computer programs like ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, e-Jas, ICMS, and Washington Connections
  • Extensive knowledge of Washington Administrative Code (WAC), public laws, policies, and procedural manuals for CSD programs
  • Specialized financial knowledge to interpret documents, verify information, and make independent decisions on program eligibility
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong customer service abilities by phone
  • Out-of-state experience in financial eligibility for public assistance (financial, medical, food benefits) is considered equivalent

Full Job Description

Public Benefits Specialist 4 - Case Planning Support Specialist

The Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division has an exciting opportunity for a Case Planning and Support Specialist.

In this role, you'll serve at a specialist level and independently provide expert eligibility services and professional case planning for a broad range of individuals seeking specialty program services through Tacoma Pierce North Community Services Office.

You'll play a key role in helping CSD support ESA's efforts to reduce the number of individuals and families living in poverty in a way that eliminates disparities.

See why people like you chose careers with DSHS:




Some of what you'll do:

  • Conducts Workfirst Orientation for Community Services division programs
  • Determines client eligibility and appropriateness for public assistance programs
  • Screens and refers clients for more intensive services such as: Domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, employment and training services
  • Develops and updates case plans
  • 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 to determine appropriate programs and service options available to clients

What we're looking for:

  • 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 CSD
  • 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 Benefit Specialist 3.

Or

  • A Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long-term care services.

Or

  • 5 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 equivalent work experience.

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.

Note: Additional professional experience described above will substitute year for year for the required education.

Additional information:

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

This is not a remote position, the person hired will report in the office 5 days a week.


Interested? Apply today! With your application please include:

  • Three professional references
Questions? Email DSHS Recruiter and reference hiring project 01554.

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 a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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.

Additional Information

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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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/5/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5255566