DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

Full Job Description

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialist Supervisor (PBS5) to join our team in Bellingham, WA.

This role directly supervises and manages workflow and quality assurance for a unit of Public Benefits Specialists (PBS) and Case Planning Support Specialists (CPSS) within a Community Services Office (CSO).

This role is a fundamental part of maintaining accountability and integrity of all CSD programs by providing quality control and insuring payment accuracy.

The position Influences outcomes and builds strategic partnerships with entities, such as other state agencies and local community offices for the delivery of human services to individuals, families and communities.

You’ll oversee staff responsible for WorkFirst orientations, eligibility determinations, case planning, and referrals to specialized services, ensuring accurate assessment of client needs, thorough review of complex documentation, and effective connection to community resources that help clients overcome barriers to employment. This position also requires access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and handling of personally identifiable information (PII). In accordance with the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between CMS and State-Based Exchanges, candidates must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Some of what you'll do:

• Supervise Public Benefits Specialists and Case Planning & Support Services staff, ensuring consistent, high-quality eligibility determinations, case planning and client support
• Lead staff conducting WorkFirst orientations and overseeing eligibility decisions for public assistance programs
• Oversee case planning and client assessments to ensure accurate identification of needs, barriers, and service pathways
• Guide staff in screening and referring clients to specialized services, including domestic violence support, mental-health care, substance-use treatment, and employment programs
• Provide and coordinate technical and professional training, including onboarding through the Public Benefits Specialist Training program
• Conduct regular unit meetings and 1:1 coaching sessions to support communication, performance, and staff development
• Communicate policies, procedures, agency goals, and performance expectations to ensure alignment and accountability
• Monitor, analyze, and assign workload and unit tasks to maintain efficient operations and meet performance standards
• Complete employee performance appraisals and annual evaluations to support growth and ensure service quality
• Ensure accurate review of complex documentation and support staff in making appropriate program and service decisions
• Assist customers with Apple Health applications by entering information into the Health Plan Finder (HPF) system when needed
• Administer and adhere to collective bargaining agreements and personnel rules in all supervisory actions
• Collaborate with leadership to analyze and improve policies and procedures, ensuring consistent and effective service delivery
• Maintain strong partnerships with community organizations to support coordinated services and improve client outcomes

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities that we're looking for:

• Ability to build effective working relationships with assigned subordinate lead workers, administration officials, management team, service staff, partner agencies, contract providers, and the public
• Effectively manage and maintain partnership relations with community partners
• Ability to analyze and evaluate performance data, identify trends, create reports, to communicate findings and issues to stakeholders
• Maintain working knowledge of eligibility for all public assistance programs
• Ability to assist others in interpretation and analysis of data

Who should apply?

One year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3 or 4.

OR

Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or a job providing staff support in public assistance eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.

Three years of 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: Related or closely related employment experience may substitute year for year for education.

Interested?
Apply today! Please include the following with your application:

• Current contact information for three professional references.

Questions? Email the recruiter at morgan.daggi@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 09181.

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.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security