DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 1-3
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 14
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: January 8, 2026 (6 days ago)
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ES Benefits Specialist 1: Shared Work/Virtual
State of Washington
Employment Security Department
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$49,428 - $66,372
per year
Type
Internship
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
January 16, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves helping workers and employers with Washington's Shared Work program, which supports unemployment insurance during tough times by processing claims, answering questions, and updating accounts through phone, email, or chat.
It's a customer service role focused on providing clear guidance and solving problems to keep the economy stable.
A good fit is someone patient, detail-oriented, and eager to learn who enjoys team collaboration and making a positive difference for people facing job changes.
Key Requirements
- Excellent customer service skills for handling high-volume inbound and outbound contacts via phone, email, chat, or other media
- Ability to identify customer needs, clarify information, research issues, and provide timely solutions professionally
- Experience resolving complex problems, exploring alternatives, implementing solutions, and escalating when needed
- Proficiency in updating unemployment insurance accounts, including PIN resets, address changes, and employer updates
- Skills in processing Shared Work applications, weekly benefits claims, and responding to web notices promptly
- Adaptability to participate in training, special projects, unit meetings, and collaborative team environments
- Commitment to accuracy, timeliness, fairness, empathy, and upholding program integrity in all interactions
Full Job Description
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This position is open to internal Employment Security Department employees only.
The ideal candidate for the ES Benefits Specialist 1 – Shared Work role is someone who is deeply committed to the Employment Security Department’s mission of ensuring equitable access to programs that strengthen Washington’s economic stability.
They bring a strong sense of purpose to their work, understanding how vital the Shared Work program and Unemployment Insurance services are to both employers and workers.
This candidate approaches every interaction with professionalism, empathy, and a dedication to helping individuals navigate complex systems with confidence.
This candidate excels in environments where accuracy, timeliness, and fairness are essential.
They are skilled at managing a wide range of UI claim types, including the most complex intake work, and consistently delivers high-quality service that upholds program integrity.
They are comfortable providing direct customer support, answering questions with clarity, and guiding customers through processes in a way that ensures equitable access for all.
Their communication style is patient, respectful, and solutions-oriented. Beyond day-to-day customer support, this candidate is adaptable and eager to contribute to broader team goals.
They are enthusiastic about participating in training, taking on special projects, and supporting assignments that strengthen the Shared Work program and UI services as a whole.
They thrive in collaborative environments, embrace continuous learning, and bring a mindset focused on service, accountability, and positive impact.
Ultimately, the ideal candidate is someone who takes pride in helping Washington’s workforce and employers maintain stability during times of change.
Requirements
Provide direct customer support for Shared Work Unemployment Insurance services for all claim types. This includes:
- Provide excellent customer service on a large volume of inbound and outbound customers contacts via phone, email, chat, or other media in a timely and accurate manner
- Identify customers’ needs, clarify information, research issues, and provide solutions in a professional, courteous, and timely manner.
- Resolve complex problems by clarifying issues; researching and exploring answers and alternative solutions; implementing solutions; escalating unresolved problems and communicating results to the customer and/or employer.
Provide direct customer support for Unemployment Insurance Shared Work program and services. This includes:
- Perform updates to claimant unemployment insurance accounts including PIN resets, address changes, and employer updates
- Respond to web notices both claimant and employer timely
- Process Shared Work paper and internet unemployment insurance applications and weekly benefits claims
Training, special projects and assignments. This includes:
- Attend training, unit meetings, and all staff meetings
- Complete special projects and assignments
- Provide assistance and/or back up to fellow employees as needed and/or directed
Qualifications
- 4 years of equivalent education/experience as described below
- OR 4 years of experience examining and/or processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, insurance claims, collection of insurance premiums, tax collection or providing staff support in financial eligibility determination
- OR A bachelor's degree in a health or social science, public administration or a related field.
Required equity competencies:
- The ability to take action to learn and grow
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
The required experience includes:
- Program Knowledge & Communication: Ability to explain program requirements and services.
- Claim Filing Assistance: Ability to guide claimants through the benefit claim process
- Claims Review & Documentation: Ability to review claims and obtain necessary documentation
- Data Clarification & Payment Correction: Ability to detect discrepancies and correct payments
- Claims Processing & Adjudication: Skill in processing and adjudicating claims
- Eligibility Determination & Case Management: Skill in evaluating eligibility and managing cases
- Problem Resolution & Communication: Skill in resolving issues and communicating outcomes
- Adaptability & Versatility: Ability to perform various tasks as needed
Preferred equity competencies:
- The ability to take action to learn and grow
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.
Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents.
Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field.
A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.
Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Additional Information
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship.
We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities.
Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.
Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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