DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 1-3
State of Washington
FreshPosted Feb 27
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Posted: February 27, 2026 (1 day ago)
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ES BENEFITS SPECIALIST 2-Internal Only
State of Washington
Employment Security Department
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$54,504 - $73,284
per year
Type
Internship
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
March 7, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves reviewing and deciding on unemployment insurance claims by researching details, interviewing people involved, and applying rules to ensure fair outcomes, while also providing helpful support to job seekers and employers through phone, email, and chat.
It's a good fit for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys solving problems with compassion, and thrives in a team setting focused on supporting workers' economic stability.
Current employees of the Employment Security Department with strong communication skills and a willingness to learn complex policies would excel here.
Key Requirements
- Strong analytical and investigative skills to research, gather, and analyze information for accurate adjudication determinations
- Ability to conduct investigative interviews with claimants, employers, and third parties
- Proficiency in applying complex laws, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures to process and adjudicate Unemployment Insurance claims
- Excellent customer service skills for handling high-volume interactions via phone, email, chat, or other media in a timely and professional manner
- Capacity to detect discrepancies, clarify data, resolve complex problems, and provide solutions through research and escalation when needed
- Commitment to precise documentation, continuous learning, and participation in training and team meetings
- Eligibility as a current internal employee of the Employment Security Department; multilingual abilities in addition to English are encouraged
Full Job Description
This position is open to Internal ESD Employees only.
This position will be eligible for telework full-time but may have to come into the office infrequently due to business needs.
The ideal candidate for the Employment Security Benefits Specialist 2 (ESBS2) role is a mission-driven professional who is committed to advancing the Employment Security Department’s vision of providing Washington’s workers with equitable access to programs and services that support economic stability.
They demonstrate a deep sense of responsibility for delivering accurate, timely, and compassionate service to claimants, employers, and partners across the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system.
The candidate demonstrates strong analytical and investigative skills, confidently applying complex laws and policies to make accurate adjudication determinations while providing direct customer service support for adjudication and accommodation needs.
They communicate with clarity and professionalism across high-volume phone, email, and chat interactions, offering timely assistance to both claimants and employers.
They excel at identifying discrepancies, resolving issues through thorough research and interviews, and maintaining precise documentation.
They embrace continuous learning, actively participate in training and team meetings, and contribute to a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
This opportunity is available to current Internal Employment Security Department staff ONLY and positions are located within the Claims Center Enterprise and may be connected to Lacey or Spokane.
We encourage those who fluently read, write, and speak in other language(s) in addition to English to apply.
Requirements
Provide direct customer service support for adjudication and accommodation. This includes:
- Research, gather, and analyze required information to make an accurate determination.
- Conduct investigative interviews with claimants, employers, and third parties.
- Apply complex laws, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures to process and adjudicate Unemployment Insurance Claims on a variety of issues.
- Detect discrepancies and clarify data through telephonic and electronic inquiries, correspondence, and interviews.
Provide direct customer service support for Unemployment Insurance services. This includes:
- Provide excellent customer service on a large volume of inbound and outbound customer contacts via phone, email, chat or other media in a timely and accurate manner.
- Assist employers and employer representatives contacting the department via the Employer phone line.
- 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.
To request a detailed position description, click here.
Qualifications
Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:
Option 1
- Five (5) years of equivalent education/experience.
Option 2
- One (1) year as an ES Benefits Specialist 1.
Option 3
- One (1) year of experience equivalent to the ES Benefits Specialist 1 with another state that administers insurance benefits programs.
Option 4
- Associate’s degree in a health or social science, public administration or a related field and
- Three (3) years of the required experience below.
Option 5
- Bachelor’s Degree in a health or social science, public administration or a related field and
- One (1) year of the required experience below.
The required experience includes:
- Eligibility Determination and Case Management: Skill in evaluating eligibility and managing cases.
- Claims Review and Documentation: Ability to review claims and obtain necessary documentation.
- Claims Processing and Adjudication: Skill in processing and adjudicating claims.
- Legal Interpretation: Proficiency in reading and interpreting administrative codes.
- Policy and Legal Knowledge: Ability to explain relevant laws and appeal rights.
- Program Knowledge and Communication: Ability to explain program requirements and services.
- Problem Resolution and Communication: Skill in resolving issues and communicating outcomes.
- Adaptability, Versatility and Task Management: Ability to perform various tasks as needed including those of lower-level positions.
Required 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.
- These positions require hardwired cable access to stable and consistent high-speed internet service. Internet services that provide data in batches such as satellite internet and cellular hot spots are not compatible with our Claims Center phone system.
- Internet speeds of 30mbps download and 2mbps upload and latency (ping) speeds under 50ms. To test your internet speed please go to: www.speedtest.net. YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR RESULTS FROM SPEEDTEST.NET WITH YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER.
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, Resume and speed test results 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
Ouragency's mission and valuesdrive 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 Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 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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