[Hiring] Benefit Programs Specialist III @Virginia Department of Social Services

Role Description

The Benefit Programs Specialist III represents the advanced level in the occupational group. Employees are assigned advanced technical functions or projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions, specifically advanced program knowledge for Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) and Long-Term Care (LTC). Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards. The most complex situations are reviewed with the supervisor.

The Benefit Programs Specialist III is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist IV by the latter’s serving as a lead worker, providing guidance to other specialists, and supporting the supervisor by ensuring staff coverage, reviewing cases, and providing back-up supervision as required.

This position could potentially be designated as full-time remote. Applicants must reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia or the State of West Virginia to be eligible for consideration. The preferred candidate will have significant experience in Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) and Long-Term Care (LTC).

• Contacts vendors for services and ensures payments to allow for the restoration or continuation of services.
• Monitors efficacy, trends of programs, and completes seasonal, quarterly, and yearly reports.
• Conducts interviews for specialty Medicaid, ABD and LTC, and SNAP applications and renewals.
• Reviews cases for correctness, identifies significant errors/problems in caseloads and amends inaccurate information.
• Refers cases that have been determined to have over issuance or under issuance to the Fraud Investigator for review.
• Documents data and information gathered and compares findings with established guidelines of program eligibility.
• Prepares reports regarding quality control and makes recommendations to the supervisor.
• Explains programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conducts follow-up as needed.
• Carries a caseload of clients receiving public assistance that involve complex issues.
• Serves as a resource to staff and the public concerning public assistance programs and eligibility requirements.
• Answers questions related to policies and procedures.
• Maintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures related to public assistance programs.
• Basic human behavior.
• Financial assistance programs sufficient to determine benefits eligibility.
• Human services programs and how each interrelates.
• The strategic planning process.
• Mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas, and averages to solve mathematical problems.
• Interviewing techniques such as data collection, interrogation, and investigation.

Requirements

• Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex cases.
• Read and interpret public policies and regulations sufficient to make decisions independently in a variety of public assistance programs.
• Promote agency programs and share learned information with co-workers.
• Communicate effectively and diplomatically both orally and in writing with a broad spectrum of individuals.
• Interview, gather information, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals.
• Determine a client’s ownership share in situations where multi-ownership exists.
• Assess client’s needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal, family, and cultural information.
• Use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records.
• Maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public.
• Identify customers’ needs and explore options to address these needs within the available community resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in benefit programs, completion of required Benefit Programs training.
• Program examples but not limited to: Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD), and Long-Term Care (LTC).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Special Requirements

• Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or fingerprinting.
• The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education, credit checks, and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
• Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Frederick County Department of Social Services only accepts applications submitted online through this posting.
• Mailed, faxed, hand delivered, and emailed applications will not be considered.
• Applications may be submitted online through this posting.
• This posting will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.
• This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application/resume.
• Please refer to your Local HR Connect account for the status of your application and this position.

Company Description

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have access to the best services and benefits available to them.