Benefits Specialist

Benefit Programs Specialist IIIBenefit 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 such as fraud or quality control case review. Employees in this class conduct the initial and ongoing eligibility determinations requiring advanced program knowledge, or provide quality control by examining cases completed by other eligibility workers for accuracy and uniformity. 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.General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only):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;Participates on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students and new employees, teaching classes, and conducting outreach;Reviews cases for correctness, identifies significant errors/problems in caseloads and determines if the errors/problems are with the section, unit or with an employee;Provides statistical data and other information to support budget requests; interviews clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determines program eligibility;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; andMaintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Knowledge: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; and interviewing techniques such as data collection, interrogation, and investigation.Skills:Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.Abilities:Demonstrated ability to: manage complex cases; read and interpret public policies and regulations sufficient to make decisions independently in a variety of public assistance program; train staff; speak in public, promoting agency programs; develop brochures and pamphlets and use audio-visual equipment; share learned information with co-workers; communicate effectively and diplomatically both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals in person and on the phone; 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, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports, and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations; and identify customers' needs and explore options to address these needs within the available community resources.Education and Experience:Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist II with additional related work experience in benefit programs OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.