Benefit Programs Specialist II

Benefit Programs Specialist II

Under limited supervision, performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiple benefit programs administered by the City Social Services Department. Work involves interviewing applicants and explaining multiple benefit programs, assisting applicants in completing forms, determining and advising applicants of eligibility for assistance, and providing or facilitating access to human services. Detects and reports cases of fraud. Maintains a variety of forms and records. Participates as a team member to improve customer service, operations, resolution of problems, and planning and control of the unit's work.

Minimum qualifications include experience involving social service program work including interviewing and counseling; assisting applicants in completing forms, determining and advising applicants of eligibility for assistance, and providing or facilitating access to human services assistance. Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively 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; make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; 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. High School Diploma with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware and completion of required Benefit Programs training or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.

Preferred qualifications include Bachelor's degree in the Human Service field; experience in a local Virginia DSS agency with, SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid BP eligibility determination work within the last couple of years; experience processing cases in a local Virginia DSS agency with VACMS/DMIS within the last 2 years; working knowledge of Benefits Programs (BP) Intake and Ongoing case management policies and procedures; Long-Term Care Medicaid eligibility determination experience in a local Virginia DSS agency; multilingual ability.

Special requirements include a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification, and references, verification of education, credit checks relevant to employment and other checks requested by the hiring authority. Employee must be willing to work disaster related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special instructions to applicants: Applications are accepted online only through this posting. Only completed employment applications (complete with all periods of employment and unemployment, job duties, dates of employment, and job contact information) will be considered. 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. Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position.

Contact Information: View email address on click.appcast.io Suffolk Social Services - 135 Hall Avenue Suffolk, VA 23434

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer