Benefit Programs Specialist II

Benefit Programs Specialist IIWilliamsburg, Virginia, United StatesAdministrativeClosing at: Aug 29 2026 - 00:00 EDT830-Williamsburg Dept Of Social ServicesHiring Range: $50,242.00 to $58,860.00Full Time or Part Time: Full TimeAdditional DetailBenefit Programs include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF], VIEW, and Energy Assistance. Other programs, as assigned, may include Long-term Care, Auxiliary Grants [AG], Child Care, and Fraud Prevention. All positions are cross-trained, as needed, and workers may assume coordinating responsibilities.Essential Job Functions:Conducts interviews and collects information to assess applicants' eligibility for assistance programs to determine initial and ongoing eligibilityExplains benefit programs, available services, and client/applicant rights and responsibilities with clarityProcesses applications for financial assistance; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methodsInterprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programsMonitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances and adjusts benefit levels in accordance with policy guidelinesEvaluates the employability status of clients, explores potential sources of income, and computes assistanceRefers clients to service workers for additional support services; prepares reports and maintains accurate electronic client recordsIdentifies potential fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and substantiates its accuracy when necessaryCalculates special circumstance allowances to determine appropriate benefit levelsProvides case management benefit programs; processes renewals and interims, explains a variety of programs, such as employment services, child support services, and childcare servicesResponsible for emergency duties, including shelter duty or Emergency Operations Center staffing, in the event of a disaster, and services on a rotating duty roster for the duration of the eventPerforms other duties as assignedQualifications:Education and Experience:High School Diploma or equivalent; andOne (1) year of related work experienceSpecial Qualifications:Acceptable Criminal history, Child Protective Services, and DMV background checks, and drug screeningValid Virginia driver's licensePreferred Qualifications:Prior work experience in financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/redetermine eligibility for benefitsExperience with VDSS electronic case management system and search toolsBilingual (Spanish), skills with a competency to translate benefit program detailsKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge and understanding of local government, economic and basic human behavior issues, and financial assistance programs at the federal and state levelsKnowledge of computer hardware and software programsSkill in math and computation, with a high degree of accuracyAbility to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a broad spectrum of individuals, including, but not limited to, co-workers, individuals with disabilities, and elderly individualsAbility to understand, interpret, and implement policies in a timely and accurate fashionAbility to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systemsAbility to operate computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposesAbility to 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 dataPhysical Demands:The work requires the ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort to perform light work, typically involving some combination of balancing, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, walking and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 20 pounds), visual perception and discrimination, the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, perceive and discriminate color, and require oral communications.Environment:Work is regularly performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.Employees at all levels are expected to work effectively together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City's Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer