Representative Payee Specialist

Payee Specialist

We are Alpha Supported Living Services, a non-profit organization, we provide residential and community-based services to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Our primary objective at Alpha is to enhance the quality of life for each of our clients by aiding them in learning, personal development, and fostering increased independence. Since 1974, we've been dedicated to offering supported living, group home, community inclusion, and representative payee services, expanding our reach across King, Snohomish, and Spokane counties in Washington State. At Alpha, our commitment lies in treating every client with utmost dignity and respect while also valuing and nurturing the abilities of our employees to foster their professional growth.

Under the supervision of the Accounting Assistant, the Payee Specialist provides oversight and management of assigned clients' finances. This positions interacts with representative payee clients and must be familiar with the Social Security Administration guidelines. This position must also be familiar with the Guiding Values issued by the Developmental Disabilities Administration and seeks to act in accordance with those values and uphold the agency mission "to serve individuals with developmental disabilities by providing an array of residential and other support services that will result in maximizing the person's quality of life."

Day-to-Day

• Provide financial services that meet client needs and promote increased financial competence
  • Assist clients with bill paying, check writing and obtaining cash for spending; Support clients and assist them to pay their bills on time
  • Update client's Representative Payee Agreement at least once annually
  • Maintain and update client accounts using QuickBooks or other designated software; Make entries as financial activity occurs and keep account records current
• Obtain and organize all client receipts and deposit slips monthly; Submit by the 5th of the following month for reconciliation
• Arrange distribution of representative payee client checks at a convenient and public location at least semi-monthly
• Maintain accurate and organized financial files for each representative payee
  • Complete necessary financial reporting for Social Security, CAP, DSHS or other requesting agency, including the annual summary of income and expenses to SSA
  • Participate in, and assist with, the agency's annual Social Security Administration recertification

• Assist with the growth of the payee program
  • Distribute information to agencies that may refer clients
  • Act as a subject matter expert for all inquires

• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with clients, their families and friends, SSA Case Management and other service providers
  • Communicate frequently with appropriate personnel as related to representative payee issues or concerns
  • Regularly meet supervisor to review client finances and other agency matters

• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings and seminars; complete individual training requirements annually and maintain certifications and licensures, as required
  • Attend mandatory training to complete:
    • First Aid / CPR
    • Blood borne pathogens
• Mandated reporter
• Operate a personal vehicle on a regular basis; Maintain personal vehicle in a safe operating condition
  • Maintain certifications and licenses, as a condition of employment:
    • Washington State Driver's license and automobile registration
    • Automobile insurance that meets Washington State requirements
• Provide driver's abstract every 3 years or upon request from agency

Perform other duties as needed or assigned on a daily basis

Who we are looking for

• Basic knowledge of accounting principles and practices, banking and the reporting of financial data
• Able and willing to perform basic mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with or without a
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to meet the needs of the intended audience
• Able and willing to compile, code, categorize, calculate, tabulate, audit, or verify information or data
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of software commonly used to perform the essential functions of the position (Excel, QuickBooks, Outlook, )
• Demonstrated ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense and to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)

Job Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• HS Diploma/GED and at least four years of experience working in a similar role or
• Associate degree and at least two years of experience working in social services
• Valid Washington State drivers' license, current automobile insurance and qualifying driving record
• Background inquiry clearance from an authorized state agency

Starting Wage: $25.00 per hour

Wage Scale: $25.00 - $30.60 per hour

Benefits for Full-Time Employees (30 hours or more a week) include Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) (non-profit version of a 401(k)) with company match, Life Insurance, Tuition Savings Program, and Tuition Reimbursement. Employees working 34 or more hours a week are eligible for PTO accrual.

Please note: As of 10-18-21 all workers in Long-Term Care are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Travel Required: Yes. Driving to local SSA offices or the bank.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.