Benefit Programs Specialist III (Petersburg)

Hiring Range: $34,752 to $70,469

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

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 such as Title IV-E, ICAMA and IV-E Medicaid, and for other social services ' benefit programs. 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.

General Work Tasks:

• Manages Title IV-E process in VaCMS.
• Responsible for management of all Title IV-E & Foster Care Medicaid Cases.
• Produces notices of actions as needed related to changes in the assigned caseload.
• Manages all Adoption Medicaid Cases.
• Manages all ICAMA Medicaid Cases.
• Serves as lead in Title IV-E internal audit procedures.
• Provides assistance to Family Services division in the administration of assistance to include the drafting, processing and review of case actions and purchases of services.
• Provides assistance as needed, and available, to the Benefit Programs division.
• Uploads all documentation related to the Title IV-E case entanglement process into appropriate systems (to include VaCMS and COMPASS).
• Serves as subject matter expert for the agency in regard to Title IV-E, ICAMA and IV-E Medicaid policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• Applicants may be subject to 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 (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
• This position is covered under Code of Virginia 563.2-1601.1 or 563.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Please refer back to your account for the status of your application.