Benefit Programs Specialist II

Additional Detail

BENEFIT PROGRAMS SPECIALIST II

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $50,426 - $79,320

DEPARTMENTAL HIRING SALARY RANGE: $50,426 - $62,315

JOB OPEN DATE: 2-14-2025

JOB CLOSE DATE: 2-23-2025

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under limited supervision, performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine eligibility of children who have been adopted or are in Foster Care. The candidate will determine eligibility for Medicaid as well as Title IV-E or Children’s Service Act in Suffolk’s Department of Social Services. In this role, the BPS will work closely with staff who provide services and supports to children in Foster Care and Adoptions, Finance, Benefits and VDSS IV-E and Foster Care liaisons. Work involves assisting applicants in completing forms, determining and advising applicants of eligibility, working across multiple data systems for both data entry and auditing. This position requires attention to detail, ability to understand and interpret state and federal policy, and an interest in being a part of a team that provides critical services for children and young people who have been adopted or are in Foster Care. This person detects and corrects errors in documenting and processing these cases. This person is required to be highly organized and committed to providing the highest levels of customer service to colleagues. The person will guide IV-E operations, assist in the resolution of problems and assists in planning and controlling the work of IV-E. This position is administrative and has minimal contact with children or their families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience involving social service program work including processing eligibility for benefits. This person must be comfortable in working in computer and web-based applications, and has to demonstrate a high level of organization and attention to detail.

The candidate will possess a 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 and payments, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems. 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; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources including identifying and addressing 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 and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics; 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.

PREFRRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prefer Bachelor’s degree in the Human Service field

• Prefer experience in a local Virginia DSS agency with, TANF, and/or Medicaid BP eligibility determination work within the last couple of years.

• Prefer experience processing cases in a local Virginia DSS agency with VACMS/DMIS within the last 2 years

• Prefer working knowledge of Benefits Programs (BP) Intake and Ongoing case management policies and procedures

• Prefer multilingual ability

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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, 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: vdssjobs@suffolkva.us Suffolk Social Services - 135 Hall Avenue Suffolk, VA 23434