DSHS ALTSA Public Benefits Specialist

Salary : $3,558.00 - $6,077.00 Monthly

Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

Job Type : Full Time - Permanent

Job Number : 2025-00529

Department : Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division : ALTSA

Opening Date : 01 / 29 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 16 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Salary Information : The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

DSHS ALTSA HCS Public Benefits Specialist 1, 2, 4 In-Training

Home and Community Services (HCS) is currently seeking multiple Public Benefits Specialists (PBS) in Eastern Washington to become part of the Application Assistance Unit. The AAU is a new unit with the primary purpose of providing HCS clients with the option to receive assistance with their Medicaid applications telephonically. This team will be located in Region 1, however, the assistance it provides is for clients statewide..

Home and Community Services is a division of the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), which promotes, plans, develops, and provides an array of long-term services and supports to people who have disabilities, are seniors, or have caregivers to maximize their independence, dignity, and quality of life. This is a telework position!

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs; Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you will do :

• Determine ongoing eligibility for Long-Term Services and Support programs, which include hospice, institutional care, and HCB Waiver Services
• Conduct intensive, confidential in-person and telephone interviews with clients, client representatives, attorneys, medical providers, and guardians; arrange accessibility, reasonable accommodations, or interpreters when necessary
• Recognize and recalculate incorrect payments of grants, food benefits, medical assistance, and Long-Term Services and Supports
• Provide professional case management
• Input and receive data using multiple computer systems
• Analyze written and oral information received and legal documents, which includes court orders, contracts, insurance policies, trusts, life estates, and promissory notes
• Interpret the Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington, procedural manuals, policies, and policy clarifications
• Use state-wide asset verification and real property database to evaluate the impacts of real property transfers, quit claims, and sales
• Respond to case audits and make corrections

How you will grow :

A career in public service can be demanding yet rewarding. Your customers come from diverse backgrounds and speak many languages. There is a lot to learn, and classroom training is a big part of the beginning. We will be with you every step of the way. We provide formal training both in the classroom and on the job to progressively advance within a 24-month period from a Public Benefits Specialist 1 to a Public Benefits Specialist 4. Those hired will be appointed to the appropriate level based on their experience and previous training. Advancement is based on completion of each step.

Who should apply?

Professionals with four years of combined higher education and / or equivalent experience.

Examples of equivalent experience include but are not limited to :

Satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Out of state experience conducting or supervising financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

Preferred skills, knowledge, and abilities :

The goal class for this role described above is for a Public Benefits Specialist 4. We may consider applicants at the PBS1 or PBS2 level, with a training plan to advance to a PBS4. Education and experience are the difference between qualifications at each level and are evaluated by the hiring team.

Salary Ranges :

Public Benefits Specialist 1 ($3,558.00 Step A - $4,632.00 Step L)

Public Benefits Specialist 2 ($3,999.00 Step A - $5,241.00 Step L)

Public Benefits Specialist 4 ($4,517.00 Step A $5,929.00 Step L)

Questions? Please contact OR call Talent Requisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference project number 00529.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity / expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits :

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note : If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note : Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and / or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note : Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

Do you have at least four years of college level education, or equivalent experience, or a combination of the two totaling four or more years?

Client services are provided by phone or in person Monday - Friday, and timely services are vital to this role. Please describe the type of customer service experience and duration you have in the following areas : unemployment insurance, social service programs, financial loans, benefit programs, insurance claims, medical claims, or debt recovery.

Required Question

Salary : $3,558 - $6,077