Working Healthy Benefits Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: March 12, 2025

Required documents uploaded by: March 12, 2025

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About the Position

Who can apply: External (Open to Anyone)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $22.19
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0242319)

Benefits Planning and Assistance: Provide individualized consultation to assist individuals with disabilities in determining how work will impact current benefits and improve financial independence and self-sufficiency through benefits planning. This consultation includes collecting and verifying specific information related to Federal and State programs, income, resources, health insurance, work expenses, and work incentives. Assess the potential impact of employment or increased hours or income on benefits. Assess the adequacy of health care coverage that may be offered and provide options. When necessary, develop a written benefits plan for the individual. Provide guidance to access services, or other agencies. Provide information on Federal, State and local programs available to the individual/Medical Representative/Guardian/Conservator to assist them in making an informed decision. HIPPA and PHI policies must be adhered to.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Technical Assistance/Program Maintenance: Provide appropriate contact to ensure ongoing program eligibility for WH and the STEPS Pilot. Act as liaison between stakeholders. Identify concerns regarding policy and advocate for change, if necessary. Negotiate and advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities to support consumer choice and employment within the intended spirit of the Working Healthy program and the STEPS Pilot. Follow-up on member concerns as needed. Provide documentation and follow-up of significant activities pertaining to eligibility/maintenance/assistance for program and pilot participants and stakeholders. Participate in ongoing training events designed to maintain current information and knowledge base of benefit programs. Responsible for continued awareness of current policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to Social Security and other work incentive programs. Regular participation in Benefits Specialists Team meetings and, as deemed necessary, regional office meetings. Participate in internet/virtual correspondence for support, question and answer, and feedback with team members. Provide information for research and Pilot reporting needs. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel of stakeholder agencies.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High School, GED
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Six months of experience in planning, implementing and monitoring activities relevant to the agency's programs. A bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Education, Human Services or a related field may be substituted for the required experience
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree - Any area of study - college credit and community work history can be considered
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Basic math skills with emphasis on creative problem solving
  • Data entry and managing database information
  • Strong ethics including confidentiality and conflict of interest
  • Awareness and understanding of issues pertinent to people with disabilities
  • Ability to gather information in a variety of ways and recognizes when additional information is needed
  • Experience with private programs such as health insurance which impacts people with disabilities
  • Knowledge of federal/state/local programs including eligibility criteria, benefits offered, operations
  • Experience reading complex governmental regulations
  • Experience involving knowledge of medical terminology related to disabilities
  • Experience gathering information through an interview process
  • Experience working independently and prioritizing assigned work
  • Six months of working with people with disabilities
  • Experience with employment support programs for people with disabilities
  • Experience working with KanCare

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Tracey Benson

Email: Tracey.N.Benson@ks.gov

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.