Benefit Programs Specialist III/IV

Title Description- 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 with special training and proficiency in TANF and/or Long-Term Care program. 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. The Benefit Programs Specialist III is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist IV by the latter’s serving as a lead worker, providing guidance to other specialists, and supporting the supervisor by ensuring staff coverage, reviewing cases, and providing back-up supervision as required. Title Description- Benefit Programs Specialist IV represents the leadership level in the occupational group. Employees perform responsible lead work related to benefit programs. Employees are responsible for serving as lead worker and providing training and guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists. Employees serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up supervision of staff. Employees may provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. The Benefit Programs Specialist IV is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Supervisor by the latter’s spending a majority of time in supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues, problems, and evaluating the work of others. General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –
- Contacts vendors for services and ensures payments to allow for the restoration or continuation of services.
- Monitors efficacy, trends of programs, and completes seasonal, quarterly and yearly reports;
- Participates on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring volunteers, students and new employees, teaching classes, and conducting outreach;
- Reviews cases for correctness, identifies significant errors/problems in caseloads and determines if the errors/problems are with the section, unit or with an employee;
- Provides statistical data and other information to support budget requests; interviews clients who provide questionable or fraudulent statements and information and determines program eligibility;
- Documents data and information gathered and compares findings with established guidelines of program eligibility;
- Prepares reports regarding quality control and makes recommendations to the supervisor;
- Explains programs, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients, and conducts follow-up as needed;
- Carries a caseload of clients receiving public assistance that involve complex issues;
- Serves as a resource to staff and the public concerning public assistance programs and eligibility requirements;
- Answers questions related to policies and procedures; and
- Maintains records, prepares reports, and submits summaries and information as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- 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; and 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; 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; and 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. Minimum Qualifications: Please see minimum qualifications at website listed above.
Preferred Qualifications: Please see preferred qualifications at website listed above.
Special Requirements: Please see special requirements at website listed above.
Special Instructions to Applicants: Please upload Resume to be considered.