Virginia Jobs
Benefit Programs Specialist I
Virginia Jobs, Stony Creek, Virginia, United States, 23882
Hiring Range:
$32,415.00 to commensurate with experience
Full Time or Part Time:
Full Time
Additional Detail
Title Description-
Benefit Programs Specialist I represent the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs.
Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility; Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance; Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability; Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy; Computes assistance plans; Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items; Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income. Benefit Programs Specialist I is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist II by the latter's performing all the assigned eligibility duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) -
Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility. Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance. Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods. Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs. Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines. Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability. Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation; prepares reports and maintains client records. Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy. Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients. Explores other possible sources of income. Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers. Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed. Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and childcare services. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge-
Some knowledge of basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Skills-
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
Abilities-
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; meet deadlines, plan, organize and prioritize tasks; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations and analyze, interpret and apply complex federal, state law and regulations.
Education and Experience-
High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; prefer completion of requiredBenefit Programs training and experience with agency related software.
Considerable knowledge and use of automated eligibility systems, particularly the Virginia Case Management System (VACMS). Degree in Human Services or related field or a degree in any field with related human services experience.
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 (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. 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.
$32,415.00 to commensurate with experience
Full Time or Part Time:
Full Time
Additional Detail
Title Description-
Benefit Programs Specialist I represent the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs.
Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility; Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance; Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability; Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy; Computes assistance plans; Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items; Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income. Benefit Programs Specialist I is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist II by the latter's performing all the assigned eligibility duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) -
Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility. Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance. Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods. Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs. Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines. Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability. Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation; prepares reports and maintains client records. Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy. Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients. Explores other possible sources of income. Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers. Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed. Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and childcare services. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge-
Some knowledge of basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
Skills-
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.
Abilities-
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; meet deadlines, plan, organize and prioritize tasks; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations and analyze, interpret and apply complex federal, state law and regulations.
Education and Experience-
High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; prefer completion of requiredBenefit Programs training and experience with agency related software.
Considerable knowledge and use of automated eligibility systems, particularly the Virginia Case Management System (VACMS). Degree in Human Services or related field or a degree in any field with related human services experience.
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 (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. 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.