Benefits Program Specialist I/II

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Benefits Program Specialist (BPS) to determine the eligibility of individuals and families for a variety of complex federal, state, and/or local financial assistance programs by reviewing applications, conducting client interviews, and collecting the necessary information to determine program eligibility. This position will have substantial client contact both on the phone and in person as well as frequent contact with internal and external sources to collect, confirm, and verify client information. Services are provided to families and individuals, many of whom are from diverse cultural backgrounds with limited English fluency

Major Job Duties Include:

• Performing in-depth evaluation of social and financial circumstances;
• Searching automated database systems to determine prior services provided;
• Explaining eligibility programs including SNAP, Medical Assistance and TANF, program parameters, and client's rights and responsibilities to clients and families;
• Referring clients to additional services to help meet needs;
• Interpreting complex regulations with frequently changing policies and procedures for issuing timely and accurate benefits;
• Connecting childcare families with vendors/providers;
• Completing service plans for childcare cases including establishing the need for childcare services; and
• Providing consumer education to assist parents in making informed choices about childcare.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate with individuals who have varied backgrounds, experience, language capabilities and needs;
• Flexibility to accommodate frequent changes in policy regulations and casework needs; and
• Ability to organize and analyze information, mathematical computation skills.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Minimum Qualifications: (Depending on qualifications, may be hired at I or II level)

BPS I ($71,801.60 - $111,280.00 Annually):

Education: Bachelor's degree in social sciences or other directly related field; plus

Experience: One year of full-time experience in eligibility determination, employment, interviewing, social work, casework, or other closely related work; plus

BPS II ($75,400.00 - $116,854.40 Annually):

Education: Bachelor's degree in social sciences or other directly related field.

Experience:

• One year of full-time experience in eligibility determination, employment, interviewing, social work, casework, or other closely related work; plus
• One additional year of full-time experience in eligibility determination for financial assistance, medical assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or other closely related public assistance programs within the Commonwealth of Virginia, to include proficiency working with the Virginia Public Welfare System (VaCMS), applying state regulations and requirements for determining benefit eligibility.

Licenses/Certifications:

BPSI-Completion of the following VaCMS trainings within 12 months of hire:

BPSII-Completion of the following VaCMS trainings prior to start date:

• VACMSE6001: Introduction to VACMS
• VACMSE6002: Applications and Cases in VACMS
• VACMSE6003: Additional Data Collection Tools
• VACMSE6004: Eligibility Determination Final Steps
• VACMSE6020: Intake & Data Collection in the VACMS
• VACMSE6040: Eligibility Determination Process & Eligibility Results
• VACMSE6050: Using the New Data and Populate Buttons
• VACMSE6090: Tasks and Reminders
• VACMS7010: Viewing and Printing Forms
• VACMSC1002: VACMS Basics classroom

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience can substitute for the education requirement.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following:

• Recent experience (no more than 2 years from application date) working in Virginia Public Welfare System applying state regulations and requirements by determining benefit eligibility;
• Determining eligibility for SNAP, Medical Assistance, including Long Term Care eligibility determinations, financial assistance or other closely related public assistance programs;
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia automated systems including VACMS, VAMMIS and other Virginia eligibility determination systems;
• Summarizing data using MS EXCEL; and/or
• Bilingual in English/Spanish

Special Requirements

Background check: A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

The candidates selected will be required to complete a State of Virginia Central Registry check.

Drivers License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent on a favorable review of the applicant's driving record

Additional Information

Work hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eligible for some Telework contingent upon workload and supervisor approval.

This announcement may be used to fill immediate and future vacancies within the Public Assistance Bureau and/or the Housing Assistance Bureau. Current vacancies exist within the Public Assistance Bureau

The official title of this position is DHS Benefits Program Specialist I/II

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.