Benefits Program Specialist I/II

Summary

Minimum Qualifications: (Depending on qualifications, may be hired at I or II level)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 fluencyBPS I ($71,801.60 - $111,280.00 Annually):Education: Bachelor's degree in social sciences or other directly related field; plusExperience: One year of full-time experience in eligibility determination, employment, interviewing, social work, casework, or other closely related work; plusBPS 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; plusOne 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 VACMSVACMSE6002: Applications and Cases in VACMSVACMSE6003: Additional Data Collection ToolsVACMSE6004: Eligibility Determination Final StepsVACMSE6020: Intake & Data Collection in the VACMSVACMSE6040: Eligibility Determination Process & Eligibility ResultsVACMSE6050: Using the New Data and Populate ButtonsVACMSE6090: Tasks and RemindersVACMS7010: Viewing and Printing FormsVACMSC1002: VACMS Basics classroomSubstitution: 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/orBilingual in English/SpanishSpecial RequirementsBackground 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 recordAdditional InformationWork 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 BureauThe official title of this position is DHS Benefits Program Specialist I/IIThis 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.Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications: (Depending on qualifications, may be hired at I or II level)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 fluencyBPS I ($71,801.60 - $111,280.00 Annually):Education: Bachelor's degree in social sciences or other directly related field; plusExperience: One year of full-time experience in eligibility determination, employment, interviewing, social work, casework, or other closely related work; plusBPS 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; plusOne 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 VACMSVACMSE6002: Applications and Cases in VACMSVACMSE6003: Additional Data Collection ToolsVACMSE6004: Eligibility Determination Final StepsVACMSE6020: Intake & Data Collection in the VACMSVACMSE6040: Eligibility Determination Process & Eligibility ResultsVACMSE6050: Using the New Data and Populate ButtonsVACMSE6090: Tasks and RemindersVACMS7010: Viewing and Printing FormsVACMSC1002: VACMS Basics classroomSubstitution: 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/orBilingual in English/SpanishSpecial RequirementsBackground 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 recordAdditional InformationWork 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 BureauThe official title of this position is DHS Benefits Program Specialist I/IIThis 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.Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.#J-18808-Ljbffr