Benefit Programs Specialist 3/4

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.

 

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) – 

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.