Benefit Programs Specialist II @ Virginia Department of Social Services

Clerical & Data Entry (2)
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Title Description- Benefit Programs Specialist I represents 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. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to full-performance Benefit Programs Specialist II with a corresponding salary increase as indicated by the local department’s compensation plan. 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) –

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.

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; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

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.

Title Description- Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs.

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;
Computes assistance plans;
Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment;
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 child care services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : Knowledge- Working knowledge of: practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies; 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 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; make mathematical computations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; 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.

Education and Experience- Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.