Benefit Programs Specialist III

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking highly qualified candidates with strong customer service skills, effective time management abilities, and exceptional computer skills to fill the position of Benefit Programs Specialist III. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills which will assist with the interpretation of policy and procedures, expertise in implementation, and excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. 

The Benefit Programs Specialist III classification is an advanced level, that is assigned advanced technical functions or projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions to include fraud and/or quality control case review. This position also offers the ability to telework a maximum of 50% of time.

• 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.
• Participates in Mass Care Center operations during incidents or declared emergencies as needed for the duration ofthe event.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
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.

Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite; social perceptiveness; conflict resolution; record keeping; basic mathematical computation; Reading comprehension; effective oral and written communication and customer service.

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.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist II (High school diploma with experience in benefit programs, and use of computer software and hardware) with additional minimum of 4 years of eligibility experience in human services benefit programs.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Completion of required Benefit Programs training

• Completed training and maintained proficiency in a minimum of six programs (e.g., SNAP, F&C, ABD, EA, or TANF), including specialized programs (e.g., LTC, AG, Refugee Assistance, General Relief)
• Experience in mentoring new employees.
• Bilingual experience is preferred. 

Salary : $54,808 - $82,701