Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06919

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: ESA

Job classification: PUBLIC BENEFITS SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Community and Social Services

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Supervisor to lead our team at Renton Community Services Office (CSO).

As a Public Benefits Supervisor, you'll directly supervise and manage workflow and quality assurance for a unit of Public Benefits Specialists and lead workers within the CSO. This role is a fundamental part of maintaining accountability and integrity of all CSD programs by providing quality control and insuring payment accuracy. The position Influences outcomes and builds strategic partnerships with entities, such as other state agencies and local community offices for the delivery of human services to individuals, families and communities.

Please note: This is an in-office position at Renton CSO.

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

See why people like you choose careers with DSHS:

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Some of what you'll do:

• Supervise a team of Public Benefits Specialists who determine eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance programs.
• Review case decisions and complaints to confirm staff gathered and documented information correctly.
• Set workload standards for the unit and track reports to keep cases moving on time.
• Train new staff using the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program and explain agency policies, rules, and procedures.
• Coach staff on customer service, community referrals, and program eligibility.
• Complete employee performance evaluations and build improvement plans when needed.
• Assist customers applying for Apple Health by entering their information into the Washington Health Plan Finder system.
• Hire new staff and administer the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community and technical colleges and organizations that support the BFET program.
• Audit case records and staff work to check for accuracy and consistency with state and federal rules.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities that we're looking for:

• Program knowledge: WorkFirst program experience is preferred - managing a caseload of WirkFirst clients, experience developing IRP's, conducting assessments, and monitoring participation. Understands public assistance rules, including the WAC, RCW, and federal Medicaid law, and applies them to daily casework decisions.
• Supervision: Leads, trains, and coaches a team while managing workloads, performance reviews, and corrective action when needed.
• Communication: Explains policies and procedures clearly to staff, resolves client complaints, and stays tactful and patient during difficult conversations.
• Analysis: Reviews performance data and case audits to spot trends and recommend improvements to how the unit works.
• Relationship building: Builds working relationships with community colleges, local organizations, and other state agencies.
• Equity and cultural competence: Works to identify and remove barriers to accessing benefits. Encourages use of supports such as translators when needed.
• Composure: Stays steady under pressure while managing shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and difficult situations.
• Technology: Uses internal software confidently to review data and support accurate decisions. Applications such as: ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, and the Washington Health Plan Finder.

Who should apply?

Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 4.

OR
Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 3 determining eligibility and providing case planning and/or case management for public assistance or long-term care services.

OR
5 years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least three years equivalent work experience. Examples of equivalent experience include but are not limited to:
- Providing eligibility for services or direct customer service serving historically marginalized communities,
- Experience examining/processing loan applications,
- Medical insurance or rehabilitation claims,
- Unemployment insurance claims, or
- Providing staff supervision, training, or lead work in case management, financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information,

AND
Satisfactory completion of the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Note:Out of state experience conducting, training, or supervising financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

This role will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and personally identifiable information (PII). Per the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State-Based Exchanges for the disclosure of health insurance affordability programs information under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

Interested? Apply today!

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions about this job? Please contact Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 06919.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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