The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our Human Services Benefits Program Specialist position.
General Statement of Duties:
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.
A Human Services Benefits Program Specialist determines and re-determines eligibility of individuals and families for one or more federal, state, and local financial assistance programs including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Medicaid for families, children, the elderly and disabled, and nursing home/community based care;
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Auxiliary Grants (AG); General Relief (GR) for unattached children; and Energy Assistance; interprets and explains policies pertaining to financial assistance programs.
Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards. Unusual or difficult situations are referred to a supervisor. Work performed is reviewed for accuracy, clarity and completeness. The Human Services Benefits Program Specialist requires the ability to use independent judgement to determine eligibility of individuals and families for assistance, by interpreting law and policy, and by evaluating social and economic factors as they relate to eligibility, without supervisory guidance.
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. Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations. Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits. Working knowledge of eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies. Working knowledge of interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation; Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software; Demonstrated ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. Demonstrated ability to 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. Demonstrated ability to 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.
Two-year college degree in a related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Some work experience using Virginia state systems. Fluent & Bilingual in both English and Spanish.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
