DSHS FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST 1, 2 or 3 (Eligibility Determination) - Washington State Government - Auburn, WA

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) , Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD), is recruiting to fill permanent Financial Services Specialist 1, 2, or 3 (FSS 1,2,3) positions within the Auburn Community Services Office.

This is an in-training position. Employees hired at the FSS1 or FSS2 level may progress to the next higher job class level upon successful completion of training.

Financial Services Specialist 1 (Range 36 $2,499-$3,229 monthly)

Financial Services Specialist 2 (Range 41 $2,806-$3,655 monthly)

Financial Services Specialist 3 (Range 45 $3,084-$4,036 monthly)

Duties
In this position you will:

• Conduct intensive interviews to determine eligibility/re-eligibility for financial, medical and/or food assistance benefits.
  


• Explain program requirements, application procedures, and services available.
  


• Determine eligibility/re-eligibility for public assistance by collecting in-depth information from division information systems.
  


• Determine eligibility for expedited services.
  


• Advise applicants of available services, program requirements, application procedures, and verification needs.
  


• Process applications received in the office, Washington Connection online applications, Document Management System, and through interactive interviews.
  


• Process all case actions into the appropriate computer program (ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, e-Jas, ICMS).
  


• Process reported change of circumstances to ensure that client benefits are continued in the correct amount.
  


• Conduct inquiries to screen requests for assistance by telephone, in person, fax, email, and online resources.
  


• Assess emergent and special needs and make referrals to other programs and community resources.
  


• Compute and initiate overpayment accounts and client notifications when necessary.
  


• Issue supplemental financial and basic food benefits.
  

Qualifications
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Financial Services Specialist 1 Level

A Bachelor’s degree.

OR

Experience examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or in a customer service job where the major duties involve public contact, or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

One year of equivalent out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food stamp programs.

Note: Employees shall be advanced to Financial Services Specialist 2 after completing six months of satisfactory service as a Financial Services Specialist 1 and satisfactory completion of the Financial Services Specialist Training Plan.

Financial Services Specialist 2 Level

Six months of experience as a Financial Services Specialist 1 and completion of the agency’s Financial Services Specialist Training Program.

OR

One year of equivalent out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food stamp programs.

Note: Employees shall be advanced to Financial Services Specialist 3 after completing nine months of satisfactory service as a Financial Services Specialist 2 and participation in the Financial Services Specialist Training Plan.

Financial Services Specialist 3 Level

Nine months of experience as a Financial Services Specialist 2

OR

Fifteen months of experience as a Financial Services Specialist and satisfactory completion of the agency’s Financial Services Specialist Training Program.

DESIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to learn and utilize various computer programs.
  


• Ability to communicate frequently and effectively with people in difficult situations, including defusing anger, calming people, working with people with communication challenges, discussing unpleasant options, or dealing with threatening situations.
  


• Ability to work with complex technical regulations and procedures, and analyze complex situations.
  


• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks in the same timeframe, handle interruptions appropriately, and return to incomplete tasks.
  


• Willing to work with hard to serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill, and chemically dependent individuals.
  

Supplemental Information

This position is covered by a union shop.

A background check is required for this position. Employees will be required to sign a release authorizing the background check. Information obtained from background checks will not necessarily preclude employment.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for this position, you must apply on-line at www.careers.wa.gov and complete the entire application and supplemental questionnaire. A resume emailed, attached or embedded will NOT substitute for completing the online application.

The information provided in the “Work Experience” section of your online application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questionnaire. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this requisition. A thorough reference check will be conducted for final applicants.

You may be required to take a skills test. Not passing the skills test may disqualify you from further consideration on this recruitment. Failure to respond to the skills test invitation will be considered a withdrawal from this recruitment. Notification of skills testing may be sent to you via email from a dshs.wa.gov email address. Please keep your email and phone contact information current.

If you are selected for an interview, you will be required to bring proof of your highest level of education completed. All applicable education must be accredited and recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). If you have a foreign degree(s) – you must attach your U.S. equivalency documentation in the “Attachments” section of the online application, in order to be considered (one source for credential evaluation information can be found at: http://www.naces.org/members.html ) .

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter at 360-725-5804. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

If you have specific questions regarding this position, please contact Alan McLaughlin at 253-288-5350.

For questions about this recruitment, please contact the Staffing Specialist, Chris Williams, christine.williams@dshs.wa.gov or (425)793-5763, and reference *04860*.