Public Benefits Specialist 4 – Lead Worker
Imagine stepping into a role where your public benefits expertise, leadership skills, and ability to simplify the complex make a positive difference, every single day, to the lives of fellow Washingtonians. As a Public Benefits Specialist 4 – Lead Worker, you’ll be the go-to person for your team: offering guidance, reviewing work for accuracy, and supporting clients as they navigate the intricate world of public benefits.
The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division is hiring for a thoughtful, organized, and collaborative Public Benefits Specialist 4 to join our Pierce North Community Service Office, in Tacoma. In this role, you won’t only be determining eligibility—you’ll be mentoring colleagues, resolving challenges, and helping ensure individuals and families get the assistance and advocacy they need, when they need it.
This is a leadership-through-service role for someone who stays calm under pressure, thinks critically, and cares deeply about our mission. You’ll help cultivate a culture of quality and consistency—where your technical skills, good judgment, and commitment to equitable service help lift up the people we serve and the colleagues you support.
See why people like you choose careers at DSHS:
Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
Some of what you’ll do:
Provide technical guidance, real‑time coaching, and policy interpretation to Public Benefits Specialists working with financial, food, and medical assistance programs.
Conduct audits of casework to identify error trends, recommend trainings to support staff development and corrective actions if needed.
Investigate and resolve complaints, client escalations, and errors in benefit determination.
Assist with complex eligibility determinations, overpayments, and case reviews requiring higher‑level analysis.
Act in a lead capacity, assigning work and supporting the supervisor with workload coordination and performance monitoring.
Support staff in navigating and using technology systems such as ACES, Barcode, Health Plan Finder, and ICMS accurately and efficiently.
Participate in training new employees and developing resources to improve consistency and quality across the team.
Serve as acting supervisor in their absence, including attending leadership meetings and making operational decisions.
Represent the division’s goals of equity, quality, and accessibility in daily decision‑making and team guidance.
Contribute to community outreach and cultural competency initiatives as needed.
Who Should Apply? Professionals with:
Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
Or
A bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long‑term care services.
Or
Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one-year 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.
Providing staff support in 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.
Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance, including financial, medical and food benefit programs, will be considered toward experience. Additional professional experience described above will substitute year for year for the required education.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:
Policy mastery – Deep understanding of Washington Administrative Code and program‑specific guidance is essential for ensuring accurate benefit decisions and resolving high‑risk cases.
Analytical precision – Strong ability to identify inconsistencies, audit complex case data, and recommend sound corrections that align with federal and state requirements.
Team leadership – Proven ability to coach peers, support performance improvement, and foster a culture of belonging, accountability and service excellence.
Clear, confident communication – You’ll need to communicate across multiple audiences—from frontline staff and clients to supervisors and program partners—with clarity and professionalism.
Sound ethical judgment – Maintains confidentiality, adheres to policy, and understands the responsibility that comes with access to sensitive data and decision‑making authority.
Client‑centered judgment – Ability to apply policy while understanding the real‑life impact on the individuals and families we serve.
Commitment to equity – Brings a thoughtful, informed lens to supporting underserved communities and reducing disparities through accurate, fair, and timely services.
Systems fluency – Confidence with learning software related to the position. Can become a skilled user of ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, Health Plan Finder, and other systems, to be able to lead by example and troubleshoot effectively.
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 an equity, anti‑racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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? Please contact DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07984.
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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Economic Services Administration's (ESA) Community Service Division is hiring for a thoughtful, organized, and collaborative Public Benefits Specialist 4 to join our Pierce North Community Service Office, in Tacoma. In this role, you won’t only be determining eligibility—you’ll be mentoring colleagues, resolving challenges, and helping ensure individuals and families get the assistance and advocacy they need, when they need it.
This is a leadership-through-service role for someone who stays calm under pressure, thinks critically, and cares deeply about our mission. You’ll help cultivate a culture of quality and consistency—where your technical skills, good judgment, and commitment to equitable service help lift up the people we serve and the colleagues you support.
See why people like you choose careers at DSHS:
Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
Some of what you’ll do:
Provide technical guidance, real‑time coaching, and policy interpretation to Public Benefits Specialists working with financial, food, and medical assistance programs.
Conduct audits of casework to identify error trends, recommend trainings to support staff development and corrective actions if needed.
Investigate and resolve complaints, client escalations, and errors in benefit determination.
Assist with complex eligibility determinations, overpayments, and case reviews requiring higher‑level analysis.
Act in a lead capacity, assigning work and supporting the supervisor with workload coordination and performance monitoring.
Support staff in navigating and using technology systems such as ACES, Barcode, Health Plan Finder, and ICMS accurately and efficiently.
Participate in training new employees and developing resources to improve consistency and quality across the team.
Serve as acting supervisor in their absence, including attending leadership meetings and making operational decisions.
Represent the division’s goals of equity, quality, and accessibility in daily decision‑making and team guidance.
Contribute to community outreach and cultural competency initiatives as needed.
Who Should Apply? Professionals with:
Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
Or
A bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long‑term care services.
Or
Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one-year 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.
Providing staff support in 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.
Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance, including financial, medical and food benefit programs, will be considered toward experience. Additional professional experience described above will substitute year for year for the required education.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:
Policy mastery – Deep understanding of Washington Administrative Code and program‑specific guidance is essential for ensuring accurate benefit decisions and resolving high‑risk cases.
Analytical precision – Strong ability to identify inconsistencies, audit complex case data, and recommend sound corrections that align with federal and state requirements.
Team leadership – Proven ability to coach peers, support performance improvement, and foster a culture of belonging, accountability and service excellence.
Clear, confident communication – You’ll need to communicate across multiple audiences—from frontline staff and clients to supervisors and program partners—with clarity and professionalism.
Sound ethical judgment – Maintains confidentiality, adheres to policy, and understands the responsibility that comes with access to sensitive data and decision‑making authority.
Client‑centered judgment – Ability to apply policy while understanding the real‑life impact on the individuals and families we serve.
Commitment to equity – Brings a thoughtful, informed lens to supporting underserved communities and reducing disparities through accurate, fair, and timely services.
Systems fluency – Confidence with learning software related to the position. Can become a skilled user of ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, Health Plan Finder, and other systems, to be able to lead by example and troubleshoot effectively.
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 an equity, anti‑racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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? Please contact DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07984.
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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
#J-18808-Ljbffr