Public Benefits Specialist In-Training; PBS- Ellensburg

Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In-Training

Our vision is to ensure that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

Location: Hybrid – 1210 W. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Hybrid Work Schedule: This position is hybrid with telework and the expectation of in-person attendance to meet business needs. Therefore, the selected candidate must be willing and able to commute to 1210 W. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Closes: Monday, July 13th, 2026

Salary: $4,517 - $5,928 Monthly

Do you enjoy helping people navigate complex systems and connecting families with resources that support their success? Are you passionate about providing exceptional customer service and making a meaningful impact in the Ellensburg community? If so, we encourage you to apply for the Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In-Training position with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). In this role, you will serve as a trusted resource for families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits.

Working within DCYF's Child Care Subsidy Contact Center in Ellensburg, you will help families access affordable childcare services that support employment, education, and long-term stability. Every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference by connecting families with critical resources while delivering compassionate, knowledgeable, and equitable customer service. Your work directly supports DCYF's mission to partner with children, youth, and families to strengthen opportunities, connections, and communities while promoting safety, stability, and positive outcomes.

DCYF is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our employees and foster an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, and empowered to thrive.

The Opportunity:

As a Public Benefits Specialist, you will provide direct customer service in a fast-paced call center environment, assisting families seeking childcare assistance through Washington State's Child Care Subsidy Program. You will independently conduct interviews, gather and evaluate information from applicants and third-party sources, review documentation, and determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.

This position requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to make independent decisions while navigating complex eligibility requirements. You will use specialized financial knowledge to assess household circumstances, explain program requirements, and provide accurate information to families in a professional, respectful, and compassionate manner.

Successful candidates will be comfortable working in a structured, customer-focused environment, managing a high volume of telephone interactions, and balancing attention to detail with a commitment to excellent customer service. Through your work, you will help ensure children have access to quality early learning opportunities while supporting families in achieving greater stability and self-sufficiency.

Some of what you will do:

• Conduct intensive phone interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services, or continued eligibility for services when notifying the program of changes of circumstances for Child Care benefits.
• Process Child Care applications received from the Washington Connection online applications, in the Document Management System (DMS), and through interactive interviews.
• Analyze collected oral and written information to determine accurate benefits and continued program eligibility.
• Finalize Child Care applications and reapplications with information received and verified for accurate determination of eligibility.
• Refer clients to both mandatory and optional services, including to other agencies as required.
• Take actions necessary to ensure that limited English proficient clients receive properly translated forms and translation services from state certified, contracted translators and interpreters.
• Authorize Working Connections Child Care Subsidy payment to approved Licensed facility and Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Subsidy Providers through the Social Services Payment System (SSPS).
• Compute and initiate over payments and client notifications when necessary.
• Issue reimbursements and benefits when appropriate to correct under issuances.
• Assist Child Care Providers with subsidy payment information and other requirements to receive subsidy.

Required qualifications: The goal class of this position is a Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3). We will also consider candidates at the PBS1 & PBS2 levels, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

Please review the…