Public Benefits Specialist In-Training; PBS- Yakima

Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In‑Training

Job Title: Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In‑Training (PBS1-3)

Location: Hybrid – 1002 N 16th Ave., Yakima, WA 98901

Hybrid

Work Schedule:

Eligible for a hybrid schedule; regular in‑office attendance required approximately 2–3 days per week until full independence met.

Closes: Tuesday, June 17th, 2026

Salary:

• Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1): $46,080 - $61,644 annually
• Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2): $49,428 - $66,372 annually
• Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3): $53,136 - $71,472 annually

The salaries listed do not include the 2% general wage increase effective July 1, 2026.

• Conduct intensive 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.

Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1)

Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs.
• OR A bachelor’s degree AND experience examining/processing 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.

Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2)

Qualifications:

• Six (6) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1, and completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
• OR One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs and completing the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.

Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3)

Qualifications:

• Nine (9) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2.
• OR Fifteen (15) months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 1 and satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
• OR Equivalent combination of education and/or experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits totaling eighteen (18) months.

Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete an in‑person math assessment as part of the initial screening process. Candidates who advance will receive approximately one week’s notice regarding the assessment date, time, and location.

• Demonstrated experience working in a high‑volume customer service environment.
• One (1) year of experience working in a call center environment.
• Prior experience determining eligibility for public programs.

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Resume
• Cover Letter…