Programs Specialist III

At the Warren County Department of Social Services, we believe in advocacy, dignity, and meaningful human connection. Our mission centers on helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency, restoring and preserving families whenever possible, and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. We work closely with community partners because lasting change is a team effort—and because the people we serve deserve nothing less.

Are you an experienced human services professional with a passion for strengthening families and supporting long-term community wellbeing? Do you excel in complex decision-making, enjoy helping others navigate essential services, and thrive in a role where your advanced knowledge of TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid truly matters? If so, the Warren County Department of Social Services invites you to apply for the Benefit Programs Specialist III position.

As a BPS III, you will serve as an advanced-level specialist responsible for conducting and reviewing eligibility determinations across TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid
programs. You will work independently on complex cases and play a critical role in ensuring accurate, consistent, and high-quality service delivery. You will also serve as a key program resource to fellow employees, offering policy guidance, technical support, and clarification on public assistance regulations. Benefit Programs Specialist III represents the advanced level in the occupational group. Employees are assigned advanced technical functions or projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions such as fraud or quality control case review.

Employees in this class conduct the initial and ongoing eligibility determinations requiring advanced program knowledge, or provide quality control by examining cases completed by other eligibility workers for accuracy and uniformity. Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards. The most complex situations are reviewed with the supervisor. The Benefit Programs Specialist III is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist IV by the latter’s serving as a lead worker, providing guidance to other specialists, and supporting the supervisor by ensuring staff coverage, reviewing cases, and providing back-up supervision as required.

• Conduct initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid, including highly complex cases requiring advanced program knowledge.
• Serve as a program resource to fellow employees, providing guidance, answering policy questions, and helping staff navigate detailed public assistance regulations.
• Monitor program trends, prepare seasonal and annual reports, and participate in quality improvement projects.
• Engage in outreach, task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, and training activities to support agency goals.
• Manage a caseload involving complex household circumstances, fluctuating income, multi-ownership situations, and evolving client needs.
• Educate clients about their rights and responsibilities and connect them with needed services and resources.
• Maintain detailed records and ensure compliance with confidentiality and ethical standards.

• Considerable knowledge of TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid laws, regulations, and eligibility criteria.
• Ability to interpret regulations, analyze detailed information, and make accurate independent decisions.
• Proven success managing complex cases, analyzing detailed information, identifying errors or concerns, and recommending corrective action.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and professionalism.
• Comfort using the Virginia Case Management System…