Public Benefits Specialist In-Training; PBS- Richland

Join to apply for the Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS3) - Richland role at State of Washington.

Location: Richland, WA. Hybrid role with in-person attendance required. Commute to 1661 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 98952.

Closing date: Tuesday January 13th, 2026

Salary:

• PBS1: $4,428 – $5,137 monthly
• PBS2: $4,119 – $5,531 monthly
• PBS3: $4,428 – $5,956 monthly

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), an agency dedicated to the well‑being of children, youth, and families, is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist to provide eligibility determination support services at the Richland Child Care Subsidy Call Center. This role will conduct interviews, review information, and make eligibility determinations for child‑care subsidy assistance while delivering customer service to families in early education.

• Conduct intensive interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services, or continued eligibility when notifying the program of changes of circumstances for Child Care benefits.
• Provide information about program requirements, application procedures, and verification needs.
• Obtain and review necessary data, documentation and verification for Federal or State assistance as it relates to an individual’s specific circumstances.
• Process Child Care applications received from the Washington Connection online applications, in the Document Management System (DMS), and through interactive interviews.
• Interview, gather and analyze information, review documents and system information.
• 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 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).

• Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1)
  • One (1) year of experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs.
  • OR experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or in a customer service role 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)
  • 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)
  • 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 Eighteen (18) months of experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long‑term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits.
• AND
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Note(s)
  • Incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one (1) year of their appointment.
• In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
  • 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…