DSHS ESA Public Benefits Supervisor - Public Benefits Specialist 5

About the Department

DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 5

The Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division has a leadership opportunity for a Public Benefits Supervisor to lead our team at Renton Community Services Office (CSO).

As a Public Benefits Supervisor, you'll directly supervise and manage workflow and quality assurance for a unit of Public Benefits Specialists and lead workers within the CSO. This role is a fundamental part of maintaining accountability and integrity of all CSD programs by providing quality control and insuring payment accuracy. The position Influences outcomes and builds strategic partnerships with entities, such as other state agencies and local community offices for the delivery of human services to individuals, families and communities.

Please note: This is an in-office position at Renton CSO. 

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

See why people like you choose careers with DSHS:

Some of what you'll do: 

• Supervise a team of Public Benefits Specialists who determine eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance programs.
• Review case decisions and complaints to confirm staff gathered and documented information correctly.
• Set workload standards for the unit and track reports to keep cases moving on time.
• Train new staff using the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program and explain agency policies, rules, and procedures.
• Coach staff on customer service, community referrals, and program eligibility.
• Complete employee performance evaluations and build improvement plans when needed.
• Assist customers applying for Apple Health by entering their information into the Washington Health Plan Finder system.
• Hire new staff and administer the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community and technical colleges and organizations that support the BFET program.
• Audit case records and staff work to check for accuracy and consistency with state and federal rules.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities that we're looking for:

• Program knowledge: WorkFirst program experience is preferred - managing a caseload of WirkFirst clients, experience developing IRP's, conducting assessments, and monitoring participation. Understands public assistance rules, including the WAC, RCW, and federal Medicaid law, and applies them to daily casework decisions.
• Supervision: Leads, trains, and coaches a team while managing workloads, performance reviews, and corrective action when needed.
• Communication: Explains policies and procedures clearly to staff, resolves client complaints, and stays tactful and patient during difficult conversations.
• Analysis: Reviews performance data and case audits to spot trends and recommend improvements to how the unit works.
• Relationship building: Builds working relationships with community colleges, local organizations, and other state agencies.
• Equity and cultural competence: Works to identify and remove barriers to accessing benefits. Encourages use of supports such as translators when needed. 
• Composure: Stays steady under pressure while managing shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and difficult situations.
• Technology: Uses internal software confidently to review data and support accurate decisions. Applications such as: ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, and the Washington Health Plan Finder. 

Who should apply?

Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 4. 

OR 
Bachelor’s degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefit Specialist 3 determining eligibility and providing case planning and/or case management for public assistance or long-term care services.

OR
5 years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least three years 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, or
- Providing staff supervision, training, or lead work in case management, 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. 

Note: Out of state experience conducting, training, or supervising financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

This role will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and personally identifiable information (PII). Per the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State-Based Exchanges for the disclosure of health insurance affordability programs information under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

Interested? Apply today!

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 a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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 about this job? Please contact [email protected] and reference job number 06919.

Other Qualifications

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position. 

 E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov