Benefit Programs Specialist IV

Summary

Benefit Programs Specialist IV

Here, you get to stay close to the policy, lead by example, and directly elevate your peers!

Your Superpower: ABD & Long-Term Care Medicaid

While you will work in multiple benefit programs simultaneously, you will be our agency's ultimate subject matter expert in Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) and Long-Term Care (LTC) Medicaid. You'll guide the team through complex financial landscapes—asset transfers, look-back periods, annuities, and trusts—while collaborating closely with local nursing facilities, legal reps, and community waiverprograms.

Title Description - Benefit Programs Specialist IV represents the leadership level in the occupational group. Employees perform responsible lead work related to benefit programs. Employees are responsible for serving as lead worker and providing training and guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists. Employees serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing backup supervision of staff. Employees may provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. The Benefit Programs Specialist IV is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Supervisor by the latter's spending a majority of time in supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues, problems, and evaluating the work of others.

A Day in the Life (Illustrative Tasks)

• The Ultimate Mentor: Provide individual or group training to staff; design handy informational binders and quick-reference guides.
• The Quality Champion: Review case files for accuracy and ensure deadliness are met. You will conduct comprehensive case reads on 25% of all files handled by probationary employees to build their confidence and skill.
• The Supervisor's Anchor: Maintain excellent office operations by ensuring staff coverage, managing workload balance, and stepping in as the back-up supervisor when needed.
• The Financial Detective: Work on the most complex, high-stakes cases, analyzing tricky financial documents like deeds, trusts, and portfolios.
• The Community Connector: Respond to public inquiries, explore alternative income sources for clients, and partner with local community organizations to ensure families get holistic care.

What You Bring to the Team

• The "LTC" Secret Sauce: Deep knowledge of Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) programs, with an absolute mastery of ABD/LTC policy and VaCMS.
• A Leadership Heart: You are approachable, patient, and genuinely excited to share your knowledge to help your peers thrive.
• Proven Experience: A strong background as an eligibility worker within a Virginia DSS office, with a track record of handling advanced caseloads.
• Growth Mindset: A willingness to complete all required advanced employee development and specialized state-level training milestones.
• The Essentials: Must pass a standard criminal history background check and a Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance check.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge- Comprehensive knowledge of: applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures, including civil and Circuit Court procedures; basic human behavior, social problems and resources, and interviewing techniques; social, economic, health, and cultural factors which can serve as barriers to employment; and counseling techniques.

Skills- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Abilities- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. Education and Experience- Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist III with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Education and Experience - Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist III with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

About Us

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have access to best services and benefits available to them.

Job Description

Benefit Programs Specialist IV

Here, you get to stay close to the policy, lead by example, and directly elevate your peers!

Your Superpower: ABD & Long-Term Care Medicaid

While you will work in multiple benefit programs simultaneously, you will be our agency's ultimate subject matter expert in Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) and Long-Term Care (LTC) Medicaid. You'll guide the team through complex financial landscapes—asset transfers, look-back periods, annuities, and trusts—while collaborating closely with local nursing facilities, legal reps, and community waiverprograms.

Title Description - Benefit Programs Specialist IV represents the leadership level in the occupational group. Employees perform responsible lead work related to benefit programs. Employees are responsible for serving as lead worker and providing training and guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists. Employees serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing backup supervision of staff. Employees may provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments which require dealing with information that is sensitive and confidential. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. The Benefit Programs Specialist IV is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Supervisor by the latter's spending a majority of time in supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues, problems, and evaluating the work of others.

A Day in the Life (Illustrative Tasks)

• The Ultimate Mentor: Provide individual or group training to staff; design handy informational binders and quick-reference guides.
• The Quality Champion: Review case files for accuracy and ensure deadliness are met. You will conduct comprehensive case reads on 25% of all files handled by probationary employees to build their confidence and skill.
• The Supervisor's Anchor: Maintain excellent office operations by ensuring staff coverage, managing workload balance, and stepping in as the back-up supervisor when needed.
• The Financial Detective: Work on the most complex, high-stakes cases, analyzing tricky financial documents like deeds, trusts, and portfolios.
• The Community Connector: Respond to public inquiries, explore alternative income sources for clients, and partner with local community organizations to ensure families get holistic care.

What You Bring to the Team

• The "LTC" Secret Sauce: Deep knowledge of Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) programs, with an absolute mastery of ABD/LTC policy and VaCMS.
• A Leadership Heart: You are approachable, patient, and genuinely excited to share your knowledge to help your peers thrive.
• Proven Experience: A strong background as an eligibility worker within a Virginia DSS office, with a track record of handling advanced caseloads.
• Growth Mindset: A willingness to complete all required advanced employee development and specialized state-level training milestones.
• The Essentials: Must pass a standard criminal history background check and a Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance check.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge- Comprehensive knowledge of: applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures, including civil and Circuit Court procedures; basic human behavior, social problems and resources, and interviewing techniques; social, economic, health, and cultural factors which can serve as barriers to employment; and counseling techniques.

Skills- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Abilities- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software. Education and Experience- Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist III with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Education and Experience - Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist III with additional work experience in a leadership role and benefit programs OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

About Us

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have access to best services and benefits available to them.