Benefit Programs Specialist III*

Benefit Programs Specialist III*

Salary

$54,808.00 - $82,700.80 Annually

Location

300 E Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219, VA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

27M00000367

Department

Social Services

Opening Date

07/26/2026

Closing Date

8/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…YOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking highly qualified candidates with strong customer service skills, effective time management abilities, and exceptional computer skills to fill the position of Benefit Programs Specialist III. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills which will assist with the interpretation of policy and procedures, expertise in implementation, and excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

The Benefit Programs Specialist III classification is an advanced level, that is assigned advanced technical functions or projects that require considerable knowledge of all public assistance functions to include fraud and/or quality control case review. This position also offers the ability to telework a maximum of 50% of time.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility.
• Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods.
• Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs.
• Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines.
• Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability.
• Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation; prepares reports and maintains client records.
• Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;
• Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients;
• Explores other possible sources of income;
• Computes assistance plans
• Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment.
• Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers
• Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed;
• Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and child care services.
• Participates in Mass Care Center operations during incidents or declared emergencies as needed for the duration ofthe event.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

City of Richmond Department of Social Services employees are considered essential personnel may be required to work during inclement weather and times of declared emergencies.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite; social perceptiveness; conflict resolution; record keeping; basic mathematical computation; Reading comprehension; effective oral and written communication and customer service.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist II (High school diploma with experience in benefit programs, and use of computer software and hardware) with additional minimum of 4 years of eligibility experience in human services benefit programs.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Completion of required Benefit Programs training

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Completed training and maintained proficiency in a minimum of six programs (e.g., SNAP, F&C, ABD, EA, or TANF), including specialized programs (e.g., LTC, AG, Refugee Assistance, General Relief)
• Experience in mentoring new employees.
• Bilingual experience is preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.

The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.

With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.

01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veterans widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following: Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Employees in this job classification are designated ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL and must be available to report to work during disasters, inclement weather, and other declared emergencies. Are you available and willing to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

04

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters/Advanced Degree
• None of the above

05

Which best describes your years of experience processing benefits for a local government?

• Less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

06

Which best describes your years of experience accessing databases for the purpose of assisting, resolving and referring customers to various resources?

• Less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

07

Which best describes your years of experience researching, interpreting and or applying policy and procedure?

• Less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

08

Which best describes your years of experience communicating basic policy and procedure information to customers?

• Less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

09

Which best describes your years of experience accurately inputting and reviewing information into an automated system?

• Less than 4 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

10

Indicate the electronic systems in which you have user experience. Select all that apply.

• VACMS
• HARMONY
• SPIDER
• MMIS
• No experience

11

Are you fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Richmond

Address 900 East Broad Street

Suite

Richmond, Virginia, 23219

Phone (804) 646-5660

804-646-5660

Website https://www.rva.gov/