DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4
Salary
$4,653.00 - $6,259.00 Monthly
Location
Pierce County Tacoma, WA
Job Type
Full Time - Permanent
Job Number
2026-04012
Department
Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division
ESA
Opening Date
05/13/2026
Closing Date
5/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information
The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
DSHS ESA Public Benefits Specialist 4 (Case Planning and Support Specialist)
The Economic Services Administrations (ESA) Community Service Division (CSD) has an exciting opportunity for a Public Benefits Specialists 4 (PBS4) - Case Planning and Support Specialist (CPSS) to join our team at the Pierce South Community Services Office in Tacoma, WA. When you work for DSHS, your compassion shows at work every day, helping the lives of your fellow Washingtonians.
As a Case Planning and Support Specialist, youll serve as a trusted resource for individuals navigating complex life circumstances and the public systems designed to support them. This role is ideal for someone who can read between the lines, build trust quickly, and connect people to the right services at the right time.
In this role, youll assess eligibility for multiple assistance programs, develop individualized case plans, and coordinate with partners across healthcare, housing, employment, and other community resources. Each day brings variety and meaningful responsibility, requiring sound judgment, a strong understanding of policy, and the ability to manage complexity with care.
Note: Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
See why people like you choose careers with DSHS:
Some of what you will do:
Conduct detailed interviews to assess eligibility for public assistance, including cash, food, and medical programs.
Facilitate program orientations and explain benefit pathways clearly and empathetically.
Design, monitor, and update personalized case plans to address barriers and support employment goals.
Refer clients to services such as domestic violence support, substance use treatment, mental health counselling, housing, and job training.
Coordinate with external agencies and service providers to align support plans.
Review and interpret complex documentscourt orders, leases, medical notesto determine appropriate program fit.
Authorize and track supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or work clothing.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes and documentation in multiple systems (ACES, Barcode, eJAS, HPF, etc.).
Respond to case audits, resolve discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
Participate in outreach efforts, home visits, and client advocacy as needed.
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
OR
OR
Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience may substitute for degree and PBS work experience requirements. Total must include at least one-year 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.
Providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information.
AND
Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance, including financial, medical and food benefit programs, will be considered toward experience. Additional professional experience described above will substitute year for year for the required education.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities were looking for:
Eligibility expertise Youll need deep knowledge of Washingtons public assistance programs and the ability to assess and re-determine eligibility with accuracy.
Policy fluency Comfort navigating and applying WAC, RCW, and internal procedural manuals is essential to ensure services are legally sound.
Case planning insight Strong understanding of how to build service plans that are realistic, trauma-informed, and grounded in each clients context.
Analytical skills Youll be interpreting complex data and documentation to make fast, high-stakes decisionsprecision matters.
Communication Clear, respectful, and empathetic communication is keyespecially when explaining tough decisions or diffusing high-tension situations.
Crisis navigation This role regularly involves working with people in distress. You must stay calm, clear-headed, and grounded in your professional boundaries.
Resilience and flexibility Programs shift. Priorities change. You need to adapt quickly, manage multiple tasks, and keep performance high without burning out.
Interested?
Along with your application, please include:
An updated resume
Three professional references with contact information
Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #04012.
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 agencys 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.
Supplemental Information
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 applicants 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 drivers 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.
E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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. Thats 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
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Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov