Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".
Job Title: Public Benefits Specialist 1-3 In-Training (PBS1-3)
Location: Hybrid – 1661 Fowler St, Richland, WA 99352
Hybrid Work Schedule: This position is hybrid with the expectation of in-person attendance to meet business need. Therefore, the selected candidate must be willing and able to commute to 1661 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 98952.
Closes: Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
Salary: $4,517 - $5,928 monthly
Do you enjoy helping people navigate complex systems and connecting families with resources that support their success? Are you passionate about providing exceptional customer service and making a meaningful impact in the Richland community? If so, we encourage you to apply for the Public Benefits Specialist 1–3 In-Training position with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
In this role, you will serve as a trusted resource for families applying for or receiving Child Care Subsidy benefits. Working within DCYF's Child Care Subsidy Contact Center in Richland, you will help families access affordable childcare services that support employment, education, and long-term stability. Every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference by connecting families with critical resources while delivering compassionate, knowledgeable, and equitable customer service. Your work directly supports DCYF's mission to partner with children, youth, and families to strengthen opportunities, connections, and communities while promoting safety, stability, and positive outcomes.
DCYF is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our employees and foster an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
As a Public Benefits Specialist, you will provide direct customer service in a fast-paced call center environment, assisting families seeking childcare assistance through Washington State's Child Care Subsidy Program. You will independently conduct interviews, gather and evaluate information from applicants and third-party sources, review documentation, and determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
This position requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to make independent decisions while navigating complex eligibility requirements. You will use specialized financial knowledge to assess household circumstances, explain program requirements, and provide accurate information to families in a professional, respectful, and compassionate manner.
Successful candidates will be comfortable working in a structured, customer-focused environment, managing a high volume of telephone interactions, and balancing attention to detail with a commitment to excellent customer service. Through your work, you will help ensure children have access to quality early learning opportunities while supporting families in achieving greater stability and self-sufficiency.
Some of what you will do:-
Conduct intensive interviews with customers to determine eligibility for services, or continued eligibility for services when notifying the program of changes of circumstances for Child Care benefits.
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Process Child Care applications received from the Washington Connection online applications, in the Document Management System (DMS), and through interactive interviews.
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Analyze collected oral and written information to determine accurate benefits and continued program eligibility.
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Finalize Child Care applications and reapplications with information received and verified for accurate determination of eligibility.
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Refer clients to both mandatory and optional services, including to other agencies as required.
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Take actions necessary to ensure that limited English proficient clients receive properly translated forms and translation services from state certified, contracted translators and interpreters.
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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).
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Compute and initiate overpayments and client notifications when necessary.
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Issue reimbursements and benefits when appropriate to correct under issuances.
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Assist Child Care Providers with subsidy payment information and other requirements to receive subsidy.
Required qualifications:
The goal class of this position is a Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3). We will also consider candidates at the PBS1 & PBS2 levels, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.
Please review the qualifications for each level below and ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet at least one of the listed qualification options.
Salary by Range:
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Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1): (G) $4,517 - $5,111 monthly
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Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2): (F) $4,746 - $5,506 monthly
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Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3): (E) $4,980 - $5,928 monthly
Public Benefits Specialist 1 (PBS1) Qualifications:
OR
A bachelor’s degree AND Experience examining/processing medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or in a customer service job where the major duties involve public contact, or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination will substitute, year for year, for education.
AND-
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
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The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Public Benefits Specialist 2 (PBS2) Qualifications:
OR
AND-
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
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The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Public Benefits Specialist 3 (PBS3) Qualifications:
OR
OR
Equivalent combination of education and/or experience determining eligibility for financial, medical, food, long-term services and support programs, childcare and equal access benefits totaling eighteen (18) months.
AND-
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
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The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Additional Screening Requirement: Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete an in-person math assessment as part of the initial screening process. Candidates who advance will receive approximately one week's notice regarding the assessment date, time, and location.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
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Demonstrated experience working in a high-volume customer service environment.
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One (1) year of experience working in a call center environment.
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Prior experience determining eligibility for public programs.
How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
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Resume
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Cover Letter (describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position)
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Professional references (three)
Supplemental Information:
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email
[email protected].
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.
2026-05369
