Benefit Programs Specialist

Benefit Programs Specialist

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Benefit Programs Specialist

Salary

$50,169.60 - $62,961.60 Annually

Location

City Hall Annex, 120 7th Street Northeast, Charlottesville (22902), VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

260800013

Department

Social Services Department

Division

Social Services Administration

Opening Date

08/19/2026

Closing Date

9/4/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

General Summary

The Benefit Programs Specialist performs professional and administrative work involving the determination and redetermination of the eligibility of individuals applying for public assistance under federal, state and local government programs. Work is performed under the general supervision of and reports to a Benefits Program Supervisor or Family Services Supervisor.

The preferred hiring amount is between $24.12 - $30.27 an hour ( $50,169.60 - $62,961.60 annually ). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.

• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage (https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits) .

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Conducts interviews with clients to secure and verify data on financial, medical and social. vocational and employment needs and determines eligibility for all applicable financial and/or medical assistance programs (such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid).

• Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with federal, state and local policies and procedures; accurately and timely evaluates client eligibility for assistance (including emergency situations).

• Determines eligibility or ineligibility for assistance; re-determines eligibility for continuing assistance; determines benefit level; generates payments and notices to applicants.

• Maintains contact with assigned clients to collect and verify information. Reviews information for accuracy, follows up on inconsistencies from client and/or other resources, and detects possible fraud making referrals to the Benefit Programs Investigator.

• Interacts with clients, co-workers, citizens, employers, financial institutions and community and state agencies to gather relevant data, answer questions and provide education on services and programs.

• Completes applications to the Social Security Administration for children in foster care or receiving adoption services and updates documentation as needed.

• Completes case notes, changes in client/case information, and other data entry within departmental software accurately and timely; creates and maintains accurate documentation, reports, and logs following departmental guidelines.

• May visit clients' residence to collect and verify information; evaluates emergency situations.

• Performs work with other agencies such but not limited to the Virginia Employment Commission, State Department of Social Services, Community Actions Agencies.

• Provides and explains other resources available and refers individuals to employment services and/or other community resources.

• May represent the Department at administrative or appeal hearings.

• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.

• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education such as college.

• High School diploma or GED AND 1 year of experience working with computer databases or case management databases, including customer service experience.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• Associate degree or higher in related field.

• Experience working in human service/social services, determining eligibility for client services, particularly with benefit programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and/or other public assistance programs in the state of Virginia.

• Proficiency in speaking and writing in a second language.

Certifications/Licenses/Other:

• Depending on assignment, may require a valid Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record.

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of laws and programs to determine eligibility or ineligibility for assistance, re-determine eligibility for continuing assistance and determine benefit level.

• Knowledge of social and human services guidance, policies and best practices to respond to standard situations.

• Knowledge of interviewing/counseling techniques, casework strategies, and the handling of diverse cases.

Reading

• Intermediate: Ability to read, investigate, research, analyze, interpret, and follow complex written materials such as regulations, policies, data, and other information pertaining to benefit programs.

Writing

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data, maintain accurate records, and write clear and concise reports, appeals, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Intermediate: Ability to gather, work with, and understand number systems, simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios, analytical methods, and measurements.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, co-workers, city staff, other agencies, and the public. Provide and receive standard information to others. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: Normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Provides information to supervisors to use in decision making.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: Comprehensive, practical knowledge of public assistance and other Social Services Programs and approaches, systems and tools to support clients; including federal, state and local financial and/or medical assistance programs (such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid). Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary or fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.

• Constant interruptions and requests for service.

• Performs multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.

• Ability to establish relationships with a wide variety of people.

• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.

• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.

• Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances.

• The noise level is typically moderate.

A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search. Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may be conducted if applicable.

Please note: The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is unable to hire any applicant, intern, or volunteer if the criminal record check reveals a conviction for, or arrest awaiting final disposition of a barrier crime as set forth in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia. Please click here for the list of barrier crimes: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/63.2-1719/

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or [email protected].

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25

• Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents’ Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

1. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative–100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%

• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50

• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum

• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.

• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay

• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: U pon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

1. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual’s account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

1. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education obtained: (Must be verifiable in the Education History section of your online application.)

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Associate's degree or 60 or more college credit hours.

• Bachelors degree or higher.

• None of the above.

02

How many years of work experience do you have in a human services or social services setting?

• No experience.

• Less than two (2) years.

• Two (2) to less than five (5) years.

• Five (5) to less than ten (10) years.

• Ten (10 ) years or greater.

03

Please briefly describe your experience working in a human services or social services setting. If no experience, write "none."

04

How many years of experience do you have working with computer databases or case management systems?

• No experience.

• Less than one (1) year.

• One (1) to less than three (3) years.

• Three (3) to less than five (5) years.

• Five (5) to less than ten (10) years.

• Ten (10) years or greater.

05

Do you have customer service experience?

• Yes

• No

06

If you are proficient in a language other than English, please state the language(s) and if you can speak, read, and/or write in that language.

07

Please indicate the following Microsoft Office Suite applications you are proficient using. (check all that apply)

• Outlook (composing email messages; sending and receiving email messages; organizing email messages into folders; managing contacts; scheduling appointment and meetings; managing tasks)

• Word (Knowledge of common functions such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; indenting paragraphs; using tabs and tables; inserting a hard page break; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphic; adding comments and tracking changes)

• Excel (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbooks contents)

• Power Point (Creating a template and working with a design template; working with graphics, animation and multimedia)

• None of the above

08

Do you have experience using any of the following human service case management systems? (check all that apply)

• Application Benefit Delivery Automation Project (ADAPT)

• Document Management Imaging System (DMIS)

• Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)

• Online Automated Services Information System (OASIS)

• System Partnering In a Demographic Repository (SPIDeR)

• Umbrella

• Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS)

• Other case management system(s)

• None of the above.

09

If you selected "Other" please list the human service or public assistance program area(s) you have work experience with.

10

Select the areas in which you have work experience? (check ALL that apply; must be verifiable with reference to your Work History or Additional Information section of your application)

• Position determining eligibility for public assistance programs in a Social Services Agency

• Screener or similar position for applicants of benefits programs in a Social Services Agency.

• Case Manager or in a similar position in a Social Services Agency.

• Clerical or administrative support position in a Social Services Agency.

• Other work experience in a related human/social services field.

• None of the above.

11

If you selected "Other work experience in a related human service field" please list the related experience.

12

Do you have professional work experience with any of the following human services or public assistance program areas? (Check all that apply)

• Medicaid

• Refugee Cash Assistance

• Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP)

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• Other

• None of the above

13

If you selected "Other" please list the human service or public assistance program area(s) you have work experience with.

14

This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid driver's license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record. Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

• Yes; I possess a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

• No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

• No; I do not have a valid driver's license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

15

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes

• No

16

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Employer

City of Charlottesville

Address

P. O. Box 911 605 East Main Street Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone

(434) 970-3490

Website

http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs