Job Details

Salary : $55,827.20 - $86,299.20 Annually
Location : VA 23219, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 27M00000308
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 02/01/2026
Closing Date: 2/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

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 a highly qualified candidate with strong customer service skills, effective time management abilities, and exceptional computer skills to fill the position of Benefit Programs Specialist IV. 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 IV classification is a leadership level, performing lead work related to benefit programs. Employees are responsible for serving as a lead worker and providing guidance to other Benefit Programs Specialists. Employees also serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up supervision of staff. This position also offers the ability to telework a minimum of 50% of time.
Duties include but are not limited to

• Serves as lead worker and assists supervisor by conducting program training for staff, reviewing case files and providing back-up supervision of staff
• Serves as a resource to staff by answering questions related to policies and procedures, suggesting effective methods of case management, and providing consultation regarding complex cases
• Prepares case records and reports
• Works on the most complex and sensitive cases; Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various benefit programs, assists staff and clients in issues related to initial and continuing determination of eligibility of individuals and families
• Collects and compiles statistics from caseloads
• Provides training to other eligibility workers on an individual or group basis
• Coordinates training programs and orientation for new employees and clients
• Explores alternative sources of income and assistance
• Responds to inquiries from the public concerning public assistance programs and eligibility requirements
• Ensures that established deadlines are met
• Prepares monthly reports and maintains records of activities
• Assists in training new staff on policy and procedural matters
• Coordinates and interacts with other community resources and partners to assist clients in meeting assessed needs;
• Detects fraud cases and makes appropriate referrals to supervisor, and assists with fraud investigation activities;
• May be assigned specialized functions or projects requiring a broad working knowledge of public assistance functions (e.g., intake, fraud);
• Maintains extensive current knowledge of programs and eligibility requirements, financial and non-financial criteria, policies and guidelines as well as current forms, reports and other related documentation required for eligibility and services determinations;
• 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:

• Thorough working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing public assistance, services programs and welfare reform; broad understanding of basic human needs and of individual differences;
• Financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits;
• Excellent working knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in interviewing and eliciting needed information from applicants and recipients.
  
  Demonstrated skills in using supportive counseling techniques to enhance and develop clients' problem-solving capabilities;
• Operating a personal computer and agency software;
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals in person and on the phone;
• Analyzing information and determining from a variety of sources missing information and gaps and making mathematical computations.
  Demonstrated ability to assess client needs through collection and analysis of employment history and pertinent personal, family and cultural information;
• Apply acquired knowledge of human behavior and social functioning;
• Ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality of client information;
• Excellent organization skills with the demonstrated ability to plan and execute work effectively to successfully manage caseload and complete assigned tasks accurately and in accordance with applicable requirements and deadlines;
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining integrity of time sensitive and confidential documents;
• Ability to read, understand and accurately interpret complex public assistance and services policies and regulations;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma with experience in benefit programs, and use of computer software and hardware) with additional related work experience in a leadership role
• Six (6) or more years of relevant work experience in various federal, state and local public assistance and benefit programs or services 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.
• Completed and obtained certificates in a minimum of two leadership development courses.
• Served as a lead worker within a team.
• Acted as a quality assurance case reader and/or acting supervisor.
• 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 Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at

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, veteran's 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 veteran's 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
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's/Advanced Degree
• None of the above

05

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

• Less than 6 years of experience
• 6 to 8 years of experience
• 8 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 6 years of experience
• 6 to 8 years of experience
• 8 or more years of experience

07

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

• Less than 6 years of experience
• 6 to 8 years of experience
• 8 or more years of experience

08

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

• Less than 6 years of experience
• 6 to 8 years of experience
• 8 or more years of experience

09

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

• Less than 6 years of experience
• 6 to 8 years of experience
• 8 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