Program Specialist II - Benefits Specialist

Title: Program Specialist 2 - Benefits Specialist

Location: Seattle United States

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Description:

South Seattle College is looking to hire a Benefits Specialist (Program Specialist 2) in the Workforce department.

Salary Range for this position is $45,900.00 to $59,724.00 annually. The typical starting rate is $45,900.00 to $56,916.00 (DOE).

Position Summary

The Workforce Benefits Specialist position is a classified position at South Seattle College (SSC) in Workforce education, a part of the Student Funding Center. This position performs a variety of duties to serve current and prospective Workforce students. This position services as the first point of contact for students needing assistance with applying for public assistance, completing Workforce, financial aid, scholarship, and emergency funding applications, and providing direct referrals to other campus resources. The Benefits Specialist must stay informed of the current Workforce Education policy, FAFSA/WASFA application processes, and best practices to ensure that both programmatic and student needs are met. The position works with campus and community partners including academic divisions, WorkSource, student services, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).

This position is typically scheduled for working Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM. The schedule may vary depending on program needs. May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.

This position works a hybrid schedule, with onsite work required Monday-Thursday and remote work options available on Friday.

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by WFSE and is subject to union shop provisions.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct college: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College, and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

What you will be working on:

Benefits Navigation

• Actively participate as a member of the statewide Benefits Navigator Cohort, including attending trainings and meetings
• Contribute to the development of the statewide and campus specific Hunger-Free and Basic Needs Strategic Plan development and implementation
• Participate in ongoing evaluation and revision efforts to ensure appropriate and effective support for prioritizing student basic needs
• In collaboration with WSAC and the SBCTC support the implementation of a student survey that assesses food and housing security and access to basic economic support.

Supporting Students

• Provide a low barrier intake process for students that includes appropriate assessment and presentation of the colleges and community resources available
• Support all students¿ access to Basic Food assistance and the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program, and support the reduction of student food insecurity
• Provide students with referrals for supportive services within the college and with community partners that help meet their basic needs
• Conduct a follow-up as needed to ensure students¿ needs are met and provide additional referrals if needed

Enhancing Community Collaboration

• Facilitate local or regional discussions and generate recommendations amongst community stakeholders on the basic needs of their respective colleges' students
• Assist efforts to strengthen transition support, which may include assistance with FAFSA/WASFA, Opportunity Grant, WA College Grant, etc.
• Participate in the Guided Pathways initiative
• Work with other Benefit Specialists and the SBCTC to enhance community partnerships to support students and increase options for individuals to meet their basic needs

Expanding Resource Availability

• Conduct outreach and recruitment that targets low-income and food-insecure students
• Ensure a full menu of college and community resources is available and communicated
• Support the development of new community partnerships to increase resources for students
• Support efforts to integrate student support programs at the college and enhance leveraging of college resources to holistically support students

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, education, social work, human services, or related field or any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive to the needs of students who may be homeless, low-income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, or other barriers to employment.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Demonstrated experience facilitating meetings and workshops
• Availability for in-state travel for trainings and meetings
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and goals of South Seattle College and the objectives of Workforce Education.
• Ability to work in a complex and dynamic environment where success is often the result of cooperation and collaboration.
• Ability to multi-task with demonstrated time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and strategically in a team environment.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines while being attentive to detail.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

Office Setting:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of bullying behaviors, including cyberbullying.

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the Director of Legal Compliance.