See Veterans Benefit Assistant.

At this level, individuals operate under administrative direction and hold overarching responsibilities for organizational programs. In programs with statewide significance, they serve as specialized experts overseeing specific facets or assisting higher management across various areas. These encompass diverse programs like veterans’ health initiatives, veterans support efforts, educational outreach, and transportation management.

Develop, administer, and monitor social, financial, or health services programs, as well as oversee program policies and procedures implemented by staff or vendors. Orchestrating program operations, delivering technical expertise, and offering strategic guidance to participants, staff, and external stakeholders. Actively support senior management by providing guidance to families at risk of dependency and serving clients with intense social service needs. Program components include but are not limited to program planning, supporting social, financial, or health services for veterans, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Identifying and resolving intricate program challenges while adeptly gauging participants' needs to design custom-tailored services and training initiatives. Proactive approach ensures the smooth and efficient delivery of program objectives.

Leads the conceptualization and implementation of veterans’ programs or strategic program plans, including the formulation of policies and procedures for the delivery of essential social, financial, or health services by staff or providers;

Leads the development of comprehensive rules and regulations governing program service delivery. Conducts thorough program audits and performs on-site visits to field offices/institutions to oversee policy implementation and ensure compliance;

Leads the collaboration with program participants, staff and representatives of external organizations, and members of the public to assess needs and strategize, conceptualize, and implement tailored program activities. Ensures diligent monitoring and tracking of participant eligibility and engagement in program initiatives;

Foresees potential conflicts and proactively resolves them preemptively; strategically plans, evaluates, and collaborates with internal staff and external stakeholders to identify, analyze, and propose solutions aligned with the program's objectives;

Examines state and federal legislation and regulations, proposing necessary revisions; advocates for the establishment and dissemination of Washington Administrative Code guidelines related to social, financial, or health programs;

Engages with counterparts in other states for insight into federal regulations interpretation. Represents the agency at public hearings on WAC matters and facilitates coordinated responses to federal statutes;

Creates curriculum and instructional materials tailored for training agency personnel, vendors, community members, and clients. Conducts training sessions for agency staff, vendors, and vendor personnel;

May supervise lower-level staff.

Knowledge of: state and federal policies and regulations concerning social, financial, and health programs; principles and methodologies of program planning and evaluation; prevailing social and economic challenges relevant to program clientele; principles of community organization and public administration; program consultation, development, contract creation, monitoring, and negotiation.

Ability to: develop and assess programs effectively; collaborate with program staff and local agencies for efficient program implementation; analyze and resolve intricate issues related to social, financial, or health programs; communicate clearly and concisely in interaction with various stakeholders; write articulate and coherent documents.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A bachelor’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration or a related field; and three years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, consulting or delivering social, financial, health support programs. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for education.

Equivalent education/experience.

New classification: Veterans Benefit Specialist 4; adopted June 23, 2025, effective July 1, 2025.