Krystal Newcomb
Ellensburg,WA
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Public Benefits Specialist 5
DSHS (CSO)
06.2022 - Current
- I currently supervise a unit of 9 Public Benefits Specialists who determine financial eligibility for cash, medical and food benefits
- I oversee the overall flow of work processed by my unit
- As a supervisor I review client & customer concerns to come to an appropriate & adequate conclusion
- Analyzing agency policy and practices as well as explaining these polies and rules to staff as part of my position
- Researching the manuals, procedure handbook, Coach and the SharePoint to provide clear answers for staff
- Working one on one with employees, while helping them set goals for performance
- Complete monthly Coach audits on PBS4's complete audits to ensure policy and procedure is followed
- Promoting a positive atmosphere and workplace for others
- Following the hiring procedures with interviewing, checking references and hiring new everyone
- Attending quarterly region one supervisor meetings and weekly management meetings
- I plan and facilitate monthly PBS unit meetings and weekly Supervisor/Lead Meetings
- Create PowerPoints to review with staff regarding refreshers or current changes
- I run monthly & weekly reports regarding employee performance to determine if coaching is needed
- I attend Process Review Panel meetings monthly to review current accuracy findings as well as attend weekly Policy call's
- I adhere to all safety regulations and policies.
Public Benefits Specialist 4
DSHS (CSO)
08.2021 - 05.2022
- As a lead worker I assigned and audited work of staff, reviewed case actions for accuracy and helped with on-the-job training
- Provided feedback to staff and management and tracked correction and completion of cases audited with identified errors
- Worked in the EZ, procedure and aces manual daily ensuring my coworkers fast and efficient answers to their questions
- Performed in office financial case actions as well as through the call center when needed
- Attended weekly management meetings and monthly all staff meetings while often giving presentations for office refresher training.
WorkFirst Program Specialist
DSHS (CSO)
01.2019 - 08.2021
- Providing direct client services to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) WorkFirst clients on an ongoing basis to help them gain self-sufficiency
- Updating monthly participation hours, completing comprehensive evaluations, WorkFirst Orientations, Creating Individual Responsibility Plans and performing home visits
- Making and keeping great relationships with community Partners is very important, while also having 50% of everyday performing financial cases and interviews for Food and medical benefits.
Public Benefits Specialist 3
DSHS
10.2013 - 01.2019
- Training position with financial services for childcare learning eligibility, how to use systems and programs to complete the job
- Promoted to PBS under the Community Services Office, training position with financial services for cash, food and medical
- Attended core training and processed case work on an intermediate level
- Attended core training and processed case work on an entry level
- Using customer service skills to perform interviews to determine eligibility for cash, medical, and food benefits
- Performs highly complex duties in relation to establishing financial eligibility, rule interpretation, planning and procedural development
- Work with supervisor in assessing workload and prioritizing work; be aware of problems as they occur and discuss possible solutions.
Salon Owner
Millennium Sun
08.2012 - 09.2013
- Owned and managed hair & tanning salon with a total of 6 staff
- Ran day to day operations including but not limited to: answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, creating staff schedule, completing payroll, ordering salon products, and supplies
- Developed and maintained business promotions and social media accounts
- Always kept customer service and employee engagement a top priority
- Followed all state safety policies and procedures.
Education
Job Shadow w/ Amanda Hess (Social service trainer) DSHS -
High school Diploma, Kititas Highschool -
Mentorship w/ Marie Falmo DSHS -
08.2024
So you think you want to be an administrator member, DSHS -
07.2024
Mentorship w/ Sarah Wharton (WF- Social Service Trainer) DSHS -
05.2022
Mentorship w/ Cindy Ollgaard (WorkFirst Supervisor) DSHS -
11.2018
Skill Builders member, DSHS -
07.2017
Skills
- Benefits Explanation
- New employee enrollment
- Employee benefits laws
- Proficient in Software
Activitiesworkgroups
- A3 workgroup 9/2015 to create ME Interviewing Video & was personally chosen to write Former RA Carole Lee a letter about our workgroup mission that she personally took and read to each DSHS office in region one
- Conducted Perfect Interview 2016 Management Evaluation
- Ellensburg CSO Respect Committee Member 2013-2022
- Ellensburg CSO Chairman for Safety committee 2017-2019
- Attend Monthly Moses Lake Community Forum Meetings
- Co-Facilitated Conducting TCM Foundational Trainings Jan-June 2021
- Champions of Change work group for Transforming Case management 10/2019-01/2021
- WorkFirst Reengagement Project- 04/2021-09/2021
- Bank of America Gas Card Work Group for Region One 08/2020-05/2022
- Unite PDCA workgroup 03/2023-07/2023
- Attend monthly Process Review Panel Meetings
- Attend Weekly Policy/Operations Tuesday update call
- Region 1 Quality Team 04/2022-Present
- Procedures SME Team Member Jan 2023-Present
Timeline
Public Benefits Specialist 5
DSHS (CSO)
06.2022 - Current
Public Benefits Specialist 4
DSHS (CSO)
08.2021 - 05.2022
WorkFirst Program Specialist
DSHS (CSO)
01.2019 - 08.2021
Public Benefits Specialist 3
DSHS
10.2013 - 01.2019
Salon Owner
Millennium Sun
08.2012 - 09.2013