Eligibility Specialist

Work Location

• This position will work at the Blaine Human Service Center, located at 1201 89th Ave Ne, Blaine, MN 55434.
• This position is currently designated for hybrid remote work. Workers may be required to come onsite on average two times per month, or as needed.
• Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., flexible scheduling opportunities may be available.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Eligibility Specialist.

• Manage a caseload of public assistance programs in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Meet with clients to assess their needs and apply regulations and work procedures to verify and determine benefits and eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Interview clients, process required paperwork and determine eligibility for public assistance programs in accordance with rules and regulations.
• Work collaboratively with other county departments and external agencies.
• Determine initial and/or continuing eligibility of applicants for public assistance in all programs in accordance with existing regulations.
• Interpret complex information from records and documents needed to determine eligibility.
• Advocate for clients. Coordinate services and connect clients to appropriate resources.
• Provide customer service over the phone and in person.
• Work with clients in crisis and high stress situations to meet basic needs.
• Maintain detailed, accurate records that support eligibility, meet monthly deadlines, and accurately interface with software programs.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• High School diploma and at least 2 years of job-related experience in human services or public-facing roles within compliance-driven environments, interpreting guidelines, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Three years or more of full-time (2,080 annual hours) experience as administering public assistance programs in Minnesota.
• One year or more of full-time (2,080 annual hours) experience determining eligibility for SNAP or Medical Assistance.
• One year or more of full-time (2,080 annual hours) experience working with MAXIS or METS.
• Experience working at the Minnesota Department of Human Services or Department of Child, Youth, and Families with public assistance programs.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Behavioral Science, Human Services, Education, or related field.
• Able to communicate effectively with clients explaining complex rules and programs over the phone or in-person. To proactively correspond with clients, conduct interviews and explain complex rules and programs.
• Able to interpret and understand federal laws, state statutes and regulations relating to public assistance programs.
• Able to interpret financial documents such as tax documents, insurance policies, trusts, retirement accounts, etc.
• Able to organize work, set priorities, make good decisions, and work independently under stress while maintaining clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Able to interpret and follow complex oral and written procedures.
• Able to enter data accurately and navigate a variety of computerized data systems and case management systems to ensure program integrity.
• Able to use good judgement, compassion, and tact in dealing with clients.
• Able to perform mathematical computations accurately and quickly.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
• Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment
• Occasional travel to other county work sites as needed. Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, we depend on the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. We offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences who can come together for the single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process.

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO