BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST SENIOR

State of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Sick time

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Transit subsidy

Wellness plans

Job summary

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson to lead, train, and support Eligibility Interviewers. This on-site role requires expertise in public assistance programs and sophisticated interview techniques.

You will oversee eligibility determinations, ensure accuracy, and coordinate workflow to meet daily targets. The team emphasizes service, community needs, and adherence to hospital policies.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of interviewing and assessment techniques.
• Federal and State laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to public assistance programs.
• Computer programs/systems used for eligibility determinations such as AZTECS, OnBase, FAA on-line manual, HEAPlus, Google tools, etc.

Responsibilities

• Onboard and mentor new Eligibility Interviewers.
• Plan workflow and daily assignments.
• Participate in process-improvement work groups.
• Prepare data for huddle boards.
• Conduct eligibility determinations as necessary.
• Assist with determining initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Federal & State law knowledge

FAA systems

Mathematical computation

Customer service

Community resources

Tools

AZTECS

OnBase

HEAPlus

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST SENIOR

Job Location:

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
Family Assistance Administration (FAA)
1601 West Saint Mary's Road, Tucson, Arizona 85745 (St. Mary's Hospital)

Posting Details:

Salary: 21.4308

Grade: 19

Closing Date: October 15, 2026

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior at the St. Mary's Hospital.

This position serves as a Lead position over Eligibility Interviewers Specialist, providing assistance, direction, monitoring and training in areas of fraud, overpayment interviewing and investigative techniques. This position is also responsible for performing complex eligibility work, to include determining initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs and services. This is an in-person, on site-position located at St. Mary's Hospital. This person will need to abide by hospital rules and policies related to annual and mandatory vaccinations, testing and screenings.

Job Duties:

• Assist with on-boarding new Eligibility Interviewers.
• Mentor, coach, train and educate Eligibility Interviewers that are returning from training on case read summary’s; ensure accuracy on each determination per policy and procedures for each program applied for.
• Plan workflow and control daily working arrangement for assignments or duties assigned.
• Attend and participate in work groups involving process improvements.
• Compile data to update huddle boards.
• Conducts eligibility determination, as necessary.
• Receives, reads, and formulates responses to incoming correspondence from clients, confers with complainants either in person or by telephone to gather additional information for their eligibility determination to ensure immediate resolution.
• Assists with determining initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and processing cases.
• Ensure accuracy and timely completion on assignments and projects.
• Meet daily objectives, performance measures and goals of the agency.
• Prepare for regional and state reviews and audits.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Interviewing and Assessment techniques
• Federal and State laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to public assistance programs.
• Computer programs/systems utilized by Family Assistance Administration (FAA) for eligibility determinations such as, AZTECS, OnBase, FAA on-line manual, HEAPlus, Google tools, applications, etc.
• Mathematical computation.
• Interviewing and assessment techniques.
• Community resources.
• Customer service practices.

Skills in:

• Interviewing and active listening to obtain accurate information.
• Monitoring and tracking automate activity.
• Written and verbal communication to explain and interpret Federal and State laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to the area of assignment.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and make appropriate decisions.
• Resolve program relates issues.
• Provide technical support to staff.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
• Access, maintain, review, and interpret database information.
• Compile and present program information.
• Lead, direct and train other Eligibility Interviewers.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Explain program benefits, requirements, procedures, and complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Selective Preference(s):

• The ideal candidate for this position will have 2 years of experience performing eligibility reviews and determinations.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirement
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Abide by hospital rules and policies related to annual and mandatory vaccinations, testing and screenings.

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and Long-Term Disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant to Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Angelina Clerry at 928-606-3823 or [e-mail]

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Angelina Clerry at 928-606-3823 or [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.