Client Relations Specialist

Dakota County, Minnesota; West Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AFSCME union

Hybrid work schedule possible

Job summary

Dakota County seeks a Client Relations Specialist to assess residents' social, economic, and health needs and connect them with the right county, state, and local resources. You will navigate complex systems, promote self-sufficiency, and advocate for eligible clients across departments and partners.

This role requires a Bachelor's or equivalent plus experience, or an Associate's with more years, or a high school diploma with substantial experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2 years of qualifying experience required.
• Associate's degree with 4 years of qualifying experience required.
• High school diploma or GED with 6 years of qualifying experience required.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• One year of qualifying experience must have occurred in Minnesota within the past two years.
• Knowledge and experience using MAXIS and MEC2 preferred.
• Regular attendance according to the management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Responsibilities

• Interview Dakota County residents to assess needs and identify resources.
• Determine client service needs and eligibility for programs.
• Assist clients with applying for benefits and provide education.
• Identify barriers and mitigate impact to improve service.
• Coordinate services with team, departments, and external providers.
• Provide client advocacy within and outside the county.
• Represent the agency in workgroups and committees; present findings.
• Support diversity initiatives and equitable service delivery.
• Provide training on programs and procedures to staff.
• Support evaluation of interdepartmental program effectiveness.
• May transport clients to appointments.
• Accompany clients to meetings and maintain records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Analytical thinking

Emotional intelligence

Communication skills

Community resources knowledge

Diversity & equity awareness

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree with 2 years qualifying experience

Associate's degree with 4 years qualifying experience

High school diploma or GED with 6 years qualifying experience

Tools

MAXIS

MEC2

Job description

Posting Info

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Employment and Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full Time
PREFERRED SALARY RANGE: $65,638 - $82,048
FULL SALARY RANGE: $65,638 - $102,560/year (Grade 107)
LOCATION: Northern Service Center
UNION: AFSCME
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 10/29/2026

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

What You Will Do

Client Relations Specialists

evaluate Dakota County residents' basic needs, health and well-being are met by assessing their social, economic, and health related issues. They promote self-sufficiency and identify appropriate services for clients by helping clients navigate multiple County, State and Local systems and processes to obtain needed services. Client Relations Specialists facilitate effective interdepartmental programs, processes, and communications and navigate systems to minimize barriers to program eligibility for clients working with multiple departments. The Client Relations Specialist serves as a liaison across departments, with providers and contracted agencies for people, systems, and processes and navigate multiple systems with clients to ensure eligibility requirements are met appropriately and in a timely fashion.

* Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

Bachelor's degree AND2 years of qualifying experience

OR

Associate's degree AND4 years of qualifying experience

OR

High school diploma or GED AND6 years of qualifying experience

A valid driver's license is required.

What counts as qualifying experience?

Work as a financial worker

OR

A mix of financial worker experience and experience in public sector, human services, education/training, or the financial industry.

AND One year of the qualifying experience must have occurred in Minnesota within the past two years.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge and experience using MAXIS and MEC2

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Interview over the telephone, virtually and/or in-person Dakota County residents to assess their needs, gather information, and determine which available resources can meet those needs.
2. Determine/redetermine client level of service needs and potential eligibility for programs and community resources.
3. Assist clients with applying and maintaining benefits, provide education and support to clients regarding program services and benefits.
4. Determine which barriers exist and examine ways to mitigate the impact and provide best available services.
5. Coordinate services by collaborating with other team members, interdepartmental staff and external service providers.
6. Provide client advocacy services within Dakota County and external agencies.
7. Represent the agency in internal and external workgroups and advisory committees, document and prepare presentations.
8. Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity County wide and actively supports the County's diversity initiatives and works to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
9. Provide training on programs, work methods, and procedures to other staff.
10. Assists management in the evaluation of effectiveness of interdepartmental programs and processes; makes recommendations to develop or revise procedures for the consideration of management.
11. May transport clients to appointments.
12. Accompany clients to treatment or required meetings and maintain associated records.
13. Other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1-12

• Knowledge of and an ability to demonstrate understanding and respect for the diversity of clients, staff, and co-workers.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Working knowledge of computer software and information systems.
• Extensive knowledge of economic assistance, social service and public health and welfare programs and resources.
• Knowledge of or the desire to learn about mental and physical illness, developmental disabilities, adult, and child protection criteria.
• Strong customer service skills to ensure effective interactions with both internal and external customers.
• Strong analytical and emotional intelligence skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally, virtually, and in writing.
• Ability to assess a persons' social, economic, emotional, and health needs.
• Ability to assess complex life situations and make related decisions and recommendations to resolve problems.
• Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, multiple departments and County associates in a professional manner.
• Ability to create a respectful workplace that promotes equity and addresses the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
• Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions.
• Ability to organize work efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to prioritize work within the agency according to client and agency needs.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze, and coordinate work.

Work Environment

Work is primarily sedentary; it is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table. There is some walking and travel to sites in the community and client's homes for meetings and conferences away from the regular place of work. Items carried typically include light objects such as briefcases, laptops, notebooks, work papers, and reports. Lifting of moderately heavy objects generally is not required.

Location & Schedule

Staff in this classification will start by working full-time in the office for training purposes. Once there is demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability to complete assigned work, it may lead to a hybrid schedule. In-person work is at our Northern Service Center inWest St. Paul, MN and telework needs to be completed in a designated off-site location. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).