Client Relations Specialist

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

Job summary

Dakota County seeks a Client Relations Specialist to evaluate residents' needs across social, economic, and health issues and connect them with appropriate county, state, and local services. You will help clients navigate complex systems, promote self-sufficiency, and work across departments to minimize barriers to eligibility.

The role is designated Safety Sensitive and may start in-office with potential hybrid schedule as experience grows; typical hours are full-time, Monday through Friday,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of qualifying experience.
• Associate's degree with 4 years of qualifying experience.
• High school diploma or GED with 6 years of qualifying experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Determine/redetermine client level of service needs and potential eligibility for programs and community resources.
• Assist clients with applying and maintaining benefits, provide education and support to clients regarding program services and benefits.
• Determine which barriers exist and examine ways to mitigate the impact and provide best available services.
• Coordinate services by collaborating with other team members, interdepartmental staff and external service providers.
• Provide client advocacy services within Dakota County and external agencies.
• Represent the agency in internal and external workgroups and advisory committees, document and prepare presentations.
• 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.
• Provide training on programs, work methods, and procedures to other staff.
• Assists management in the evaluation of effectiveness of interdepartmental programs and processes; makes recommendations to develop or revise procedures for the consideration of management.
• May transport clients to appointments.
• Accompany clients to treatment or required meetings and maintain associated records.
• Other duties as assigned

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MAXIS

MEC2

Job description

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree AND 2 years of qualifying experience


• OR


• Associate's degree AND 4 years of qualifying experience


• OR


• High school diploma or GED AND 6 years of qualifying experience


• AND 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.).

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions


• We assign you a score based on your qualifications


• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration


• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer


• We extend an offer and conduct background check