Economic Assistance Benefit Specialist

State of South Dakota; Mitchell (SD); On-site; USD 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick leave

Retirement benefits (SDRS)

Job summary

The State of South Dakota, Department of Social Services, is hiring for a full-time eligibility specialist in Huron or Mitchell. You will assess life circumstances and financial resources to determine medical eligibility and benefits, interviewing clients, collecting records, and applying policies to ensure timely assistance.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in social or related fields and experience in health care administration or insurance preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, or other human service fields, business admin, public admin, education, public health is preferred.
• Entry level knowledge may be gained through training/experience to possess required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess and analyze life circumstances and financial resources to provide medical eligibility assistance; interview, counsel, and identify resources.
• Obtain records, verify information and determine eligibility for multiple social service programs.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding social services and benefits; interpret rules, regulations, and policies to ensure appropriate benefits.

Skills

Communication

Planning & organizing

Compassion & tact

Problem-solving

Stakeholder collaboration

Confidentiality understanding

Policy interpretation

Documentation & reporting

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in social science or related field

Experience in health care admin/finance/insurance

Job description

Job ID: 37416

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: Huron or Mitchell SD

Salary: $24.77 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 09/25/2026

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on DSS, please visit https://dss.sd.gov/ .

We are currently looking to hire an individual who is excited to serve the public.

This position assesses and analyzes current life circumstances and financial capabilities to provide medical eligibility assistance to low income individuals and their families by interviewing, counseling, and identifying available resources; obtaining records, verifying collateral information and determining eligibility for multiple social service programs; responding to public inquiries regarding social services and benefits; and interpreting rules, regulations, and policies to ensure appropriate benefits and services are provided in an effective and expedient manner to assist in the individual's basic self-sufficiency.

Licenses And Certifications

A bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, or other human service-related fields, business administration, public administration, education, or public health, and/or experience in health care administration, finance, accounting, or insurance is preferred. Entry level knowledge and abilities may be acquired through any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the incumbent to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• communicate effectively and efficiently;
• successfully plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines;
• demonstrate compassion, respect, courtesy and tact when interacting with others;
• display confidence and innovation despite adversity;
• establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders;
• understand concepts related to client confidentiality;
• have the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws and regulations;
• prepare clear and concise documentation, reports and correspondence that reflect relevant facts;
• assume initiative with minimal supervision.

Equally important will be a strong work ethic and the comprehension of critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. If you believe in strengthening and supporting strong families and investing in South Dakota’s future, you may have found the dream job you’ve been waiting for!

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• a highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• a compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas;
• a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities;
• a person who is dedicated and who will represent the Department of Social Service with integrity and enthusiasm;
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

Additional Requirements

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"