Economic Support Specialist – Mfld

WCA: Wisconsin Counties Association; Kentucky; On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Wisconsin Retirement System

457 deferred compensation plan

Vacation and Sick Time

10 Paid Holidays

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Short and Long-Term Disability

Wellness Incentive Plan

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Wood County Human Services Department seeks an Economic Support Specialist to determine eligibility for public assistance, primarily by phone, applying federal and state rules to individual cases.

Requirements include a high school diploma or a two-year degree in business or human services, strong communication and interviewing skills, and proficiency with word processing. This is a full-time role with competitive benefits and a focus on serving the community.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or higher is required.
• Two-year post-secondary degree in business or human services or 60 credits.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills are essential.
• Experience with interviewing and assessing client needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide information about and determine eligibility for public assistance.
• Interpret and apply federal and state laws to case circumstances.
• Interview and assess clients’ needs primarily by phone.
• Respond to public inquiries and refer to community resources.
• Maintain courteous and informative public relations.

Skills

Typing 35 wpm

Communication

Interviewing

Education

High School diploma

Two-year post-secondary degree (60 credits) in business or human services

Tools

Word processing

Job description

Application Deadline: 2026-10-05

Job Type: County

Job Description

WHO WE ARE:

The Wood County Human Services Department has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

What We Offer

In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:

• Health Insurance – we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Vacation and Sick Time – Start accruing for both on your first day!
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Incentive Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Current Opportunity To Join Our Team

The Wood County Human Services Department has a full-time (.97 FTE) openings for an Economic Support Specialist position in Marshfield, WI. The Economic Support Specialist provides information about and determines eligibility for categorical aids available through public assistance. Interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations, policy and procedures to individual case circumstances in order to meet the needs of low-income families. Most interactions will occur primarily by phone.

Responsibilities

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Provide information about and determine eligibility for categorical aids available through public assistance.
• Interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations, policy and procedures to individual case circumstances in order to meet the needs of low-income families.
• Interview and assess client’s needs for public assistance, primarily by phone.
• Receive phone calls from the public regarding a variety of public assistance questions, assess client needs; and make appropriate referrals to various community resources.
• Treat customers and co-workers with respect and sensitivity.
• Listen effectively; assure mutual understanding of customer’s intent and concerns by ongoing process of feedback and clarification.
• Write and speak clearly and concisely to communicate program requirements. Create opportunities to clarify and expand on understanding.
• Participate in special assignments, work group, and committees to improve quality and accuracy of service delivery.
• Process changes to determine eligibility for public assistance programs which includes strict enforcement of all eligibility requirements, investigative interviewing, budget computation, case documentation, completion of a variety of forms, and computer usage.
• Communicate in a courteous and informative manner to maintain good public relations.
• Responsible to know and practice the safety policies of the county. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
• Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.
• OTHER JOB DUTIES
• Prepare and present information regarding program services to clients, general public, community groups, County and municipal officials and other interested parties.
• Represent the department in legal proceedings and fair hearings and gives necessary testimony.
• Identify any over issuance of benefits and refer to investigation agency or process recovery as deemed appropriate.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Experience, Training, Qualifications

High School diploma, as well as a two-year post-secondary degree in business or human services; or two years of college (60 credits) in business or human services; or a current Economic Support Specialist who has successfully completed the State mandatory economic support training. Word processing skills are essential, with typing skills of 35 wpm strongly preferred. Knowledge of human behavior, motivation, crisis intervention, family and group dynamics, money management, interviewing and assessment skills, organizational and inter-personal skills are necessary. Excellent oral, interviewing and written communication skills. Basic everyday living skills are needed, as is the ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Reading, writing, adding, and subtracting skills are needed.

Basic office equipment used: copy machine, computer terminal and printer, FAX machine, calculator, and telephone.

AA/EEO