ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION SPECIALIST - 10272026- 82032

State of Tennessee; Paris (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee is seeking a full-time Eligibility Assistant in Paris, TN. You will interview customers by phone or in person to determine initial and ongoing SNAP/TANF eligibility and provide case management under supervision.

This is a learning-level position that will reclassify to Eligibility Counselor 2 after one year of mandatory training; performance issues may trigger demotion or separation. A Bachelor's degree is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; substitutions allowed with related experience.
• Two years of para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or similar role may substitute for education.
• Criminal background check required prior to consideration.

Responsibilities

• Learns to manage a workload of initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF.
• Learns to provide case management for eligibility and changes to assess ongoing eligibility.
• Learns to calculate monthly income and expenses for budgeting and documents verifications in a case system.
• Learns to protect confidentiality while reviewing data from customers and systems.
• Learns to assist customers with the application process and scheduling.
• Learns to explain program policies and responsibilities to customers to ensure understanding.
• Learns to identify benefits and services and make referrals when appropriate.
• Learns to develop partnerships with vendors and organizations to meet customer needs.

Skills

Tech Savvy

Decision Quality

Time Management

Active Learning

Complex Problem Solving

Written Comprehension

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

General Office Equipment

Computer/Laptop/Tablet

Multifunctional Printer

Calculator

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/27/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/09/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $3,261.00 - $4,081.00

Salary (Annually) $39,132.00 - $48,972.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Paris, TN

Department Human Services

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, HENRY COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional eligibility determination experience and/or a combination of para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

OR

Two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.


• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.


• Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records clerk.

Overview

This classification learns to perform eligibility determination work of average difficulty. An employee in this class is customer facing and learns to interview customers and determine eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs. This classification performs responsibilities at the learning level under direct supervision. This classification differs from the Eligibility Counselor 2 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level.

• An applicant appointed to this classification will be reclassified to an Eligibility Counselor 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; 'unacceptable' or 'needs improvement' performance ratings during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Learns to manage a workload of initial and on-going eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs based on specific demographic and economic criteria in accordance with Federal and State requirements through independently conducting probing interviews with customers by phone or in person.


• Learns to provide case management for initial SNAP and TANF eligibility, ongoing eligibility, and customer changes to assess impact on continued eligibility through direct customer engagement via phone or in person.


• Learns to calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting. Documents information regarding verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case-related activity using a computerized case record and/or paper case files.


• Learns to ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying and utilizing data provided by customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.


• Learns to assist customers with the application process and scheduling appointments.


• Learns to review and interprets program policy and explains eligibility and ongoing responsibilities for programs/services to ensure customer understanding.


• Learns to assess customer's strengths and considers their goals, desired outcomes, work activities, and supportive services to aid in self-sufficiency. Identifies benefits and services that may be available to customers within the Department or from external sources and makes referrals as appropriate.


• Learns to develop and maintains partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs and identify available services and benefits to effectively meet customer needs and promote self-sufficiency.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Tech Savvy


• Decision Quality


• Optimizes Work Processes


• Communicates Effectively


• Instills Trust

Knowledges

• Customer and Personal Language


• English Language

Skills

• Mathematics


• Active Learning and Listening


• Complex Problem Solving


• Time Management

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning


• Inductive Reasoning


• Problem Sensitivity


• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• General Office Equipment


• Computer/Laptop/Tablet


• Multifunctional Printer (Print/Scan/Fax/Copy)


• Calculator