Eligibility Specialist I

Bay County Chamber of Commerce; Early (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Company-paid life insurance and short‑

Paid time off (PTO)

Company-paid holidays

Incentive bonus program

Job summary

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is seeking an Eligibility Specialist I to join the Operations Team. The role focuses on reviewing applications and documentation to determine family eligibility for early learning programs in adherence to state guidelines.

The successful candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of handling multiple cases in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and compliance with program policies.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent is required or preferred.
• 2+ years in eligibility determination, case management, social services, or public assistance preferred.
• HS diploma or equivalent with 2 years of experience acceptable.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills for reviewing documentation and determinations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with database systems, data entry, and MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service to families through eligibility and enrollment.
• Review and verify documentation to determine family eligibility for the School Readiness program.
• Calculate household income and determine parent co-payments and billing groups.
• Maintain clear case notes for each client file for compliance and audit readiness.
• Utilize the Coalition’s databases to complete eligibility determinations, enrollments, and case management.
• Monitor the School Readiness Wait List and notify families as funding becomes available.
• Process VPK registrations, enrollments, and transfers for eligible children.
• Review uploaded documents to confirm eligibility requirements (address, income, birth certificates, IDs).
• Compile and report family services, eligibility, and enrollment data within deadlines.
• Process referrals and communicate with families, employers, childcare providers, and partners via phone or email.
• Provide guidance to families on program requirements and refer to CCR&R when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with all policies and regulations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Analytical skills

Communication

Data entry

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

HS diploma with 2 years experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida

The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is seeking a detail-oriented and service-driven Eligibility Specialist I to join our Operations Team. The ideal candidate is highly organized, resourceful, and committed to helping families access quality early learning services. This position is an administrative and eligibility determination role responsible for reviewing applications and documentation to determine family eligibility for early learning programs in accordance with state guidelines.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple cases in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and compliance with program policies.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service to families in assisting them through the eligibility and enrollment process.
• Review and verify supporting documentation to accurately determine family eligibility for the School Readiness program.
• Calculate household income and determine parent co-payments and appropriate billing groups in accordance with program guidelines.
• Maintain clear, concise, and accurate case notes for each client file to ensure program compliance and audit readiness.
• Utilize the Coalition’s database systems and software to complete eligibility determinations, enrollments, and case management activities.
• Maintain and monitor the School Readiness Wait List, ensuring families are properly notified and processed as funding becomes available.
• Process Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) registrations, enrollments, and transfers for eligible children.
• Review uploaded documentation such as proof of address, income verification, birth certificates, school schedules, and government-issued identification to confirm eligibility requirements.
• Compile and report family services, eligibility, and enrollment data accurately and within required timeframes.
• Process referrals and communicate with families, employers, childcare providers, and community partners as needed via phone or email.
• Provide guidance to families on program requirements and refer families to Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) services when assistance locating childcare providers is needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information and ensure compliance with all program policies, procedures, and state regulations.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in eligibility determination, case management, social services, or public assistance programs preferred.
• Or HS diploma or equivalent with 2 years of experience
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to review documentation and make accurate determinations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in database systems, data entry, and Microsoft Office applications.

Additional Requirements

• Verification of required education and/or credentials
• Level II Background Check
• Drug Screen
• Valid Florida Driver License
• E-Verify authorization
• High-speed internet access (minimum 50 Mbps) when working from a secure home location

Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

Benefits Offered

• Eligibility for health and dental insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Paid time off (PTO) accrued on an ongoing basis
• Company-paid holidays
• Eligibility for participation in the company incentive bonus program (subject to Board approval and plan terms)

Job Details

Job Type: Full-time Salary Range: $19.00 – $23.00 per hour Closing Date: Open until filled

Employment Conditions

• Successful Level II background screening
• Passing a drug test
• Satisfactory reference checks
• Verification of highest level of education completed
• Completion of all onboarding documents including the ELCNWF employment application and employment/noncompete/confidentiality agreements

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.