Eligibility Specialist I

Utah Department of Workforce Services; Manti (UT); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Department of Workforce Services is hiring Eligibility Specialist I in the Eligibility Services Division. The role involves determining eligibility for programs like TANF, GA, SNAP, Medicaid, and Child Care through interviewing and fact gathering.

The position emphasizes accurate policy application, customer service, and teamwork, with potential for hybrid work after training. The department highlights strong benefits and a focus on serving Utah communities.

Qualifications

• Four years of work experience in customer service, call centers, determining eligibility for unemployment, veteran benefits, loans, financial assistance, or social service programs, or other similar work.
• Or associate’s degree with two years work experience
• Or bachelor’s degree with one year work experience
• Effective communication skills with ability to communicate with customers and co-workers from all backgrounds.
• Analytical problem-solving experience to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Preference may be given to applicants who are bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Make timely and accurate eligibility determinations for appropriate benefits and programs in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Assist customers seeking financial and other supportive services by identifying and assessing service needs through daily processing of an individual and team caseload.
• Accurately apply complex policies and procedures in determining initial and/or continuing eligibility.
• Manage high-volume inbound phone shifts to conduct case interviews, provide status updates, and guide customers on available programs and benefits.
• Exercise good judgment in working with customers who need assistance in utilizing community, department or government resources.
• Ensure timely delivery of services in compliance with federal regulations.
• Utilize discretion and empathy to support customers.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Analytical problem-solving

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Associate’s degree with two years work experience

Bachelor’s degree with one year work experience

Job description

Are you a compassionate person who enjoys helping others? The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is looking for skilled and motivated individuals to fill Eligibility Specialist I positions within the Eligibility Services Division.

The Eligibility Specialist position serves a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of benefits for public assistance programs. In this position you will work within a team structure to determine eligibility of customers for programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid or Child Care through interactive interviewing and fact gathering.

Job Duties

• Make timely and accurate eligibility determinations for appropriate benefits and programs in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines
• Assist customers seeking financial and other supportive services by identifying and assessing service needs through daily processing of an individual and team caseload.
• Accurately apply complex policies and procedures in determining initial and/or continuing eligibility.
• Manage high-volume inbound phone shifts to conduct case interviews, provide status updates, and guide customers on available programs and benefits.
• Exercise good judgment in working with customers who need assistance in utilizing community, department or government resources.
• Ensure timely delivery of services in compliance with federal regulations.
• Utilize discretion and empathy to support customers.

Want to see what a day in the life looks like? Watch this brief video for a preview of the Eligibility Specialist responsibilities and helpful insights about the role.

https://jobs.utah.gov/esdcareer.html

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Four years of work experience in customer service, call centers, determining eligibility for unemployment, veteran benefits, loans, financial assistance, or social service programs, or other similar work
• Or associate’s degree with two years work experience
• Or bachelor’s degree with one year work experience
• Effective communication skills with ability to communicate with customers and co-workers from all backgrounds.
• Analytical problem-solving experience to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Preference may be given to applicants who are bilingual in English and Spanish.

Training

Successful applicants will be required to train in person for two weeks in the Manti DWS office. For these two weeks the Manti office will be considered the home office, and you will be required to travel on your own time and make your own travel arrangements.

After the in-person training in Manti, the remaining 6 weeks of training will be conducted in a DWS office within 50 miles of your home, contingent on space availability. Please note that space is currently unavailable at the Richfield, Utah location.

After 6 months, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule (2 days in the office, 3 days remote work) with additional in office attendance required for team meetings and mandatory training. Approval of hybrid remote work is based on performance and is at the discretion of your supervisor and manager.

State of Utah employees must reside in Utah.

In recognition of Governor Cox's Executive Order on rural Utah hiring, preference may be given to those applicants who physically reside outside the Wasatch Front.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Utah

The State of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:

• Employer subsidized medical plans, vision and dental plans
• Employer funder HSA options for qualifying medical plans
• Robust paid time off including 12 paid holidays
• Paid postpartum, parental, foster, and adoption leave
• Employer-paid long term disability and life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free parking for most locations

Find more comprehensive benefits information here: https://dhrm.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Benefits-at-a-GlanceFY27.pdf

And calculate your potential total compensation here! https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/93d5b7e8-bd4b-49d8-97c3-0e2c5e142be5/page/0FGHF

About the Role

Location

55 S Main, Suite 3

Manti, Utah, 84642

United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required – No

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

We strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].