Eligibility Specialist I

Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Bonus program

Job summary

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is seeking an Eligibility Specialist I to support the Operations Team. This role reviews applications and documents to determine family eligibility for state early learning programs, ensuring compliance and accurate data entry.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and capable of handling multiple cases in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high-quality customer service and program integrity.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years in eligibility determination or related social services work.
• HS diploma with 2+ years of relevant experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Assist families through eligibility and enrollment processes.
• Review and verify documentation to determine eligibility for School Readiness program.
• Calculate household income and determine co-payments and billing groups.
• Maintain clear case notes for each client file for compliance and audit readiness.
• Use database systems to complete determinations, enrollments, and case management.
• Manage School Readiness Wait List and inform families as funding becomes available.
• Process VPK registrations, enrollments, and transfers for eligible children.
• Review uploaded proofs such as address, income verification, birth certificates, schedules, and IDs to confirm eligibility.
• Compile and report family services and enrollment data within required timeframes.
• Communicate with families, employers, childcare providers, and partners via phone or email.
• Refer families to CCR&R services when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with policies and state regulations.

Skills

Customer service

Eligibility determinations

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Documentation review

Data entry

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

Database systems

Microsoft Office

E-Verify

Job description

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Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida

TheEarly Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is seeking a detail-oriented and service-drivenEligibility 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 verifysupporting documentation to accurately determine family eligibility for theSchool Readiness program.
• Calculate household income and determineparent co-payments and appropriate billing groups in accordance with program guidelines.
• Maintainclear, concise, and accurate case notes for each client file to ensure program compliance and audit readiness.
• Utilize the Coalition’sdatabase systems and software to complete eligibility determinations, enrollments, and case management activities.
• Maintain and monitor theSchool Readiness Wait List, ensuring families are properly notified and processed as funding becomes available.
• ProcessVoluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) registrations, enrollments, and transfers for eligible children.
• Review uploaded documentation such asproof of address, income verification, birth certificates, school schedules, and government-issued identification to confirm eligibility requirements.
• Compile and reportfamily services, eligibility, and enrollment data accurately and within required timeframes.
• Process referrals and communicate withfamilies, employers, childcare providers, and community partners as needed via phone or email.
• Provide guidance to families on program requirements and refer families toChild Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) services when assistance locating childcare providers is needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information and ensure compliance with allprogram 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

Employment in this position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining satisfactory:

• Verification of required education and/or credentials
• Drug Screen
• E-Verify authorization
• High-speed internet access (minimum50 Mbps) when working from a secure home location

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

Benefits Offered

Our compensation package includes the following options (subject to plan terms and policy changes):

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

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

Employment Conditions

Job offers are contingent upon completion of the following:

• 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.