Eligibility Specialist I (DCR-ESD) - Food & Nutrition Services

Mecklenburg County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Mecklenburg County as an Eligibility Specialist I to support the Food & Nutrition Services program. In this full-time, entry-level role, you’ll perform customer service activities, verify eligibility for benefits, and assist clients in accessing federal assistance for food purchases. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and experience in customer service.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of customer service experience or completion of the CPCC Caseworker Training Program.
• Relevant education and experience accepted.
• May require a valid North or South Carolina Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Assist call center or walk-in contacts and gather customer information.
• Verify customer information through documentation and online searches.
• Process applications for basic benefits.

Skills

Customer service principles

Active listening

Service orientation

Effective communication

Teamwork

Computer proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Eligibility Specialist I (DCR-ESD) - Food & Nutrition Services

Join us to apply for the Eligibility Specialist I (DCR-ESD) - Food & Nutrition Services role at Mecklenburg County.

This position involves performing customer service activities and determining initial and ongoing eligibility for the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program, which provides federal assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase food, improve nutrition, and alleviate hunger. Benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for eligible food purchases.

Position Details:

• Location: The Kuralt Centre, 301 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte NC 28211
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (In-office only)

Essential Functions include:

• Assist call center or walk-in contacts, interview customers, gather information, and input data into systems.
• Verify customer information through documentation, online searches, and calls.
• Process applications for basic benefits.
• Respond to inquiries regarding services, documentation, and benefits.
• Maintain client and program data.

Qualifications:

• Minimum two years of customer service experience or successful completion of the CPCC Caseworker Training Program.
• High School Diploma or equivalent; relevant education and experience accepted.
• May require a valid North or South Carolina Driver's License.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience with NC FAST and eligibility determination for FNS.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Customer service principles, active listening, service orientation, effective communication, teamwork, and computer proficiency.

Additional Notes:

• Assessment: Applicants must pass an eligibility assessment with 80%+ score.
• Training: Structured program with performance expectations, including an exam and ongoing assessments.
• Work Environment: Office setting with moderate noise.

Salary Range: $20.00 - $23.07 per hour, based on education and experience.

This position is an entry-level, full-time role within government administration, with a focus on social services.

For more information, visit the state and county sites linked in the original description.