Eligibility Specialist II - HOPE

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks vacation leave

Health Insurance Coverage

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking an Eligibility Specialist II in Augusta to support HOPE program development and rural health transformation. You will handle interviews, data gathering, and eligibility determinations in a fast-paced environment, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.

Partial telework is possible with management approval. Responsibilities include interviewing clients, evaluating documentation, and explaining program eligibility rules.

Qualifications

• A four (4) year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience in a social services setting– OR – a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Business Administration, or other related field
• Proven interviewing and data gathering skills are required to form the basis for eligibility determinations, claims resolutions, or customer service requests

Responsibilities

• Interview clients, obtain and assess all necessary facts and documentation for eligibility
• Evaluate information and apply allowable standards and criteria
• Explain eligibility requirements, rules and rights to clients and their representatives
• Review information for accuracy, identify inconsistencies and request documents
• Answer inquiries and refer clients to various programs
• Enter data into an automated system and ensure accurate eligibility results
• Communicate with clients, co-workers and other agencies
• Perform intermediate mathematical calculations
• Maintain confidentiality of all applicant and recipient information

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Data gathering

Communication skills

Education

4-year combination of education/training/experience in social services setting

Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Eligibility Specialist II

Opening Date: October 29, 2026

Closing Date: November 12, 2026

Job Class Code: 5073

Grade:21 (Professional & Technical Services)

Salary:$22.51 - $31.50 per hour*

*New State employees begin at Step 1, $22.51 per hour

Position Number: 20002-4874

Location:Augusta

Limited Period Position

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

Core Responsibilities:

The limited period HOPE Eligibility Specialist II position will assist with the administrative and operational functions that allow the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program’s development and implementation of Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Plan to engage and support student parents who will grow the rural healthcare workforce. Work is done in a fast-paced environment that has high standards for customer service and program accuracy. The position gathers sensitive and personal information to make timely and accurate eligibility determinations. Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are necessary as the Eligibility Specialist interacts with people from different walks of life and/or in various emotional states.

Typical Duties:

• Interview clients, obtains and assesses all necessary facts, data, supporting information, and documentation pertaining to the application or recertification for public assistance.
• Evaluate information and applies allowable standards and criteria.
• Explain program eligibility requirements, rules, regulations and individual rights and responsibilities to clients and their representatives.
• Reviews and analyzes information for accuracy; identifies inconsistencies; requests necessary documentation; verifies and validates data.
• Answers inquiries and refers clients to various programs.
• Accurately enters data into an automated system and ensures accurate eligibility results.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with clients, co-workers and other agencies.
• Perform intermediate mathematical calculations.
• Maintain confidentiality of all applicant and recipient information.

Minimum Qualifications:

A four (4) year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience a social services setting which demonstrates interviewing and data gathering skills as needed to form basis for judgments in eligibility determinations, claims resolutions, and/or customer service requests– OR – a Bachelors Degree in Social Services, Business Administration, or other related field

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State’s population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office for Family Independence (OFI) is responsible for administration of eligibility determination for a number of programs, including MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Supplement, Fraud and Recovery, and Child Support.

For additional information about this position please contact Marcus Hatch at [phone] or by email at [e-mail]

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—“Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated foranything less than full-time.

There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.