Eligibility Specialist II - HOPE

Department of Marine Resources; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Augusta, ME, seeks an Eligibility Specialist II to support the HOPE program. The role involves gathering information, evaluating eligibility, and communicating with clients and agencies to ensure accurate determinations.

This limited period position allows partial telework with management approval. Applicants should have a four-year combined education/experience in social services or a relevant Bachelor's degree.

Qualifications

• A four year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience in a social services setting.
• A Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Business Administration, or related field may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and gather necessary facts and documentation for eligibility determinations.
• Evaluate information against program rules and determine eligibility outcomes.
• Explain eligibility requirements and client rights to applicants and representatives.
• Verify data, resolve inconsistencies, and request additional documentation as needed.
• Communicate with clients and colleagues in writing and verbally; provide referrals to programs.
• Enter data into automated systems and ensure accurate results; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Interviewing

Data gathering

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Services 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.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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

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.

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 accru