Eligibility Specialist II - Long Term Care

maine; Machias (ME); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks vacation

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maine seeks an Eligibility Specialist II to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance, with a MaineCare focus. The role involves data gathering, client interviews, and high-standards service in a fast-paced environment.

The position supports confidentiality, effective communication, and accurate data entry, with possible partial telework with management approval.

Qualifications

• Four-year combination of education, training, and/or experience in social services settings.
• Ability to interview, gather data, and determine eligibility for public assistance.
• Willingness to explain program requirements and rights to clients.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and collect facts, data, and documents for applications or recertifications.
• Evaluate information using applicable standards and criteria.
• Explain eligibility rules and client rights to applicants and representatives.
• Verify data accuracy, request missing docs, and resolve inconsistencies.
• Enter data accurately into automated systems and communicate with clients and agencies.
• Perform intermediate mathematical calculations and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Interviewing

Data gathering

Customer service

Conflict resolution

Communication

Education

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

Job description

Eligibility Specialist II

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: September 9, 2026

Closing Date: September 22, 2026

Job Class Code: 5073

Grade: 21 (Professional & Technical Services)

Salary: $21.54 - $30.14 per hour*

*New State employees begin at Step 1, $21.54 per hour

Position Number: 02000-2794

Location: Machias

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 position of Eligibility Specialist II determines initial and continued eligibility for public assistance programs. This vacancy is within the Long-Term Care Eligibility Unit and has a strong focus on MaineCare policy.
• The position may also perform quality control work by reviewing eligibility decisions made by others.
• 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 accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt emp