Eligibility Worker

Douglas-County,-Mn; Alexandria (MN); On-site; USD 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

COLA

Anniversary step increases

Job summary

Douglas County in Minnesota is seeking an Eligibility Worker to determine client eligibility for income maintenance programs and provide guidance on applying for assistance. You will interview clients, educate the public, assist with applications (including Language Line), and maintain case records.

The role emphasizes accurate data entry, adherence to program rules, and collaboration with community resources.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; college credits or substitute program as noted.
• Valid Minnesota Class D driver license or ability to obtain on start.
• Ability to establish relationships and communicate effectively with diverse clients.
• Data entry and keyboarding; accurate and rapid processing of information.
• Organize work, set priorities, and work independently under stress.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients to determine potential program eligibility and verify information.
• Educate individuals or groups about programs, services, and resources via multiple channels.
• Assist clients with completing applications, including Language Line for interpretive services.
• Enter case information into computer systems and keep accurate records.
• Re-determine eligibility as needed and update cases based on changes in income or status.
• Refer clients to other programs and community resources; assist with appeals and hearings as required.

Skills

communication skills

interviews & assessment

data entry

keyboarding

organizational skills

multitasking under stress

language line interpretation

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Two years of college credits in behavioral sciences, business, or related

Technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker certificate program substitute for one year clerical experience

Three years of clerical experience or experience with the public

Two years of clerical experience in Social Service/Human Services

Job description

The first review of applications will be on October 2, 2026.

The first round of interviews will be held the week of October 5, 2026.

JOB TITLE: Eligibility Worker

DEPARTMENT: Social Services

STATUS: Full Time; 37.5 hrs/wk; Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

STARTING SALARY: The starting salary is $54,035 annually ($27.71/hr) based on the current pay grid.

Receive anniversary step increases. In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Eligibility Worker under general supervision is responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs and services, establishing initial and ongoing eligibility for multiple income maintenance programs; effectively communicating complex program requirements, and assisting program participants in understanding the criteria of each type of assistance; adapt to continuous policy updates, new system errors, legislative changes, and limited system functionality, support program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and addressing barriers to self-sufficiency; provide education, enrollment, and assistance to managed health care enrollees, make appropriate referrals to other community resources; and perform related work as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of those specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Interviews clients to determine potential eligibility for available programs and expedited services, obtain necessary factual information and verify information received.
• Provide information to educate individuals or groups about types of available programs, services, and resources to the public via telephone, mail, walk-ins, and presentations.
• Provide guidance on how to apply for programs, the application process, and necessary documentation.
• Assist clients with completing applications including utilizing the Language Line for interpretive services.
• Screen applications to determine which programs clients may potentially be eligible for based on their current needs. Request or forward applications and cases to other agencies if necessary.
• Provide specific program rules and eligibility criteria.
• Be knowledgeable of community resources to make appropriate client referrals.
• Refer clients to other programs of assistance in agency and community.
• Evaluate applications and verify the information for program eligibility and needed documentation.
• Determine and approve eligibility for accurate benefits based on client information and verifications following state and federal guidelines; applications must be processed within program timelines.
• Accurately enter case information into computer programs.
• Re-determine eligibility for benefits per program guidelines or depending on client’s change in income or status; suspend or close cases as necessary based on program eligibility.
• Evaluate and determine cost-effective health insurance payments and make updates to the computer program.
• Conduct continuous tracking of cases relating to client household changes, pending applications, retroactive coverage, time exemptions for certain programs, and any other factors which would affect eligibility for programs.
• Determine overpayments for all programs if applicable and report possible fraud cases to Fraud Prevention Investigator.
• Complete ongoing training (online, unit meetings, conferences) and provide training to new EW staff.
• Perform peer case reviews to maintain the accuracy of cases.
• Assist law enforcement, fraud investigators, and the county attorney's office in the preliminary investigation, and preparing cases for prosecution.
• Prepare county cases for appeal hearings and participate in appeal hearings or provide testimony in court as needed.
• Provides input to assist Supervisors in developing procedures for program areas that are left to the discretion of the county agency.
• Provide orientation, training, and ongoing system and program support to both new and experienced workers for each specifically assigned caseload.
• Provide backup caseload coverage for absent staff.
• Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.
• Reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties, as assigned or apparent.

In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it’s truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don’t need to see it don’t have access, stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota's Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE

High School Diploma or equivalent. Two years of study at an accredited two-or four-year college or university or similar institution, with an emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23-quarter credits or 16-semester credits); or
Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience working with the public; or
Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public or some combination of the two, totaling three years; or
Two years of clerical experience in a Social Service/Human Services agency.

Currently possess a valid Class D, Minnesota State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain upon start of employment.

REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, the public, co-workers, and agency administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both written and verbal form, with a culturally diverse clientele.
• Data entry and keyboarding.
• Accurately and rapidly process detailed information.
• Establish and maintain accurate and systematic records.
• Ability to manage multiple interruptions and be responsible for the time management of caseload.
• Troubleshoot and determine system problems vs. human error regarding the computer systems.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, make decisions, and work independently under stress.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: See minimum qualifications.

Experience: Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of available community resources.

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES

Knowledge of:

• Office procedures, practices, equipment, and software programs; interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews; Income Maintenance program rules, regulations, benefits, and methods of determining eligibility; Local, state, and federal policies; other sources of financial support including Social Security, unemployment insurance, veteran's benefits, worker's compensation, and disability insurance/pension programs; basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illness and human behavior; community resources such as emergency housing, food, Social Services, and diversionary assistance programs; real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationships to public assistance program eligibility.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers, and agency administration; effectively explain income maintenance programs and procedures to recipients who are distraught; handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial crises; organize work, set priorities, make decisions, and work independently under stress; be objective/non-judgmental; accurately and rapidly process detailed information; establish and maintain accurate and systematic records; express ideas clearly and be able to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions; interpret legal documents, personal and self-employment tax documents, complex rules, and manual materials and bulletins as they apply to income maintenance programs; troubleshoot and determine system problems vs. human error in regard to the computer systems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Public building. Office setting.

HOURS

Generally, Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 37.5 hours per week.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS CAN INVOLVE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

Amount Lifted:

Amount Lifted Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Amount Lifted 11 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Amount Pushed or Pulled:

Amount Pushed or Pulled Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Amount Pushed or Pulled 11 to 101+ lbs.: Not Present

Vision:

Near Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Far Vision: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Depth: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Field of Vision: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Color: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Contact With Others:

Works Alone: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Works with Others: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Works around Others: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Customer/Public Contact: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min or 88 to 172 days

Clients with Behavior Challenges: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Communications:

Talking: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Hearing: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Reading: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Basic Body Positions:

Sitting: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Standing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Walking/Moving About: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min or 29 to 86 days

Climbing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Balancing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Crouching: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Kneeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Crawling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Motor Skills:

Handling: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Grasping: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Using Fingers: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs.,18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Reaching: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Feeling: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours or 174+ days

Driving: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Exposures To:

Mechanical Equipment: Not Present

Electrical Equipment: Not Present

Pressurized Equipment: Not Present

Burning Material/Equip: Not Present

Explosive: Not Present

Radiant Energy: Not Present

Moving Equipment: Not Present

Heights: Not Present

Fumes/Odors: Not Present

Dirt/Dust: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min or 2.6 to 26 days

Gases: Not Present

See also the Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT USED

General Office Equipment: Telephones, Calculators, Printer, Copy, scan, fax machines, Computer, Dual monitors. Access to systems that can support ITV or web-based training. GPS when traveling for out-of-office training and meetings. County vehicles. Computer software and programs: Blue Zone (MAXIS, MMIS, PRISM), MNSure, METS, SIR, AS400, ISDS, Shared Master Index (SMI), Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook Express, Adobe, and the Internet.

OTHER

The starting salary for this position is $54,035 annually ($27.71/hr).

Receive anniversary step increases for earning potential of $69,186. ($35.48/hr). In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefit: We also offer no-cost/low-cost health insurance plan options. Douglas County contributes to a Health Savings Account and a (PERA) pension plan. Become vested in as little as 3 years of employment for lifetime benefits upon retirement! Douglas County is also a qualified Employer for the Public Sector Loan Forgiveness Program.

Life Insurance – as a County employee, you will be covered by $40,000 of life insurance at no expense. Supplemental coverage is available for you, your spouse, and your dependents.

The official holidays for this Douglas County position are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving (in place of Columbus Day), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Personal Holiday.

Sick Leave/Earned Safe and Sick Time: An employee shall be credited with 1 day of sick leave for each month of service, accumulative to 90 days. The first 48 hours (or up to 80 hours if any eligible time was carried over) will be counted as ESST.

Vacations: Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule:

• 0-4 years; 10 working days
• 5–9 years; 15 working days
• 10–14 years; 20 working days
• 15–19 years; 25 working days
• Over 20 years; 30 working days

Supervision Received: Supervised by Financial Assistance Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised: None

Labor Group: Union- ASFCME

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Grade: 7

EEO Job Category: Administrative Support Workers

Work Comp Code: 8810

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Revised: updated 2025;2026;7/2026;9/2026