Eligibility Worker

Rice County; Faribault (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice County is seeking an Eligibility Worker to assist residents in obtaining public assistance across federal/state programs, communicating policies clearly and respectfully, and applying current rules to determine eligibility.

In this full-time on-site role in Faribault, you will maintain case records in METS/MAXIS, respond to inquiries, participate in trainings, and support families with cash, food, healthcare, and childcare programs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with clerical/public‑facing experience, or related coursework.
• Experience with METS/MAXIS and childcare systems is preferred.
• Strong interviewing skills and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of human behavior and ability to communicate policies clearly.

Responsibilities

• Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Maintain case records in METS/MAXIS and related systems.
• Respond to inquiries about case status within guidelines.
• Attend trainings and meetings to stay current with policy changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing skills

Bilingual Somali

Bilingual Spanish

Understanding human behavior

Public interaction experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker diploma program

Tools

METS/MAXIS

Childcare software

Job description

The Eligibility Worker assists Rice County residents in obtaining or maintaining accessibility to multiple complex public assistance resources and programs available to meet their economic and social service needs according to federal, state and county program policies; as first line of defense to poverty while being good stewards of taxpayer money. This position communicates public assistance program purposes, requirements and applies policies to individuals in a clear, polite, professional and culturally sensitive manner. This position must determine client eligibility for multiple federal and state cash assistance, food support, healthcare, emergency assistance, county burials and childcare assistance programs. This position must make determination or redetermination of benefit amounts accurately and timely while staying current on all federal and state legislative changes and apply them to program policy.

• Determine initial and ongoing financial assistance eligibility in particular program areas by scheduling interview appointments with applicants, completing applications and verifying financial status.
• Maintain case records with case notes, updating METS/MAXIS/Childcare computer system, recording changes within guidelines.
• Respond to inquiries by other providers regarding case status within established guidelines.
• Attend staff meetings, seminars, training and workshops to obtain information as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The job requires a high school diploma and three years of clerical experience, or experience working with the public, OR a high school diploma and two years clerical experience in a social services/human services agency, OR two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits) and one year of clerical experience, OR successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program). Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience as an Eligibility Worker. Experience with METS/MAXIS, and specialized childcare computer systems. Experience in position requiring usage of interviewing skills. Experience in position dealing with the public requiring knowledge of human behavior. Bi-lingual in Somali or Spanish language.

HIRING RANGE / UNION:

$27.67 - $28.91 per hour / SS Unit – Grade 8

HOURS:

Normal business hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Full-time hours equal 40 hours per week.