Eligibility Worker (Public Benefit Specialist) Bilingual English/Spanish Required

Oregon Department of Human Services; Bend (OR); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Resource Groups

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is seeking an Eligibility Worker to help Oregon families access medical, food, cash, and childcare benefits. You will interview applicants, apply program rules, and provide person-centered service in a North Bend office known for its community focus.

Please bring strong communication skills, compassion, and a commitment to equity as you work with diverse clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include bilingual English/Spanish.
• One year of experience at the HSS1 level or two years with the public, or an associate degree plus six months of public service experience.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable for the class concept.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants in-person and by phone to gather and assess information for benefits (SNAP, LTC, TANF, ERDC, Medicaid).
• Perform eligibility determinations, redeterminations, and periodic reviews.
• Assist customers in-person and over the phone who are applying for benefits.
• Communicate eligibility decisions to applicants.
• Provide person-centered services with a trauma-informed approach to identify needs.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive work environment and participate in professional development.

Skills

Active listening

Open-ended questions

Trauma-informed approach

Cultural responsiveness

Problem solving

Collaborative relationships

Customer service with compassion

Education

Associate degree in Behavioral/Social Science or related field

Job description

**The** **Oregon Department of Human Services** **is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.** We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.**Bilingual requirement English/ Spanish** **To qualify for this position, you must be bilingual in English & Spanish. The job offer is contingent upon passing speaking and writing tests evaluating your proficiency. Upon passing, you will receive a 5% bilingual differential pay.****Opportunity awaits!** Put your customer service and problem-solving skills to work with the Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP). As an Eligibility Worker, you’ll help individuals and families access essential medical, food, cash, and childcare benefits.You’ll interview customers, apply program rules, make eligibility decisions, and provide person-centered service to people from diverse backgrounds. Your work will make a meaningful difference while helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment. **Bring your communication skills, compassion, and commitment to helping others—and grow your career with ODHS!**We are seeking to fill this positionin our**North Bend office****. North Bend is located on the southern Oregon Coast (not in Central Oregon).****Understanding North Bend, Oregon:**The city of North Bend is located along the beautiful southern Oregon coast. North Bend is home to the towering 500-foot sand dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, historic McCullough Memorial Bridge, beautiful Horsfall Beach and plenty of quaint shops, antique stores and restaurants. Adventures of all kinds await in North Bend! * North Bend on Travel Oregon - learn what North Bend has to offer!* Find an ODHS office - understand where North Bend is located.* Mileage and driving distance calculator – calculate your commute. **Summary of Duties** Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is a program within ODHS that determines eligibility for people living in Oregon who apply for medical, food, cash and childcare benefits through the ONE eligibility system. OEP plays critical part in the eligibility process that moves beyond integration and equality, focusing on equity of services and providing timely, accurate, and necessary eligibility determinations through a person-centered approach. As an **Eligibility Worker**, you will: * Interview applicants in-person and by phone to gather and assess information for benefits we administer, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Long Term Care (LTC) services, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Employment Related Day Care (ERDC), and various Medicaid (Health insurance) programs.* Perform eligibility determinations, redeterminations, and periodic reviews.* Assist customers in-person and over the phone who are receiving or applying for benefits.* Communicate eligibility decisions to applicants.* Provide person-centered services with a trauma-informed approach to identify needs.* Be responsible for accurate and timely eligibility determinations.* Create a work environment where everyone feels welcomed, appreciated and valued.* Participate in professional development opportunities and ongoing education of cultural awareness. **Minimum Qualifications** **To qualify for this position, you must be bilingual in Spanish and English.****A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.** * One (1) year of experience working at the Human Services Specialist 1 level for the State of Oregon;**OR*** Two (2) years of experience working with the public, providing assistance and interpreting and applying policies, rules, or guidelines;**OR*** An associate degree in a Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field **AND** six (6) months of experience working with the public, providing assistance and interpreting and applying policies, rules, or guidelines;**OR*** An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the class concept.**Essential Attributes**We are looking for candidates with:* Experience actively listening to customers and asking clarifying and open-ended questions to gather complete and relevant information.* Experience accurately applying complex rules and policies to various types of cases or circumstances.* Experience using sound judgment, a trauma informed approach and cultural responsiveness to identify successful solutions to barriers or conflicts.* Experience developing collaborative relationships with colleagues and community partners that foster trust, inclusivity, and respect.* Experience providing customer service with respect and compassion to community members who have historically been marginalized, underserved, in crisis, or disadvantaged.* Experience using strong independent problem‐solving skills and seeking solutions proactively before escalating issues.**Preference will be given to candidates that are bilingual in Spanish and English.****Attention all candidates!*** A cover letter is not required; however, we encourage a cover letter if you have not clearly demonstrated your experience in your application materials with the essential attributes listed above.* Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.* Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter (optional) may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.* If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process.* **The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.*** **The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.****Working Conditions*** Your work schedule will be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.* Work is conducted **in-person at our North Bend ODHS office**.* May require sitting at a computer or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday.* You will interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may be experiencing emotional and/or financial distress.* Consistent attendance is essential.* Flexibility/adaptability is essential due to a changing environment with regular policy, program, and technical adjustments.**Background Checks and Requirements*** **A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.*** If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.* The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.**Benefits*** ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.* Cost of Living Adjustments.* Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).* Amazing benefits package.* Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.**Employment Preference**Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference:* Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.**General Information*** This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).* This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.**Contact Information**We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.* The recruiter for this position is Heather Whelan. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-207362.* Email: [e-mail]* Phone (call or text): 503-979-8682