Public Benefits Specialist - Entry
Oregon Department of Human Services
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Oregon Department of Human Services in Baker City is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist - Entry to assist Oregonians in person and online through the Oregon Eligibility Partnership. You’ll be the first contact in field offices, helping families access essential services with empathy and accuracy.
The role emphasizes front-line customer service in a high-volume setting, data integrity, and trauma-informed communication.
Qualifications
- Two years of experience in a reception area or call center with high-volume data entry and verification of information.
- An associate degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science or related field plus six months in a busy reception or call center.
- Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Responsibilities
- Be the first face of contact in most field offices for Oregonians and provide a welcoming environment for families to interact with the department.
- Support the infrastructure of the office by supporting day-to-day operations.
- Assist Oregonians with the online Oregon Eligibility system for ODHS, OHA, and DELC programs in person, by phone or email to resolve questions or concerns.
- Assist Oregonians through a trauma informed lens.
- Provide support for the business functions within the office.
- May be assigned financial duties including tracking, issuing, and accounting for all financial actions.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
10/15/2026
10/29/2026
Department of Human Services
$3,798 - $4,954
Employee
Public Benefits Specialist - Entry
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.
Opportunity awaits! Step into a role where your efforts directly empower Oregonians to rise above poverty—become a key player in the Oregon Eligibility Partnership and facilitate access to vital services that foster equity and well-being.
As a Public Benefits Specialist - Entry, you will work in our Baker City office assisting Oregonians in-person. Baker City is in rural Eastern Oregon.
As a Public Benefits Specialist -Entry, you will:
- Be the first face of contact in most field offices for Oregonians and provide a welcoming environment for families to interact with the department.
- Support the infrastructure of the office by supporting the day-to-day operation.
- Assist Oregonians by providing support with the online Oregon Eligibility system, for ODHS, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs in person, by phone or email to resolve any questions or concerns.
- Assist Oregonians through a trauma informed lens.
- Provide support for the business functions within the office.
- May be assigned financial duties that include tracking, issuing, and accounting for all financial actions and requirements needed.
Learn more about our programs, as your work providing services will be through the Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP).
- Two years of experience working in a reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service. This experience must have involved a high volume of work (e.g., data entry, assuring information on applications is complete and accurate, completing necessary documents, etc.); OR
- An associate degree in a Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field AND six months of experience working in a busy reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service; OR
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the class concept.
- Experience providing front-line customer service in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, supporting a wide range of clients.
- Experience in handling, collecting, and safeguarding confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience adapting communication styles to effectively convey complex rules, regulations, and procedures to varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Experience navigating various digital platforms, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, and online search tools.
- Experience accurately entering and verifying detailed data.
- Experience in supporting customers facing financial or emotional hardship with professionalism, empathy, and compassion.
- This position is based in the Baker City office but may provide coverage occasionally within the district.
- Work schedule is a tradition work week, Monday-Friday.
- Experience constant contact with the public, including contact with and possibly de-escalating customers experiencing emotional and financial stress.
- Experience high volume of computer work, using various computer programs in a fast-paced team environment.
- Priorities and procedures may change daily and requires the ability to be flexible in application of procedures.
- This position works in the store front office.
- 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.
- May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.
- 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.
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.
- This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
- The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.
- This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.
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 Yvette Medford. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.
- Email: Yvette.C.Medford@odhs.oregon.gov
- Phone (call or text): 541-709-0306
Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!
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