Support Staff (Public Benefits Specialist, Entry)

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ODHS Employee Resource Group

Cost of Living Adjustments

Annual salary increases

Comprehensive benefits package

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (elig)

Job summary

The State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, is seeking an entry Public Benefits Support Staff to provide friendly front-desk customer service and handle essential administrative tasks in a Hillsboro, OR office.

You will assist clients with eligibility information, maintain records, and coordinate communications to ensure timely service delivery while adhering to agency policies and equity principles.

Qualifications

• Two years experience in a reception area or call center with high-volume data entry and information collection.
• Associate degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science or related field with six months front-desk or customer service experience; OR
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact with professional, inclusive customer service.
• Manage administrative operations: phone, email, mail, records, data entry, and meeting coordination.
• Explain benefits and procedures, maintain accurate case documentation and eligibility information.
• Apply agency policies to make informed decisions and ensure timely processing of client services.

Skills

Front desk operations

Data entry

Customer service

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Behavioral or Social Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Email systems

Digital databases

Job description

Position Title

Support Staff (Public Benefits Specialist, Entry)

Initial Posting Date

10/21/2026

Application Deadline

10/28/2026

Agency

Department of Human Services

Salary Range

$3,798 - $4,954

Position Type

Employee

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. Opportunity awaits! Would you like a career that is both rewarding and provides an opportunity for career growth? If you have experience with providing customer service in a fast-paced environment to obtain information for needed services, then this may be the position for you!

Summary Of Duties

As a Support Staff, you will:

• Be this first face of contact in the office by delivering professional, respectful, and culturally responsive customer service while fostering an inclusive, equitable, and discrimination-free environment for clients, coworkers, and community partners.
• Manage administrative operations including phone and email communications, mail processing, electronic records management, task tracking, meeting coordination, and data entry in agency systems.
• Provide eligibility support by explaining benefits, notices, program requirements, application procedures, and available community resources, while maintaining accurate case documentation.
• Apply agency policies, procedures, and regulations to make informed decisions, maintain case records, and ensure accurate and timely processing of client services.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Essential Attributes

• Experience with managing high-volume, fast-paced front desk operations.
• Experience conducting work that requires attention to detail, particularly with data entry and reviewing documents.
• Experience providing customer service to diverse and vulnerable communities that are person centered and trauma informed.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, digital databases, answering phones and data entry.
• Experience adapting communication style to explain complex information such as rules or procedures verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.

Attention all candidates!

A cover letter is required.

Working Conditions

• You will work in a fast paced high-volume office environment.
• Our office is constructed of cubicles, so work is often interrupted, and noise level is sometimes high.
• Your work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm in our Hillsboro, OR office.
• Occasionally, compensated overtime may be required or voluntary, including evenings.
• You will communicate with Oregon residents frequently over the phone and in-person.
• May require sitting at a terminal 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

• 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.
• Driver Record Screening: As part of the pre-employment background check, applicants may be asked to complete a driving record review. A driving record that does not meet agency standards will not, by itself, disqualify an applicant from employment when driving is not an essential function of the position.

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.

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

• The recruiter for this position is Tammie Moore. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-208657.
• Email: [e-mail]
• Phone (call or text): 971-201-0580