Support Staff (Public Benefits Specialist, Entry) Preferred Not Required English/Spanish

Socket.dev; Canby (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cost of living adjustments

Annual salary increases

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Oregon Department of Human Services seeks a Public Benefits Specialist Entry to greet clients and deliver front-line customer service. You will explain benefits, assist with applications, and connect clients to community resources in a fast-paced Canby, OR office.

Qualifications include 2+ years in reception or high-volume service, and an associated degree. Spanish and English bilingual skills are preferred but not required. Equal opportunity employer with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Two years of reception or high-volume customer service experience.
• Associate degree in Behavioral Science or Social Science or closely related field.
• Equivalent education/experience may satisfy the minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact with professional, respectful customer service.
• Manage administrative tasks: phone and email communications, mail, records, data entry.
• Explain benefits and program requirements, assist with applications and resources.
• Apply policies to maintain accurate case records and timely processing.
• Connect clients with community resources and supports.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Phone support

Trauma-informed

Education

Associate degree in Behavioral Science or Social Science

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Email systems

Digital databases

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

09/21/2026

Application Deadline:

09/28/2026

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$3,798 - $4,954

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Support Staff (Public Benefits Specialist, Entry) Preferred Not Required English/Spanish

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.

Are you fluent in English andSpanish? Our diverse communities benefit from bilingual support. While not a requirement, preference will be given to candidates who possess this valuable skill.

Opportunity awaits! Are you looking to make a difference in people's lives? Do you want to learn and grow professionally while experiencing meaningful work?If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Summary of Duties

As a Public Benefits Specialist Entry, 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.
• Connects individuals and families with community resources and support services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) 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 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.

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, digital databases, answering phones and data entry.
• Experience scheduling appointments for individuals and vulnerable populations in high-volume environments using person-centered, trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to anticipate when team members need support and proactively steps in to ensure goals are met without sacrificing quality.
• Quickly assesses urgency, prioritizes accurately, and ensures immediate needs are addressed while maintaining overall workflow.
• Experience gathering and assessing information from customers to identify needs and determine appropriate services or resources.
• Experience providing front desk customer service and communicating complex information, policies, and procedures clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.

Preference will be given to candidates that are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Working Conditions

• Your work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm in our Canby, OR office.
• 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.
• Occasionally, compensated overtime may be required or voluntary, including evening and weekend work.
• 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.

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.