Salary: $20.97 Hourly
Location : Long Prairie, MN
Job Type: Seasonal
Job Number: 387D
Department: Health and Human Services
Opening Date: 06/26/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Purpose of Position
Primary Assignment - Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
This posting will remain open until filled with first review of candidates July 10th.
Position operates with a great deal of independence and judgment in performing job specific duties; performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and office support assignments in assigned program areas, based upon previous office experience and cross-functional knowledge of agency programs, procedures and practices. The office support specialist II is a member of the administrative team which works to provide high quality and timely support to the work of the organization.
Basic Performance Expectations of all Todd County Staff

• Serves as a positive example to other County personnel with regard to workplace actions, decisions, work skills, attitude and adherence to workplace policy and procedures.
• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills, is honest, fair and dependable.
• Embodies teamwork and cooperation within and across County departments and with the public.
• Communicates effectively with the Department Head and keeps supervisor apprised of important matters ongoing in the department.
• Respect all colleagues, co-workers, board members and the public and lead those around you to do the same.
• This position requires regular and timely attendance in accordance with the department schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Position Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
• Determines eligibility and the benefit amount for the Energy Assistance Program.
• Explains application procedures to individuals and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
• Accurately performs data entry into the state computer system and retrieves information from that system.
• Responds orally and in writing to general inquiries based on knowledge of previous situations and knowledge of agency programs, policies and procedures.
• Asks questions to determine client/customer needs and direct them to the appropriate staff member.
• Provides clients/customers with information on other community resources.
• Assists clients/customers in the proper completion of program forms.
• Responds to requests for information or questions from other employees by personal contact, phone or e-mail.
• Types and edits materials using knowledge of procedures to determine the correct format, and questions the author if something is missing or incorrect.
• Composes form letters or other routine correspondence.
• Types and/or prepares special reports using knowledge of specialized software programs.
• Assembles and sends application materials, attachments and other forms based on knowledge of standard agency procedures.
• Codes, records, matches, posts, tallies, verifies and/or corrects data in order to maintain accurate records and mailing lists.
• Documents and scans information, forms, referral information in appropriate computerized software programs.
• Maintains administrative or fiscal data and assists in preparing reports.
• Maintains adequate inventory of office supplies and forms required for agency operation.
• Enters information into and retrieves information from data bases.
• Assists in the training of new office support staff.
• Attends staff meetings, workshops and trainings.
• Provide back-up to Office Support Specialist I and Office Support Specialist II as designated.

Minimum Education and Experience/Special Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and one to three years related experience in a similar position, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in office administration
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of agency programs, procedures and policies.
• Knowledge of general office practices and equipment.
• Knowledge of job-specific computer software.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic math.
• Knowledge of record keeping systems in order to maintain administrative and fiscal data and to prepare reports.
• Knowledge of legal or other technical terminology.
• Knowledge of community resources sufficient to be able to refer clients when needed.
• Knowledge of diverse immigration status to determine benefit eligibility for non-citizens.
• Ability to operate a variety of office machines / equipment.
• Ability to understand and apply oral and written instructions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize one's own work.
• Ability to use human relations skills to positively interact with and to work constructively with clients and other employees.
• Ability to do sustained typing accurately at a satisfactory rate of speed (for some positions).
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of non-public information according to laws, rules and policies.
• Ability to organize information into written documents and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial crises.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
2024 Todd County Summary of Benefits
The following is intended to be a general overview of benefits provided for full-time positions. County contributions to health insurance may differ by collective bargaining agreement, please refer to your union contract. Group Health Insurance benefits become effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Further details and a complete copy of the applicable contract/policy are available at the time an employment offer is extended. If you have questions about benefits, please contact the Administration Department at hr@co.todd.mn.us.

Health Insurance offered by Health Partners and Sourcewell
Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from. The rates shown are effective 1/1/2024. 2024 HSA Maximum Contributions: Single $4,150 /Family $8,300, Catch-up contributions $1,000.

Plan $1,600/$3,200 High Deductible - 100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $918.89 / $0.00 / $125.00
Employee Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $411.50/ $125.00
Employee Spouse $1,500.00 / $638.14 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $815.48 / $125.00
Plan $4,150/$8,300 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $789.90/ $0.00 / $165.00
Employee Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $181.78 / $125.00
Employee Spouse $1,500.00 / $338.00 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $469.39/ $125.00
Plan $8,050/$16,100 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month
Single $644.27/ $0.00 / $165.00
Employee Child(ren) $1,147.40 / $0 / $125.00
Employee Spouse $1,499.12 / $0 / $125.00
Family $1,650.00 / $78.63 / $125.00
Dental Insurance offered by Health Partners
Monthly Cost
Employee $38.05
Employee 1 $76.09
Family $114.15
Vision Insurance offered by Avesis
Monthly Cost
Employee $6.03
Employee 1 $10.53
Family $15.64

Flexible Spending Accounts offered by Select Account
Plan options include medical reimbursement and dependent day care FSAs as well as pre-tax deductions of medical and dental insurance premiums. Actual cost of pre-tax deductions is an average of 27% - 39% depending you're your bracket.

Life Insurance offered by Lincoln Financial
Term life offered at no cost for $20,000 basic life/ADD insurance coverage. Rates for voluntary additional coverage for employee or spouse vary according to age category:

Age of Employee Your Monthly Cost or Spouse per $1,000
Under age 25 $.057
25 - 29 $.057
30 - 34 $.057
35 - 39 $.095
40 - 44 $.114
45 - 49 $.162
50 - 54 $.238
55 - 59 $.428
60 - 64 $.646
65 - 69 $1.226
70 - 74 $1.976

Child Life: $1.30 per month $15,000

PERA Term Life
Voluntary supplemental decreasing term life offered by the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota that may be continued into retirement, $16.00. See for additional information.

Short Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial
Protect your income for the 1st three (3) months of disability. Rates vary by age category and you select your level of coverage from weekly benefits of $100 - $2,000 in $100 increments, not to exceed 60% of weekly gross earnings.

Long Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial
Protect your income beginning the 4th month of a disability and benefits are payable for injury, sickness or pregnancy up to your normal retirement age, as defined by Social Security. You may elect any level of coverage, in increments of $100 between $500 and $5,000 per month, provided you don't insure more than 60% of your monthly income.

Deferred Compensation
Pre-tax 457(b) and post-tax IRA programs available.

PERA Pension Plan
Public Employers Retirement Association (PERA); the following contributions are mandated by state law:

Coordinated Detention Officers Law Enforcement
County Contribution: 7.50% 8.75% 17.70%
Employee Contribution: 6.50% 5.83% 11.80%

PERA handbooks are available at

Minnesota State Retirement Systems (MSRS) Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP)
A post retirement health care savings plan is an employer sponsored program that allows employees to save money to pay medical expenses and/or health insurance premiums after termination of public service.
Group Voluntary Plans Available through Cigna
* Accident Insurance
* Critical Illness Insurance
* Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Full details available at the time of hire.

Paid Vacation
Employees earn vacation as follows:
Hours earned
Years of Service Per month
1 thru 3 8
4 thru 5 10
6 thru 10 12
11 thru l5 14
16 thru 20 17
21 thru 24 18
25 19

See applicable union labor agreement for vacation schedule, some accrue per pay period. Employees may carry over up to 192 hours of available vacation per year.

Paid Sick Leave
Employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month and may accrue up to 1040 hours (6 months) paid leave.

Paid Holidays
New Years Day
President's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
Christmas Day
New Years Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
* See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated holidays.
Funeral Leave
Paid funeral leave of absence up to 40 hours.
* See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated funeral leave.

AFFINITY PLUS Credit Union
Financial Services including competitive loan rates, VISA, Savings Clubs, bill payments, investments and other services.

Fitness Room
The Todd County Wellness Committee sponsors a fitness room available to County employees and their immediate family members.
Minnesota Benefit Association
Serving Minnesota makes you a member of the association, rewarding you with great services and savings, including: Student Scholarships, Life Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, etc. See pr 800.360.6117
Verizon Wireless Discount
As a benefit of your employment with Todd County, you may be eligible for a discount for Verizon Wireless service and equipment. go to for more information.
01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED and one to three years related experience in a similar position, or equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes
• No

02

How much experience do you have in determining eligibility and managing Energy Assistance cases?

• 3 years experience
• 2 to 3 years experience
• 1 to 2 years experience
• Under 1 year experience
• No experience

03

If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience.
04

Have you previously worked with the Energy Assistance Program in any capacity?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience.
06

How much office support experience do you have?

• 5 years experience
• 3 - 5 years experience
• 1 - 3 years experience
• Under 1 year experience
• No experience

07

If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience.
08

Do you have post-secondary education in office administration?

• Yes - Bachelor's Degree or Above
• Yes - Associate's Degree
• Yes - Technical Degree
• No post-secondary education in office administration

09

Are you Bilingual? (English/Spanish)

• Yes- Fluent
• Yes- Minimal
• No

10

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you able to perform all physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

12

If you claimed Veteran's Preference above, do you have your DD214 to include as an attachment to this application?

• Yes - Qualified Disabled Veteran (10% or higher disability rating)
• Yes - Qualified Vet or Spouse of Deceased Vet
• No

Required Question