Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3)

Initial Posting Date: 01/26/2023 Application Deadline: 02/09/2023 Agency: Department of Human Services Salary Range: $3,265 - $4,913 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3) Job Description: WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR RURAL ENTERPRISE TEAM, located in Eastern Oregon! Do you want to be part of a diverse workforce that collaborates and learns from each other to improve services that support children, families, and communities? Do you have bilingual language skills? Bilingual differential pay is provided to positions that require to use a language other than English to fulfill their job duties within their position. This position does not require bilingual language skills, but there is a need, and we encourage all to apply. If interested, apply today! The Office of Self Sufficiency, which is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), is looking for a talented individual to serve as a Benefit and Eligibility Worker in rural Enterprise, located in Eastern Oregon. In this role you will explain and interview applicants and recipients to determine eligibility requirements for agency programs and resources over the phone. This position is in our storefront location on SW Litch Street in Enterprise, Oregon, located some 40 miles west of the Idaho border in northeastern Oregon; the successful candidate must live in the area as this is not a remote work condition. ODHS, A place to belong and make a difference! When you join the ODHS team, you join a community of nearly 10,000 employees dedicated to serving Oregon’s most vulnerable populations. Our Mission is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity. We are committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQI2SA community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice. At ODHS you… Find connections through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); officially chartered groups organized around shared cultural identity(ies) to support historically underrepresented ODHS employees. Become a RiSe Champion while making ODHS a better place to work and serve our communities. Through RiSe, we are intentional about our culture to ensure we lead with our mission, vision, and values, the Equity North Star and our commitment to being a trauma-informed organization. Grow your career through FREE leadership training, ample career pathways, and committee participation opportunities. Enjoy work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, some positions have hybrid work options, and competitive benefits packages. To learn more about our agency, click here. ABOUT THE SELF SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS: The Self Sufficiency Offices help with food benefits (SNAP), cash for families (TANF), childcare assistance (ERDC), medical, refugee services, and domestic violence services. The goal of the Self-Sufficiency Program is to help families address barriers and gain skills and access to employment opportunities to become self-sufficient. Self-Sufficiency Programs Mission: To provide a safety net, family stability and a connection to careers that guide Oregonians out of poverty. WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING: Determines initial eligibility for Medicaid, APD Financial Eligibility, TANF, Domestic Violence services, SNAP, Medical and Employment Related Day Care applicants and customers. Interview applicants by phone, or face to face, to gather information needed to assess and determine if there is a need for services and benefits. Assessing client family strengths and needs, connecting families to other resources and programs in the community. You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources. Other duties as assigned. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work can require travel, including overnight. Limited physical exertion. May require sitting at a terminal or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday. May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation. May interact with clients who are under emotional or financial stress. Teleworking may be approved after training has been completed. This is not a remote position. THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO QUALIFY: Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of clients, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the client's situation. Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience ). A photocopy of your transcripts must be attached to your application materials if using college courses to meet the minimum qualifications. Bilingual language skills are not required for this position but there is differential pay for those that possess bilingual skills. Bilingual differential pay is dependent upon passing proficiency test(s) in any language other than English. You must clearly show that you meet the minimum qualifications in your application or resume to be considered for an interview. Your application or resume will be used in determining what pay salary step you fall in with the pay equity assessment, so complete work and education history is helpful. ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES: A successful candidate will possess these technical/soft skills in addition to the minimum qualifications and should be highlighted on the resume, application or cover letter. Experience in a social/human services setting interviewing customers in person & by phone to obtain information to determine eligibility. Experience accurately using basic mathematics in a work environment. Ability to complete tasks, duties, projects, and obligations with deadlines, that produce high-quality results. Experience prioritizing a high-volume workload. Experience creating and maintaining written documentation of activities concerning individual clients. Ability to complete highly technical & detailed work. Can work objectively and in a supportive way with people experiencing emotional and/or financial stress. Experience referring Oregonians to other community resources. Experience working with a diverse population with the ability to understand their needs, demonstrating compassion, and taking a trauma informed lens to all interaction. Ability to communicate via email, mail, written document, reports, presentation, etc., as well while engaging Oregonians over the phone. Explain and articulate complex laws, rules, and policies in a customer-focused manner, to a non-technical audience. Ability to work in a team environment by cooperating within the team, make joint decisions in support of the department mission. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Successful candidates for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment. The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time. 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. HOW TO APPLY: Your work history profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase the amazing skills and experience, that make you the best candidate for the position. Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. View this video for help. Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account. View this job aid for help. Be sure to update your Workday profile and include your complete work and education experiences. If you are a veteran wishing to have veterans’ preference, your will receive a task in your workday account to provide military documents if you have not already provided them. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources. Helpful Links & Resources How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact brent.lawrence@odhsoha.oregon.gov Please be sure to include the job requisition number. If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact our ADA Office at dhs.recruitment@odhsoha.oregon.gov Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime! Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”