Eligibility Operations Field Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: March 11, 2025

Required documents uploaded by: March 11, 2025

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About the Position

Who can apply: External (Open to Anyone)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $21.13-$23.31
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0236340)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an opening for an Eligibility Operations Field Specialist. This position will be based at the Independence DCF Office.

Are you looking for a great team to work with? Are you a curious person who likes to learn? Do you want to do meaningful work? Do you have a passion for helping those in your community? We would love to meet and talk with you about our opportunity to assist applicants and community partners with the KanCare process.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking enthusiastic candidates to apply for the Eligibility Operation Field Specialist at the Independence DCF Office in Independence, Kansas. The successful candidate must be flexible, willing to learn, and ready to provide quality customer service. This position requires frequent travel and some overnight stays. The Eligibility Operation Field Specialist is responsible for determining Medicaid eligibility for applicants, conducting outreach to communities, and providing direct assistance to community partners such as Area Agencies on Aging, county health departments, and Managed Care Organizations. This role involves processing applications, educating the public on Medicaid (KanCare) services, and assisting walk-in clients at community events and partner locations to ensure eligible individuals and families receive necessary healthcare coverage.

Medical Assistance Program Outreach: Provides direct outreach for medical assistance programs within the assigned region through a variety of strategies. Identifies and engages community partners providing information and resources regarding medical programs using a variety of strategies. Speaks to the public to provide information, explain program and changes. Establishes positive relationships with community partners. Explains and interprets program requirements and changes for consumers and community partners. Serves as community medical assistance expert and liaison for KDHE DHCF issues. Develops and implements a community outreach plan. These include, but are not limited to, organizing and conducting outreach and educational events, participating in fairs, community events and speaking with local leaders and stakeholders regarding community health needs and barriers to medical assistance enrollment. Ensures outreach materials are located in key locations throughout community. Serves on community boards and workgroups. Collaborates with entire KDHE DHCF Eligibility Team when necessary to deliver services, including assisting at events in other regions. Activities and strategies are designed to promote medical assistance within the community and increase enrollment in these programs, understanding of program changes. Organizes and provides leadership to other community staff, including volunteers, who assist with the medical assistance application process.

Human Service: Uses active and reflective listening skills, non-judgmental attitude and understanding of human behavior, especially in terms of how poverty and other special barriers affect behavior, in order to establish a positive working relationship with customers and community partners. Creates an atmosphere where human dignity is preserved. Accommodates and is sensitive to any special circumstances the consumer may face, such as citizenship and language preference. Provides one-on-one assistance. Seeks out customers who need additional help with the application process and provides necessary assistance. Identifies other community programs which may assist ineligible consumers with medical needs. Works to remove barriers that impede program participation or processes.

Determine Eligibility for Medical Assistance Programs: Determine eligibility for all medical assistance programs (Family Medical and Elderly and Disabled). The determination is accomplished by analyzing, interpreting and applying numerous complex policies and regulations to the consumer's situation. Investigation of the customer's circumstances through the use of available computer information systems, researching records provided by customer and others provide the basis for such decisions. Utilization of fundamental accounting principles and legal terminology is necessary in analyzing, quantifying and applying policies in the customers' situation. Knowledge and effective use of information systems is essential to document eligibility decisions and provide caseload management. Collaborates and coordinates with eligibility staff located at the Health Wave Clearinghouse and in DCF Regional Offices as necessary.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Professional Development: Develops professionally by attending agency-related training as well as other workshops and conferences. Understanding of social issues impacting the community (ex-rural vs. urban, poverty) is critical to this position. Attends training as necessary to develop skills and knowledge necessary to provide effect human services. Provides effective training and communication of technical program information to organizations, staff, individuals. Attends and contributes to Outreach Specialist Team meetings on a regular basis. Attends necessary eligibility and Medicaid training. Performs special tasks as assigned by supervisor or KDHE DHCF Senior Management.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High School, GED
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • One year of experience in planning, implementing, monitoring activities, and determining eligibility in FM and/or E&D unit or other related Medicaid eligibility/customer service experience. Education may be substituted for experience as determined by the agency to be relevant.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree - Liberal Arts or Business
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Customer Service
  • Two years of experience determining Medicaid eligibility or similar income based eligibility program
  • Analytical skills
  • Ability to Apply Policy
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Outcome driven independent work skills

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Tracey Benson

Email: Tracey.N.Benson@ks.gov

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.