Eligibility Technician

COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:         Eligibility Technician I, II, III, IV

Department:   Employment and Training Services Department (ETSD)

Reports To:     Eligibility Supervisor/Eligibility Manager

Supervises:     None

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Pay Grade:      N3 (I) / N4 (II) / N5 (III) / N6 (IV)

Job Type:        Full-Time, Regular

AKBCU:          Yes   ICPA:  Yes

General Functions:

The Eligibility Technician is responsible for initial services/assistance application processing and ongoing case maintenance to assist participants in meeting their economic needs. This position conducts data collection to ensure proper determination analysis is in alignment with regulations, policies and procedures for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Short Term Assistance, BIA General Assistance (GA), Burial Assistance, P.L. 102-477 Employment Services, Child Care Assistance (CCA) and Tribal Heating Assistance (THA).  

Duties and Responsibilities:

Eligibility Technician, I:

• Become proficient with regulations, policies, and procedures associated with P.L. 102-477 Employment Services, Burial Assistance, Tribal Heating Assistance (THA), and partnering agency regulations, policies, and procedures as they pertain to CITC services. 
• Establish rapport and develop a positive working relationship with participants and partners.
• Screen, assess and provide referrals to meet participant’s needs. 
• Gather required documentation for income, resources, expenses, participant identification and other relevant documentation that pertains to applications for services. 
• Conduct interviews and determine participant eligibility for Employment Services, Burial Assistance, Tribal Heating Assistance, and Weatherization Services within timeframes.  
• Ensure accurate and timely communication pertaining to eligibility statuses with participants, appropriate CITC staff, and authorized community partners.
• Issue proper supportive services for eligible participants and ensure payments are issued within proper timeframes to vendors. 
• Assist with home and/or worksite visits with participants
• Maintain an active participant caseload. 
• Work as part of a cohesive team who recognize and understand their role within the larger departmental team. 
• Attend and actively participate in Department meetings and trainings.
• Maintain confidentiality according to regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.

Eligibility Technician, II 

• Consistently perform all duties of an Eligibility Technician I with a higher level of proficiency.
• Support Eligibility Technician I staff by answering questions, providing guidance, and making recommendations related to the Eligibility I position duties and responsibilities.
• Become proficient with regulations, policies, and procedures associated with Child Care Assistance (CCA), General Assistance (GA) and Short-Term Assistance. 
• Screen, assess and provide referrals to meet participant needs.
• Gather required documentation for income, resources, expenses, participant identification and other relevant documentation that pertains to applications for services. 
• Conduct interviews and determine participant eligibility for Child Care Assistance, General Assistance, and Short-Term Assistance within timeframes.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication pertaining to eligibility statuses with participants, appropriate CITC staff, and authorized community partners.
• Responsible for obtaining, tracking, and documenting all pertinent information in each participant's file utilizing the appropriate database for data entry (i.e., case notes, payments, goals, terminations, etc.).
• Correct any actions on cash assistance determinations that resulted in a payment error.

Eligibility Technician, III 

• Consistently perform all duties of an Eligibility Technician I and II with a higher level of proficiency.
• Become proficient with regulations, policies, and procedures associated Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
• Screen, assess and provide referrals to meet participant’s needs.
• Gather required documentation for income, resources, expenses, participant identification and other relevant documentation that pertains to application for assistance. 
• Conduct initial interviews and determine participant eligibility TANF program timeframes.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication pertaining to eligibility statuses with participants, appropriate CITC staff, and authorized community partners.
• Correct actions on cash assistance determinations that resulted in an error.

Eligibility Technician, IV

• Consistently perform all duties of an Eligibility, I, II and III with a higher level of proficiency.
• Responsible for developing and implementing training on regulations, policies, procedures and best practices.
• Support Eligibility Technicians I-III staff by answering questions, providing guidance, and making recommendations related to eligibility processing. 
• Assist the Eligibility Supervisor in quality assurance through conducting and recording case file audits.
• Function as acting Eligibility Supervisor in Eligibility Supervisor’s absence.

Job Specifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities. 
• Demonstrated ability to work well with Alaska Natives and American Indians and understand the social and cultural needs of the Native community. 
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply program policies, procedures, guidelines, and instructions through formal and on-the-job training.
• Demonstrated ability to apply interviewing and investigative techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from participants, regulatory agencies, or community partners. 
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures while making initial and continuing eligibility determinations within strict time frames.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team atmosphere. 

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Eligibility Technician, I

• High-school diploma or GED.
• Minimum one (1) year related work experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities related to this position.

Eligibility Technician, II

• Associate’s degree majoring in Business, Accounting or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. 
• Minimum of two (2) years related work experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities related to this position.

Eligibility Technician, III

• Associate’s degree majoring in Business, Accounting or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. 
• Minimum of three (3) years related work experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities related to this position.
• Eligibility Technician, IV
• Bachelor’s degree majoring in Business, Accounting or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. 
• Minimum of four (4) years related work experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities related to this position.
• One (1) year in a lead or supervisory role. 

All Levels:

• Knowledge of Alaska Native and American Indian culture and/or community resources.
• Continued employment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory report from a state and federal background check.

Physical Requirements: 

• Primarily works in an office setting, with extended periods at a desk and on a computer.

NATIVE PREFERENCE STATEMENT: Under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (PL 93-638) and as further guided by CITC’s Native Preference Policy 6.120, CITC maintains preference in all phases of employment for Alaska Native, American Indian (AN/AI) and Native Hawaiian people, including direct lineal descendants and foster or traditionally adopted children. Also included is the non-Native head of household members for Native families, which provides foster or traditionally adopted Native children.

Disclaimer 

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work incumbents perform within this job. It is not intended to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. 

3/15/24 - A.G