Human Services Specialist 3 - Benefit and Eligibility Worker

Initial Posting Date: 09/26/2022 Application Deadline: 10/10/2022 Agency: Department of Human Services Salary Range: $3,265 - $4,913 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Human Services Specialist 3 - Benefit and Eligibility Worker Job Description: WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR TEAM! Position Title: Human Services Specialist 3 Initial Posting Date: September 26, 2022 Application Deadline: October 10, 2022 Salary Range: $3,265 - $4,913 Location: Salem (Oak Street) Recruitment Type: Open Competitive We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the Equity North Star as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S community members, and others to apply. Are you passionate to assist Oregonians lift themselves out of poverty and adverse living conditions? If so, then apply today! We are seeking a Benefits & Eligibility Worker to join our Salem (Oak Street) Self Sufficiency Program (SSP) team. Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), A place to belong and make a difference! When you join the ODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity. Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS’ overall mission and vision. 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. https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/dhsnews/documents/odhs-equity-north-star.pdf We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and competitive benefits packages including health, dental, vision and much more! If you have federal student loan debt or are thinking of going back to school, then you might benefit from the Student Loan Forgiveness Program. If you make 120 qualifying payments on your student loan while working full-time for a qualifying employer, your student loan debt may be forgiven. 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. Essential attributes We are looking for candidates with: Technical or soft skills required in addition to the minimum requirements and should be highlighted in your application, resume, or cover letter: Determining Eligibility: Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services. Team-Oriented: Ability to work well and thrive in a team environment Explain Laws, Rules, & Policies: Ability to learn and articulate complex laws, rules, and policies in a customer-focused manner, to a non-technical audience. Managing high volume of work: Ability to complete tasks, duties, projects, and obligations with deadlines, that produce high-quality results. Accuracy and Attention to detail: Ensuring you have a complete understanding of the task you're working on. Customer Focus: Ability to professionally interact with a high volume of diverse customers communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services that exceeds the customers’ expectations. Verbal communication: The ability to engage with individuals. Active listening: The ability to understanding individuals’ needs and demonstrating compassion. Written communication: Ability to communicate via email, mail, written document, reports, presentation. Experience writing notices, repots and narration of eligibility determinations. Experience working in interviewing customers in-person and over the phone to obtain information and determine eligibility. Experience communicating decisions, rules, policies and procedures. Experience organizing and prioritizing a high volume of work. Experience communicating effectively with people over the telephone in writing and in person. Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet these attributes within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process. Make sure to read the ‘How to Apply’ section for any other requirements. Your duties at a glance 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. TANF is a collection of programs directed at improving the lives of very low-income Oregon families with children. Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program. As a Human Services Specialist 3, you will: Determines initial eligibility for Medicaid, APD Financial Eligibility, TANF, Domestic Violence services, SNAP, Medical and Employment Related Day Care applicants and / customers by: Interview applicants in person, by phone, by email 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. You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources, findings of home visit, and conclusions. Other duties as assigned. Working conditions Work is conducted in offices and other program sites. Work can require travel, including overnight. Based on business need, this position may be relocated to other offices or to out stationed sites within the district. Limited physical exertion. May require sitting at a terminal or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday. Requires a valid driver’s license May interact with clients who are under emotional or financial stress. How to apply Your work history profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position. Please upload a resume or complete the Workday history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. A cover letter is not required for this application. However, you may attach one if you wish. This may help the manager understand better how you possess the essential attributes. Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account. If you are not a current State of Oregon employee: view this application instructional video. After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process. Additional requirements: Finalists 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. 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. Helpful information This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out our Oregon job opportunities page. If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Brent Lawrence via email brent.lawrence@dhsoha.state.or.us Please be sure to include the job requisition number.