Benefits And Eligibility Specialist Senior (Eligibility Interviewer Lead)

Arizona Department of Administration•Chandler, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join their team as a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior (Eligibility Interviewer Lead) for the Maricopa 1 Customer Care Center. This position is responsible for primarily serving as a lead to Benefits and Eligibility Specialists, providing assistance, direction, monitoring, and training in the areas of fraud, overpayment interviewing and investigative techniques, including troubleshooting problem situations and assisting in diffusing difficult customer situations. The position is also responsible for performing complex eligibility work, including determining initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs and services. This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Requirements

Knowledge in: Federal, State, and agency statutes, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
Policies, procedures, and programs of the department applicable to area of assignment.
Program services used to conduct quality control reviews and automated systems and software.
Interviewing and assessment techniques and Customer service practices.
Skills in: Written and verbal communication to explain and interpret Federal and State laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to the area of assignment.
Ability to: Evaluate and make appropriate decisions (or determinations) and resolve program-related issues and provide technical assistance to staff.
Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations and access, maintain, review and interpret database information.
Lead, direct, and train other eligibility staff and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Explain program benefits, requirements, procedures, complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
Two (2) years of experience performing FAA eligibility reviews and determinations.
Driver’s License Requirements.
Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Responsibilities

Primarily serves as a mentor, lead or coach to lower-level staff.
Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights.
Interpret the meaning of information for others, translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Assists with determining initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs and assists with processing cases by verifying customer statements, completing evaluations and review sheets, setting up records and files, keeping applicants informed, advising of alternatives and maintaining records.
Ensure accuracy and timely completion.
Responsible for ensuring assignments and projects are completed to meet the daily objectives, performance measures and goals of the agency; plan workflow and control the daily working arrangements for assignments or duties assigned; consult with appropriate personnel regarding program objectives, accountability and delivery of services.
Documents data and information gathered and compare findings with established guidelines of the eligibility programs.
Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
Prepares for regional and state reviews and audits by identifying problematic areas.
Keep records of assigned cases and prepare required reports.
Provides technical support to ensure staff are in compliance with eligibility rules, policies, standards and processes to ensure the accuracy of each determination per policy and procedures for each program applied for.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period.
The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement.
You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.