Eligibility Specialist I- Food & Nutrition Services

County of Mecklenburg, NC • Charlotte, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. The Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources strives to strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope. Our vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. Under direct supervision, this position performs customer service activities and determines initial and ongoing eligibility for the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. The FNS program administered by the Department of Community Resources, provides federal assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase food, improve nutrition and alleviate hunger. Benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for eligible food purchases.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of experience in customer service with direct interaction with members of the public or successful completion of the CPCC Caseworker Training Program (or another participating program).
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
• Familiar with social service programs
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate
• Service Orientation; actively looking for ways to help people
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do
• Talking to others to convey information effectively
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Continuous Learning / Applied Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application
• Contributing to Team Success / Collaboration: Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals; working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
• Energy / Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance
• Ethical Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions, using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
• Managing Work: Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently
• Motivation Fit: The extent to which activities and responsibilities available in the job and the organization’s mode of operation and values provide personal satisfaction
• Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Associates degree preferred
• Experience processing insurance claims, mortgage/loan processing, working with specialized computer programs and working in a call center preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) proficiency oral and written

Responsibilities

• Assist call center or walk-in contacts, interview customers, gather information, and input data into appropriate systems
• Verify customer’s information through paper documentation, on-line search and phone calls and determines program eligibility
• Process applications for single program basic benefits
• Respond to client and public inquiries regarding services available, documentation requirements, other community resource options, and on-going program and benefit status and customer record changes
• Perform data entry and maintains system files and databases on clients, providers, and program services
• Maintain basic knowledge of multiple social services programs or in-depth knowledge in one program
• Perform work in a high volume, fast-paced environment with continual customer interaction
• Some positions may be required to directly work on enrollment and eligibility activities within the NC FAST system
• May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees