Eligibility Specialist II - TANF

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

8d•$23 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist II determines initial and continued eligibility for public assistance programs. This vacancy is in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Unit, with a strong focus on TANF policy. The position may also perform quality control work by reviewing eligibility decisions made by others. Work takes place in a fast-paced environment with high standards for customer service and program accuracy. The specialist gathers sensitive personal information to make timely, accurate eligibility determinations and interacts with people from varied backgrounds and emotional circumstances, requiring strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills. The position is based in Augusta and allows partial telework with management approval. The role is with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, which administers eligibility determinations for programs including MaineCare, TANF, Food Supplement, Fraud and Recovery, and Child Support.

Requirements

Four-year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience in a social services setting demonstrating interviewing and data-gathering skills needed to form the basis for judgments in eligibility determinations, claims resolutions, and/or customer service requests; OR a bachelor's degree in Social Services, Business Administration, or another related field.
Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.

Responsibilities

Interview clients and obtain and assess facts, data, supporting information, and documentation for applications or recertifications for public assistance.
Evaluate information and apply allowable standards and criteria.
Explain program eligibility requirements, rules, regulations, and individual rights and responsibilities to clients and their representatives.
Review and analyze information for accuracy, identify inconsistencies, request necessary documentation, and verify and validate data.
Answer inquiries and refer clients to various programs.
Enter data accurately into an automated system and ensure accurate eligibility results.
Communicate verbally and in writing with clients, co-workers, and other agencies.
Perform intermediate mathematical calculations.
Maintain confidentiality of applicant and recipient information.
May perform quality control work by reviewing eligibility decisions made by others.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
12 days of sick leave per year.
State payment of 85%-95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for eligible participation.
State payment of 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward MainePERS retirement.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness through the State as a qualified employer.
Employee assistance program through the Living Resources Program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.