Eligibility Specialist II

State of Maine•Lewiston, ME

8d•$23 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through the Office for Family Independence, connects Maine residents and families with programs including MaineCare, SNAP, and TANF. The Eligibility Specialist II helps applicants and recipients navigate these programs and other services while accurately determining eligibility. The work is fast-paced, collaborative, mission-driven, and focused on customer service, problem solving, and teamwork. The position is based in Lewiston and allows partial telework with management approval. The role involves evaluating information and applying program standards to make complex eligibility decisions, often across multiple programs. It also requires using technology systems to manage eligibility data and documentation, explaining requirements and decisions to the public, processing received information, connecting people with additional services, conducting outreach, and representing the Department at administrative hearings. The Department of Health and Human Services promotes health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people and provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State’s population. The Office for Family Independence administers programs including MaineCare (Medicaid), SNAP, TANF, and education and career programs. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Evaluate information and apply program standards to accurately determine complex eligibility decisions, often for multiple programs at once, including intermediate mathematical calculations.
Use multiple technology systems to enter, review, and verify eligibility-related data and documentation.
Explain program rules, requirements, and decisions to applicants and recipients in writing, by phone, and in person.
Review and process information received electronically or by mail to ensure completeness and compliance.
Connect individuals with additional programs and services that may support their health and well-being.
Conduct outreach to provide program information, accept applications, and determine eligibility.
Gather evidence, develop reports, and represent the Department at administrative hearings.
Work with people from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs, helping them navigate complex systems.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
12 days of sick leave per year.
The State pays 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; dependent coverage is also available.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation in the applicable program.
The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness as an employee of 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.
Additional wellness benefits are available through the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.