Eligibility Specialist II – Food & Nutrition Services (Bilingual Preferred)

Catawba County Government • Hickory, NC

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About The Position

Catawba County Social Services is seeking a detail-oriented and compassionate Eligibility Specialist II for its Food & Nutrition Services team. The position determines and maintains eligibility for individuals and families seeking food assistance, ensuring benefits are calculated accurately and delivered within county, state, and federal deadlines. The role requires managing ongoing cases, communicating program requirements to clients, protecting sensitive information, and coordinating with agencies and community resources.

Applicants with at least one year of Income Maintenance experience in Medicaid or Food and Nutrition Services eligibility may be eligible for a negotiable salary if fully qualified. Applicants must have one year of Income Maintenance eligibility experience in a Department of Social Services to be fully qualified, though trainees may be accepted. Trainee pay is $44,366.96 per year. Applicants seeking more than one Eligibility Specialist position must submit a separate application for each. Bilingual extra duty pay is provided.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Human Services, Business, or a closely related field and one year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or a high school diploma or GED equivalent and three years of demonstrated experience with mathematical work and/or public contact involving interviewing, gathering, and compiling information, plus one year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker.
• Ability to multitask and exercise sound, practical judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures to a wide range of individual situations.
• Ability to clearly explain complex program requirements to clients with varying levels of understanding.
• Excellent computer, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure when working with irate or distressed individuals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships with employers, landlords, community colleges, other agencies, and the public.
• Commitment to treating all citizens with dignity and respect in every interaction.
• One year of Income Maintenance eligibility experience in a Department of Social Services is required to be fully qualified; trainees may be accepted.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants and existing clients to gather information needed to determine eligibility for Food & Nutrition Services benefits.
• Collect, verify, and analyze information from employers, landlords, financial institutions, other agencies, and state systems to certify households for benefits.
• Manage an ongoing caseload, including redeterminations, changes in income or household composition, and other case updates.
• Educate clients on budgeting, benefit calculations, and their rights and responsibilities, including reporting changes to avoid overpayment or fraud.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies, and refer suspected agency or client errors to the Program Integrity unit as needed.
• Coordinate with other departments and agencies to ensure continuity of services and respond to reported changes.
• Offer voter registration opportunities and issue Fishing License Waivers as required.
• Refer applicants and recipients to additional community resources as appropriate.
• Participate in public outreach efforts to promote awareness of the Food & Nutrition Services program.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and security of sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, employment data, and medical records.

Benefits

• Benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave, effective as of 01/01/2026.
• Bilingual extra duty pay is provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree