Eligibility Specialist II - TANF

State of Maine•Augusta, GA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office for Family Independence, is hiring an Eligibility Specialist II for its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Unit. The role determines initial and continued eligibility for public assistance programs, with a strong focus on TANF policy. It may also involve quality-control reviews of eligibility decisions made by others. The work takes place in a fast-paced environment with high standards for customer service and program accuracy, and involves collecting sensitive personal information to make timely, accurate eligibility decisions. Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills are important when working with people from varied backgrounds and in different emotional states. The position is based in Augusta and allows partial telework with management approval. The State of Maine offers a total compensation package that includes paid leave, health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, wellness-related benefits, flexible spending accounts, and paid parental leave. Benefits may vary by collective bargaining agreement and are prorated for less than full-time work.

Requirements

A four-year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience in a social services setting demonstrating interviewing and data-gathering skills needed to support 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.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while meeting customer-service and program-accuracy standards.

Responsibilities

Interview clients and obtain and assess facts, data, supporting information, and documentation for public-assistance applications and recertifications.
Evaluate information and apply allowable standards and eligibility criteria.
Explain eligibility requirements, rules, regulations, and clients’ rights and responsibilities to clients and representatives.
Review and analyze information for accuracy, identify inconsistencies, request documentation, and verify and validate data.
Answer inquiries and refer clients to programs.
Enter data into an automated system accurately 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 conduct quality-control reviews of eligibility decisions made by others.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave, with accrual increasing with service; overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
12 days of sick leave per year.
State contribution of 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; health insurance premium credit may reduce employee-only premiums by 5% when participation requirements are met.
State-paid employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State retirement contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay to MainePERS.
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’s qualified-employer status.
Employee assistance program (Living Resources Program).
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits.