Eligibility Worker (Public Benefits Specialist) | Bilingual English/Spanish preferred - not required!

State of Oregon•Estacada, OR

38d

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Opportunity awaits! Join a team dedicated to ensuring fairness, accuracy, and timely access to essential services for individuals and families in need. As an Eligibility Worker, you will play a crucial role in conducting assessments, redeterminations, periodic reviews, and updates-helping recipients maintain eligibility across all OEP programs. Your work has a direct impact on fostering equity, well-being, and stability in communities across the state. We are seeking a dedicated Eligibility Worker (Public Benefits Specialist) | Bilingual English/Spanish preferred - not required! to join our Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) team in Estacada, Oregon. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred: You do not need to be bilingual to apply or be considered for this position. If you are bilingual, we encourage you to apply! We serve diverse communities and recognize the importance of serving people in their preferred language. If you are bilingual, you will receive 5% bilingual differential pay of the employee's base pay upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency. Together, we can create lasting change! The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. OEP supports state staff who determine eligibility for people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash, and childcare benefits. It also manages the ONE Eligibility System used to process applications and deliver benefits to eligible individuals and families in Oregon. One in three people in Oregon receive benefits through the ONE Eligibility System. OEP administers the ONE Eligibility system in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). As an Eligibility Worker, you will provide:

Requirements

One year of experience working at the Human Services Specialist 1 level for the State of Oregon; OR
Two years of experience working with the public, providing assistance and interpreting and applying policies, rules, or guidelines; OR
An associate degree in a Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field AND six months of experience working with the public, providing assistance and interpreting and applying policies, rules, or guidelines; OR
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the class concept.

Nice To Haves

Experience interviewing customers/clients to elicit pertinent information and determine eligibility.
Experience cooperating within a team to find solutions and make decisions that support agency goals.
Experience working with people under emotional and/or financial stress and from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Experience completing technical and detailed work using basic mathematics and software tools while maintaining accuracy.
Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits while engaging diverse populations and individuals that face communication challenges.
Experience researching, interpreting, and applying policies and regulations in a work environment with frequently changing processes.

Responsibilities

Determine Program Eligibility:
Conduct phone or in person interviews to gather household details, income, resources, and other key information to assess their needs.
Conduct collateral interviews or review supplemental materials as needed to make eligibility determination for applicable ODHS programs.
Use relevant forms, computer systems, and tools to determine eligibility at intake, during benefit renewals, and when recipients report household changes.
Explain applicant rights and responsibilities during the initial application interview and when benefits are changed and renewed.
Process data in a timely manner to ensure delivery of benefits and services.
Provide triage, information, and referrals:
Work closely and collaboratively with Oregonians, other agencies, medical providers, and community partners to provide benefits, services and information.
In supporting Oregonians, provide person-centered services with a trauma-informed approach to identify needs.