Financial Worker (AKA Eligibility Technician)

Aitkin County•Aitkin, MN

About The Position

The Financial Worker (also known as an Eligibility Technician) determines initial and ongoing eligibility for multiple income maintenance programs and services. The position communicates program requirements and helps participants understand how to maintain eligibility, supports their efforts toward independence and self-sufficiency, provides education and enrollment assistance to managed health care enrollees, and makes referrals to community resources. The position performs related work as assigned and works under general supervision, with discretion to organize work sequences within established procedures and policies. It has no formal supervisory authority. The employee interviews applicants and clients, verifies information, calculates benefits, maintains case records, enters and analyzes data in county and state systems, and responds to questions and complaints. The position may prepare cases and provide testimony for administrative appeals and court proceedings, assist law enforcement and the county attorney, contribute to policy and procedure development, train new staff, and serve on committees or teams. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The position requires an associate degree in a specified human services field or a closely related program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions. Experience providing public services and familiarity with DHS systems are preferred. A valid Minnesota driver’s license is required. Pre-employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be conducted. Occasional travel for household visits and training is required. The usual work environment has a moderate noise level. The job involves light physical work, including lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds. Aitkin County is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services Eligibility Worker, Human Services Generalist, or a closely related program that provides foundational knowledge of human services concepts, principles, methods, and agency practices; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions may be considered.
Strong interviewing, comprehension, mathematical, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately, verbally and in writing, and apply mathematical concepts to evaluate outcomes for accuracy and reasonableness.
Ability to analyze complex processes, interpret technical policy language, and draw logical conclusions based on Department of Human Services regulations and client circumstances.
Respect for individual privacy, lifestyles, and belief systems, and understanding of barriers to self-sufficiency.
Professionalism, including effective time management, stress management, appropriate help-seeking, and maintaining a positive attitude.
Valid Minnesota driver’s license.
Employment reference checks and a criminal background check are part of the pre-employment process.
Knowledge of county and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including those governing eligibility determinations, referrals, and household education.
Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment, and software programs, and multiple complex computer systems.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques and income maintenance program rules, benefits, and eligibility methods.
Knowledge of other financial support sources, including Social Security, reemployment insurance, veterans benefits, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance or pension programs.
Knowledge of basic foster care principles, child and adult protection criteria, and general mental and physical illness concepts.
Knowledge of community resources, including emergency housing, food, social services, and diversionary assistance programs.
Knowledge of real and personal property, estate, and ownership laws as they relate to public assistance eligibility, and knowledge of human behavior.
Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange or convey information and receive work direction from supervisors, staff, and the public.
Ability to communicate in writing and verbally with culturally diverse clients; data entry and keyboarding skills; and ability to prepare correspondence and quality work in a timely manner using varied formats.
Ability to promote teamwork and cooperation and treat others with respect, honesty, and consideration.
Ability to attend training and workshops as budget allows, share the information, and apply training to work.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, the public, coworkers, and agency administration.
Ability to explain income maintenance programs and procedures effectively to distressed recipients.
Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and clients’ personal and financial crises.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, make decisions, and work independently under stress.
Ability to remain objective and nonjudgmental; process detailed information accurately and rapidly; and maintain accurate, systematic records.
Ability to express ideas clearly, comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to interpret legal documents, complex rules, manuals, and bulletins as they apply to income maintenance programs.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Intermediate language skills, including reading and interpreting documents, writing reports and correspondence, and speaking effectively before groups.
Mathematical ability to perform arithmetic with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; calculate rates, ratios, and percentages; and draw and interpret bar graphs.
Intermediate reasoning skills, including applying common-sense understanding to written, oral, or diagram instructions and solving problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Proficiency with E-time, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MAXIS, METS, MEC2, Prism, MMIS, SIR, AVS, OnBase, Compass Pilot, the internet, and other job-related software; ability to use standard office equipment.
Occasional travel for household visits and training in and outside Aitkin County.
Ability to perform listed physical activities and lift or carry up to 25 pounds; light work requires exerting up to 25 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.
Working safely is a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing public services that support individual and family well-being, particularly during times of financial need.
Prior experience with DHS systems such as MAXIS, MEC², and MMIS.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants and clients, explain relevant policies, laws, rights, and responsibilities, and gather information for initial and ongoing eligibility assessments.
Verify client information and determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs under federal, state, and county standards.
Explain application procedures and assist individuals or groups with completing application forms.
Communicate program time limits, expectations, and requirements, and serve as a central communication point for financial, social services, child care, and employment services.
Advise clients on viable options and promote self-sufficiency.
Maintain knowledge of changes to policies and procedures resulting from legislation and system upgrades through training, bulletins, manuals, and meetings.
Inform applicants about managed health care, determine eligibility for enrollment, and resolve related questions and problems.
Enter data into county and state computer systems and analyze results for accuracy.
Redetermine eligibility and benefit amounts when client circumstances change by reviewing and verifying information, preparing budgets and documents, and calculating benefits.
Maintain complete and accurate eligibility records for assigned programs.
Provide information about new and existing cases to child support, employment services, social services, and other appropriate staff.
Advise clients about case status, eligibility requirements, and benefit factors; assess needs and refer clients to programs and community resources.
Match client eligibility information with other data files to verify income and assets, resolve discrepancies, and provide information for fraud referrals.
Respond to client complaints and explain appeal procedures and other legal rights.
Prepare county cases for appeal hearings, document county actions, and provide testimony at hearings.
Assist law enforcement and the county attorney’s office in preparing cases for prosecution and provide court testimony.
Refer clients to social services and community resources when appropriate.
Respond promptly to client, provider, and agency inquiries.
Provide input into the development and evaluation of income maintenance unit policies and procedures.
Prepare correspondence and reports as needed.
Monitor changes in rules and regulations to protect taxpayer interests.
Assist with training new staff.
Participate in committees, teams, and panels.
Treat individuals and agencies with respect, dignity, sensitivity, and tact.
Attend training and meetings as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned or apparent.