Public Benefits Specialist – Entry | Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Note: Effective Feb. 1, 2026, the compensation plan for this position will be increased to reflect a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. The salary listed in this posting does not reflect the COLA. 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. Bilingual Preferred – English & Spanish 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 interested in using your bilingual language skills, upon passing the test, you will receive 5% bilingual differential pay. Opportunity awaits! Step into a role where your efforts directly empower Oregonians to rise above poverty—become a key player in the Oregon Eligibility Partnership and facilitate access to vital services that foster equity and well-being. As a Public Benefits Specialist – Entry, you will work in our Portland office on N Lombard assisting Oregonians in-person .

Requirements

Two years of experience working in a reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service. This experience must have involved a high volume of work (e.g., data entry, assuring information on applications is complete and accurate, completing necessary documents, etc.); OR
An associate degree in a Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field AND six months of experience working in a busy reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service; OR
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the class concept.
Extensive experience providing front-line customer service in a high-volume, fast-paced reception or front desk environment, serving a diverse clientele.
Skilled in handling, collecting, and safeguarding confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of integrity and discretion.
Proven ability to adapt communication styles to effectively convey complex rules, regulations, and procedures to diverse audiences, while demonstrating strong active listening skills.
Proficient in navigating various digital platforms, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, and online search tools.
Experienced in accurately entering and verifying detailed data with a strong focus on precision and quality control.
Demonstrated expertise in supporting customers facing financial or emotional hardship with professionalism, empathy, and compassion.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to candidates that are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

Be the first face of contact in most field offices for Oregonians and provide a welcoming environment for families to interact with the department.
Support the infrastructure of the office by supporting the day-to-day operation.
Assist Oregonians in-person, by phone or email to resolve any questions or concerns by providing support with the online Oregon Eligibility system, for ODHS, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs.
Assisting Oregonians through a trauma informed lens.
May include financial desk responsibilities.
Providing support for the business functions within the office.
Learn more about our programs, as your work providing services will be through the Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP).