Initial Posting Date:

11/24/2021

Application Deadline:

12/08/2021

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

3,080-4,649

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3)

Job Description:

WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR TEAM!

Have you always wanted to be part of a collaborative, dynamic and diverse team? If you are looking for an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of new career, making a difference in people’s lives and have a strong desire to help others, the position below may be for you. If interested, apply today!

The Office of Self Sufficiency, which is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), is looking for two (2) talented individuals to serve as Benefit and Eligibility Workers in Baker City . In this role you will explain and interview applicants and recipients to determine eligibility requirements for agency programs and resources. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

ODHS, A place to belong and make a difference!

When you join the ODHS team, you join a community of nearly 10,000 employees dedicated to serving Oregon’s most vulnerable populations.

Our Mission is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

We are committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

At ODHS you…

• Find connections through an Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); officially chartered groups organized around shared cultural identity(ies) to support historically underrepresented ODHS employees.

• Grow your career through, free leadership training, ample career pathways, and committee participation opportunities.

• Enjoy work/life balance, 10 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, remote/hybrid work options, and competitive benefits packages .

To learn more about our agency,

ABOUT THE SELF SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS:

The Self Sufficiency Offices help with food benefits (SNAP), cash for families (TANF), childcare assistance (ERDC), medical, refugee services, and domestic violence.

Self-Sufficiency Programs Mission:

To provide a safety net, family stability and a connection to careers that guide Oregonians out of poverty.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING:

• Determines initial eligibility for Medicaid, APD Financial Eligibility, TANF, Domestic Violence services, SNAP, Medical and Employment Related Day Care applicants and / customers by:

• Interview applicants in person, by phone, by email, to gather information needed to assess and determine if there is a need for services and benefits.

• Assessing client family strengths and needs, connecting families to other resources and programs in the community.

• You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources, findings of home visits, and conclusions.

• Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is conducted in offices and other program sites.

• Work can require travel, including overnight.

• Based on business need, this position may be relocated to other offices or to out stationed sites within the district.

• Limited physical exertion.

• May require sitting at a terminal or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday.

• May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.

• May interact with clients who are under emotional or financial stress.

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO QUALIFY:

• Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of clients, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the client's situation.

• Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience.

The State of Oregon requires all executive branch employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series or have an approved exception to the requirement due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief. Successful candidates for this position must submit vaccination documentation or be approved for an exception prior to their first day of employment. Failure to provide proof of full documentation or receipt of an approved exception will lead to withdrawal of the job offer. For more information, visit our policy listed here .

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Determining Eligibility: Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services.

• Team-Oriented : Ability to work well and thrive in a team environment.

• Explain Laws, Rules, & Policies: Ability to learn and articulate complex laws, rules, and policies in a customer-focused manner, to a non-technical audience.

• Managing high volume of work : Ability to complete tasks, duties, projects, and obligations with deadlines, that produce high-quality results.

• Accuracy and Attention to detail: Ensuring you have a complete understanding of the task you're working on.

• Customer Focus: Ability to professionally interact with a high volume of diverse customers communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services that exceeds the customers’ expectations. Referring Oregonians to other community resources.

• Verbal communication: The ability to engage with individuals.

• Active listening: The ability to understanding individuals’ needs and demonstrating compassion. Taking a trauma informed lens approach to all interactions.

• Written communication: Ability to communicate via email, mail, written document, reports, presentation, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Successful candidates for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your work history profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase the amazing skills and experience, that make you the best candidate for the position. You must also show that you meet the minimum qualifications described above, to be considered for an interview.

Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile.

Note: Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. View this video for help.

Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account. View this job aid for help.

If you are a veteran wishing to have veterans’ preference, your will receive a task in your workday account to provide military documents if you have not already provided them. For privacy reasons , please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.

• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact [email protected] . Please be sure to include the job requisition number.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact our ADA Office at [email protected] .