Address
Form of work
SalaryInitial Posting Date:
03/05/2024 Application Deadline:
03/20/2024 Agency:
Department of Human Services Salary Range:
3,477.00 - 5,232.00 Position Type:
Employee Position Title:
Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3) Bilingual Encouraged Job Description:
We want you to join our Eastern Oregon Virtual Eligibility Team! We are seeking a Virtual Benefit & Eligibility Worker to join our La Grande Self Sufficiency team.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the
Equity North Star
as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to apply. Are you looking for a career that allows you to work from home part of the time or would an alternative work schedule fit your lifestyle? Do you want the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of Oregonians in need of resources to achieve wellbeing? If you want a career that makes a difference in the lives of more than 1 million Oregonians, we invite you to apply today!
Bilingual Encouraged
While this position does not require bilingual language skills, there is a need in the communities that we serve, and all are encouraged to apply.
- This position is in our Virtual Eligibility Center (VEC) and responds to a high volume of calls assisting Oregonians. This VEC is in rural Eastern Oregon, in La Grande. La Grande is 259 miles from Portland and 171 miles from Boise, Idaho. La Grande is along I-84 and has a mountain pass in either direction.
- The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 10am – 7pm PST, after training has been completed. (During training the work schedule is 8 am – 5 pm.)
- VEC staff live in the La Grande vicinity, so they can meet the requirement of coming into the office.
- The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship.
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), A place to belong and make a difference!
- When you join theODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.
- Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS’ overall mission and vision.
- 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. TheEquity North Starhas four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.
- We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, andcompetitive benefits packagesincluding health, dental, vision and much more!
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.)
Please clearly describe how you meet the qualifications above in your application materials. We welcome you to submit a complete (long version) resume with all education, relevant work experience and volunteer work.
We are unable to accept additional information after the posting deadline.
Essential attributes
We are looking for candidates with:
- Experience working in a social/Human Services setting interviewing customers/clients by phone, obtaining pertinent information to help determine eligibility.
- Experience using basic mathematics in a work environment and with a high level of accuracy. Eligibility workers will review paystubs to calculate income and/or may calculate allowable expenses.
- Experience working objectively and in a supportive way with people under emotional and financial stress and from a variety of cultures.
- Experience creating and maintaining written documentation of the activities concerning individual client cases.
- Demonstrated customer service skills preferably in a high-volume and high production call center setting.
- Experience interpreting and applying Federal & State rules, regulations, policies, and procedures preferably for government assistance programs. Experience explaining the technical guidelines, rules, policies, etc., to a non-technical audience.
- Experience working independently and in a team environment.
Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet these attributes within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.
Your duties at a glance
As an employee working in the
Self-Sufficiency Program
(SSP), you will have an opportunity to provide resources and services to help people move out of poverty and toward whole well-being. Programs include food benefits, cash assistance, childcare assistance, services for domestic violence survivors, resources for refugees and support for youth experiencing homelessness. As a VEC Benefit & Eligibility Worker, you will:
- Perform eligibility determinations, redeterminations, periodic reviews, and updates to changes for ODHS, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs.
- 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.
- You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources, findings of home visit, and conclusions.
- Be responsible for accurate and timely eligibility determinations across the state to ensure recipients meet program requirements for all OEP programs.
- Communicate eligibility decisions to applicants and send all required notifications within the appropriate time frame.
- Explain applicant rights and responsibilities during the initial application interview and when benefits are changed and renewed.
- Make appropriate referrals to other ODHS programs and resources, as well as provide other community resource options and referrals.
- Communicate and collaborate frequently and effectively with colleagues.
- Attend trainings and meetings as applicable.
- Handle and protect sensitive and confidential information as well as Oregonian and agency data appropriately.
Working conditions
- May requires sitting at a terminal and 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.
Application instructions & requirements
Your work history profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.
- Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
- Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account. Ensure that your Workday is updated and includes your work and education history.
- If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view thisapplication instructional video.
- After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.
Additional requirements
- Finalists 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.
- The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
- May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.
Helpful information
- This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
- This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
- Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out ourOregon job opportunitiespage.
- If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Yvette Sather-Medford via emailyvette.c.medford@odhs.oregon.gov. Please be sure to include the job requisition number.
Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!
