Benefits Change Specialist (Imw2)

Salary : $45,385.60 - $66,393.60 Annually
Location : Council Bluffs - 51503 - Pottawattamie County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-00971
Agency: 402 Health & Human Services - Community Services Area
Division: DHS - Centralized Service Area
Opening Date: 09/14/2023
Closing Date: 10/1/2023 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact: csilber@dhs.state.ia.us
Job Description
Overview:
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS, Division of Community Access, Income Maintenance Customer Service Center, is seeking a Benefits Change Specialist to assist individuals in reporting changes and determining eligibility for SNAP, FIP, and Medicaid programs.
Summary:
This is a full-time opportunity, Monday - Friday with hours being 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM with overtime as needed. This position currently has the option to work from their home but is assigned to a Council Bluffs office. Any in-office requirements would involve travel to Council Bluffs without being eligible for reimbursement.
The starting salary is $21.82/hr. Individuals new to State of Iowa employment are eligible for a raise after completing their first 6 months.
Core Essential Functions:

• This position works in a "call center environment" (requires the ability to work at a computer for up to 7.5 hours/day taking inbound calls. Hours while training are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Customer Service Duties: Primarily responsible for processing changes related to eligibility for the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Title XIX Medicaid programs administered by the Department of Human Services.
• Interpret and apply complex policies and procedures per state and federal regulations.
• Effectively interview customers to obtain necessary information.
• Collect and analyze information from customers and 3rd parties to calculate and determine eligibility accurately.
• Communicate effectively via phone, email and in person as needed.
• Meet daily and monthly processing timeframes.
• Prepare written documents and have the ability to clearly present, both in writing and orally.
• Effectively manage an individual workload while working within a team.
• Maintain reliable attendance.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills.
• Comply with all State of Iowa regulations and HHS Employee Handbook work rules.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent case plan development and critical thinking.
• Strong communication and customer service.
• Professional presence and strong work ethic.
• Solid teamwork and consultation.
• Preference will be given to candidates who can speak, read and write in Spanish and English

How to Apply:
For help creating a profile or entering your information, please go to the online Employment Application Guide. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
We have a great total compensation package for all our full-time employees, including:

• Eligibility for first raise after 6 months of employment (for new State employees)
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits Our outlines the amazing benefits for this position.
The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer
HHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages foster youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS (HHS) system to apply. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are also encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired - Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Sixty semester hours (or equivalent academic units) from an accredited college or university;
OR
a combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time public contact work experience obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data for each year of the required college education (on the basis that thirty semester hours is equal to one year of work experience);
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area.
For additional information, please click on this .
Join Us!
Whether it's caring for those in need, making highways safer, or improving agriculture production, the work that we do matters to the people of Iowa.
We take our responsibilities and the public trust very seriously. We are committed to delivering the services that matter most to the people of Iowa. If you have the skills, the commitment and the desire to make a difference, then we invite you to explore the career opportunities available with the State of Iowa.
Career Choices
State government is one of the largest employers in Iowa, and also one of the most diverse. From state trooper to nurse to engineer, the state offers a wide variety of career opportunities.
Benefits
The state offers paid vacation, sick time and holidays, a defined benefit retirement plan, health, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance along with flexible spending accounts. For more information, please visit the executive branch employee benefits
The State of Iowa is committed to providing an outstanding employment experience. Check out this
01
Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03
Do you have sixty semester hours (or equivalent academic units) from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years do you have of a combination of post high school education AND/OR full-time public contact work experience obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data for each year of the required college education? Thirty semester hours is equal to one year of work experience.

• I do not have any of the education or experience
• Less than two years of the combined education and/or experience
• Two years or more of the combined education and/or experience

05
Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many months do you have of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area for the State of Iowa?

• I am not a State of Iowa employee
• Less than 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area for the State of Iowa
• More than 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area for the State of Iowa

06
\Which best describes your education and experience? (if multiple responses apply for you, please choose the one that has the higher points)

• Bachelor's Degree (or higher) or 4 plus years work experience with a major/emphasis in a Human Services related field (ie: Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, Human Resources, Communications, Criminal Justice, Paralegal
• Associate's Degree or 2 plus years work experience with a major/emphasis in a Human Services related field (ie: Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, Human Resources, Communications, Criminal Justice, Paralegal
• Not Applicable

07
How many years of full-time work experience do you have communicating with internal and external clients and customers in a call center environment to meet their needs?

• Five or more years
• Four to less than five years
• Three to less than four years
• Two to less than three years
• One to less than two years
• Less than one year

08
How many years of full-time work experience do you have in determining eligibility, need and benefits (or similar experience) for a client?

• Five or more years
• Four to less than five years
• Three to less than four years
• Two to less than three years
• One to less than two years
• Less than one year

09
How many years of full-time work experience do you have utilizing independent judgement to make correct decisions based on information received?

• Five or more years
• . Four to less than five years
• Three to less than four years
• Two to less than three years
• One to less than two years
• Less than one year

10
How many years of full-time work experience do you have interpreting information received and determining whether it meets criteria found in various policies or regulations?

• Five or more years
• Four to less than five years
• Three to less than four years
• Two to less than three years
• One to less than two years
• Less than one year

11
How many years of full-time work experience do you have utilizing computer systems to document information while simultaneously obtaining it from the caller?

• Five or more years
• Four to less than five years
• Three to less than four years
• Two to less than three years
• One to less than two years
• Less than one year

12
Please review the sample "essential functions" below:• Applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable. • Carries out customer service activities requiring regular attendance at work and to report to work on time. Field Operations processes contain critical time frames and excessive absenteeism negatively impacts the meeting of those time frames subsequently affecting customers and other community partners.• Comprehend, interpret and apply work rules, policy, regulations and procedures as well as concepts and principals of the specific work duties in order to meet performance standards. • Effectively communicate orally by expressing ideas and facts to individuals or groups; makes clear and convincing presentations (free of grammatical and factual errors) both orally and in writing; listens to others; facilitates an open exchange of ideas; build, foster and maintain partnerships at a variety of levels. Actively listens to facilitate the exchange of information in order to provide positive and professional customer service both within the agency and in the community. • Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information by prioritizing, organizing and maintains information to meet completion deadlines. • Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain reasonable facts, data, or other information that analyzes information and correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.• Interacts in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitates and encourages cooperation pride, trust and group identity, fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.• Obtain information from a wide variety of sources, including written materials, telephone conversations and through computer databases and to be able to read and interpret the data. Ability and knowledge of Word, Excel, and the Internet.• Obtains information from

• Yes
• No

Required Question