Eligibility Specialist

As an Eligibility Specialist, you will play a vital role in determining eligibility for public assistance programs and managing over $65 million a year in benefits issued annually. You’ll deliver high-quality, person-centered customer service while supporting essential programs that include but are not limited to Medicaid, Food Assistance, and financial programs.  
 

This position is an excellent opportunity if you are:  

• Starting a career in the Human Services field and want hands-on experience helping individuals and families. 
• Seeking a career change that allows you to support your community while using your attention to detail and critical thinking skills. 
• Working in a financial or administrative role and interested in transitioning to a more interactive, purpose-driven, and fulfilling career.  

Schedule: This position is available for schedules of 5/8 (8-hour workdays Monday-Friday) or 4/10s (10-hour workdays Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday). This position is hybrid, with remote work and in-office work assigned as needed.     

Compensation: 

Hiring Range: $24.78– $27.48 USD Hourly  

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills. 

Benefits: Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, remote work options and more.  For more information, click here for our Total Rewards summary.   

Essential Job Duties:  

• Provide excellent customer service provided to internal and external customers and community members.   

• Utilize critical thinking and meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy of data entry and final eligibility determinations.    

• Effectively conduct interviews with customers requesting public assistance, communicate face-to-face, in writing, and over the phone with customers, coworkers, and community partners.    

• Identify and assess customers' needs to provide appropriate solutions and resources.  

• Investigate customer complaints to identify root causes, take action on resolutions, and work through the best solution to the problem.  

• Ability to be flexible to the changing business needs of the agency.   

• Educate customers about available community resources and support services, enhancing their ability to access essential programs.

• Identify and report potential fraud cases to the Investigations Unit.   

• Maintain effective organization and documentation skills.  Exhibit self-motivation and the ability to work independently, while also contributing positively to team dynamics.    

• Troubleshoot systems and case issues as needed.   

• Ensure timely adherence to state and federal mandated timeliness expectations for processing customer cases and determining eligibility for public assistance programs.   

• Ability to maintain customer confidentiality and data privacy.   

• Attend training and pass all required exams to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills.  

• Performs other duties as assigned.  

*Please note, this is not a case management position.  

Qualifications:  

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Experience: One year of work-related experience is required. 

• Education: High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in determining eligibility in Medicaid and SNAP benefits utilizing the Colorado Benefits Management System

• Experience in customer service and de-escalation techniques  

• Data entry experience in complex computer databases    

• Experience in a social/human services field.

• Spanish speaking skills preferred, but not required  

Skills and qualities that lead to success in this role include:  

• A genuine passion for helping community members, with the ability to embody the mission, vision, and values of the County and Human Services.  

• Proficiency in understanding and applying county, state, and federal regulations, while accurately inputting data into complex computer databases.  

• Strong focus on accuracy and detail when utilizing complex computer systems.  

• Excellent communication skills to guide customers through the system and clarify program requirements.  

• Cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.  

• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to meeting deadlines.  

• Capability to engage in difficult conversations with customers, particularly when outcomes are not favorable.  

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with frequent changes to program rules and guidelines.  

• Strong time management and prioritization skills.   

• Attention to detail and deadlines.  

APPLICATION: 

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59PM on the posted cut-off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities 

A resume and cover letter submitted with your application are encouraged but will not substitute for the information requested on the application. Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications listed in the qualifications section of the job bulletin, and applicants are contacted directly by the hiring team if selected. To view the status of your application, please log into your candidate portal.    

For more details on the recruitment process, please visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs 

Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us