Classification Summary

Polk County Social Service Center has a full time (40 hours per week) Eligibility Worker open for application. This position will be located in the Crookston office. Starting wage is $24.24 per hour. Polk County offers a highly competitive benefits package including affordable healthcare plan.

Examples of Duties

• Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
• Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
• Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
• Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
• Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self-sufficiency.
• Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.
• Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
• Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
• Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
• Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
• Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance.
• Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights.
• Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
• Assists law enforcement and the county attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution and provides testimony in court.
• Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate.
• Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
• Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.
• Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of clerical experience and/or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years.

• Two (2) years of clerical experience in a social services/human services agency.

• Two (2) years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits).

• Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program).

• Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public.

Examination Process

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
In order to be considered for this job, you must take and pass an examination, which is offered online. The examination consists of seven (7) sub-sections measuring arithmetic, eligibility determination and reading comprehension. You will need a calculator and scratch paper in order to complete this exam.
After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent an invite e mail with a unique link to access the examination sections. Set aside enough time to take this examination in it's entirety (in one sitting). It is a TIMED exam and will allow one hour and thirty minutes to take the exam; a timer will appear in the upper right hand corner of your screen showing you how much time remains as you go through the exam. If you get out of a section before completing it - it will score the unanswered questions as "0s" zeros and you will not be given credit. Please take the exam in it's entirety in one sitting as required.
TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY:
1. Apply to posting 951-Online (5) - Eligibility Worker - Online Exam (5) by 4:30 p.m., May 1, 2024. Take the online examination emailed to you by midnight on May 6th, 2024
AND
2. Please also submit a letter of interest and resume to Polk County Social Services, 612 N Broadway, Room 302, Crookston, MN 56716, attention LeAnn Holte, or email leann.holte@co.polk.mn.us. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2024. You must complete the exam within (3) three days of the closing date, or by no later than midnight, May 6, 2024. Please contact LeAnn Holte at 218-399-8522 with questions. Deadline to apply is May 1st 2024 You must complete the online exam within (3) three days of the closing date, or no later than midnight, May 6th, 2024