What are the responsibilities and job description for the Eligibility Specialist Lead position at Benton County?
EXCITING NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY!
JOIN OUR FINANCIAL UNIT TEAM!
Benton County is accepting applications for a full-time ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST LEAD position in the Financial Unit of the Human Services Department. The selected candidate will lead the Information Support Specialist (ISS) team.
The intended hiring wage for this position is $27.05 per hour.
For more information about the Benton County Human Services Department and its Financial Unit, please visit the official pages below: Visit the Benton County Human Services Financial Assistance webpage.Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person on Monday, April 28, 2026. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.
Location:
Benton County Human Services Department - Door number 5
Benton County Human Services Department - Door number 5
Application Deadline:
Monday, April 20, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
View Full Job Description and Apply: Benton County Career Opportunities
Position SummaryThis position is responsible to act as lead worker to income maintenance eligibility workers by providing training, mentoring, guidance, and assigning and reviewing work. Maintains and manages a caseload for income maintenance and healthcare programs and services.Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
A. Provides training and guidance to Eligibility Specialists and Eligibility Specialist Seniors for all Financial Assistance Programs.
B. Assigns and reviews work of Eligibility Specialists and provides work direction to assigned program area.
C. Assign work schedules and tasks.
D. Maintains Client Complaint Resolution under guidance of Unit Supervisor.
E. Interprets statutes and manual materials.
F. Train new employees and continue training for experienced employees, which include: (1) Administrative duties to the Financial Assistance Unit, (2) Customer service duties to the general public including phone calls and walk-ins, (3) Eligibility Specialist staff with multiple income maintenance programs, and (4) Eligibility Specialist staff with entering and assigning all applications for public assistance programs.
G. Assist in the development and implementation of new procedures and changes within the unit.
H. Maintain and oversee rotation of duties assigned to the phone bank.
I. Develop statistical reports regarding caseload administration.
J. Assist supervisor in employee performance evaluations.
K. Completes case reviews to ensure quality services.
L. Monitors DHS reports and ensures corrective action.
M. Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
N. Assists in appeal preparation and attends appeal hearings.
O. Coordinates coverage of caseloads during staff absences.
P. Maintains current knowledge of changing program rules and agency procedures.
Q. Identifies staff training needs.
R. Participates in hiring of staff.
S. Creates training curriculum.
T. Serves as MAXIS mentor for the unit.
Additional Functions
A. Attend trainings as needed.
B. Perform miscellaneous duties when supervisor is not available.
C. Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
A. High School Diploma or equivalent; and
B. Three years of relevant experience; and
C. Three years of experience in Human Services Financial Assistance programs or related area, and
D. Two years’ experience in a leadership capacity role; and
E. Maintain safety, data privacy and data security training; and
F. Strong skill set in multiple Financial Assistance programs including SNAP, Health Care, and others (Must be considered to have expert knowledge of Financial Assistance programs including SNAP, Health Care and at least one other core Financial Assistance program); or
G. Equivalent combination of at least 8 years education/training/experience.
H. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
I. Must successfully complete a background check.
J. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
J. 1. Ability to obtain DHS SNAP training and DHS specific training within six months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
A. Additional Four years' experience in Human Services Financial Assistance programs or related area.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A. Considerable knowledge and skill in clerical and accounting functions, Microsoft Office Suite, and computer database operation.
B. Thorough knowledge of multiple complex computer systems that Eligibility Specialists and Eligibility Specialists Senior must access.
C. Knowledge of the basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illnesses.
D. Ability to effectively explain income maintenance programs and procedures to recipients who are distraught.
E. Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial situations.
F. Ability to analyze problems and assist in establishing procedures for their resolution.
G. Ability to provide consultation and direction to income maintenance unit staff.
H. Ability to provide optimal customer service skills.
I. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral forms.
J. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills. Ability to provide department and clients information.
K. Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and policies governing income maintenance programs.
L. Considerable knowledge of interviewing techniques and skill in conducting interviews.
M. Considerable knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, unemployment insurance, veterans’ benefits, worker’s compensation, and disability insurance/pension programs.
N. Considerable knowledge of agency operations, policies, and procedures.
O. Complex computation and mathematical skills.
P. Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules, policies, and regulations.
Q. Ability to maintain frequent public contact, including with hostile or uncooperative individuals.
R. Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
S. Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements.
T. Ability to set precedent within limits and administer operating rules and procedures under management guidance.
U. Ability to apply procedures, policies, and/or precedents requiring considerable analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations.
V. Ability to travel within your daily work assignment.
W. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
X. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
Y. Performs physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
Z. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
AA. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours, as necessary.
BB. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
CC. Must comply with data practices policies and standards related to private data. Access to private data is limited strictly to what is necessary to perform assigned job duties. While accessing such data, the employee must take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related need. Once the work-related purpose has been met, private data must be properly secured and stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
A. Work is performed in the office and the community. Options for telework (when not required to be in the office or the community) may be permitted at the discretion of the Department Head.
B. Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury.
C. Work is light duty and sedentary with ability to lift, carry or push up to 10 pounds.
D. This position is exposed to mental effort and stress.
E. This position frequently performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
Hours of Work
A. Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Equipment Utilized
A. Office equipment, computer, and phones.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Salary : $56,264 - $77,168