Eligibility Worker

Salary : $56,347.20 - $74,152.00 Annually
Location : Historic County Courthouse, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00102
Department: Public Health and Human Services Department
Opening Date: 05/12/2026
Closing Date: 5/29/2026 4:30 PM Central

Description
Full-time position - 40 hours per week

2026 wage range is $27.09 - $35.65 per hour, plus benefits

(Hiring range: $27.09 - $30.02 per hour)

**INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST ALSO APPLY TO THE MINNESOTA MERIT SYSTEM**

Please see the application instructions at the bottom of this announcement.

Application deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026

Position Purpose
Reporting to and under the general supervision of the Financial Assistance Director, an Eligibility Worker determines the eligibility of applicants and on-going recipients of public assistance programs; communicates program requirements; supports program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and addressing barriers to self-sufficiency; identifies needs and makes referrals to health, social services, and employment agencies and to other community resources.

Distinguishing Characteristics
An Eligibility Worker performs a majority of the work independently and exercises individual judgment in accordance with established standard procedures. The Eligibility Worker is part of a team and works closely with the Child Support division, and other Social Services staff.
Essential Duties

Client Eligibility/Communications

• Interview applicants for initial and on-going eligibility for county, state, and federal funded programs, (SNAP, health care, childcare, cash, and burials) and gather relevant documentation
• Determine eligibility based on state and federal guidelines
  • Calculate benefit amounts
  • Prepare client budgets
• Determine eligibility for health care via MAXIS, METS and MMIS
  • Assist clients with health care applications
  • Respond to enrollment questions
  • Calculate medical mileage, meals, and lodging reimbursements
• Communicate with applicants and clients

• Inform clients of their duties based on program regulations
• Advise clients as to case status

• Respond to client complaints; inform applicants and client of their rights and appeal options

Record System Management

• Maintain contemporary knowledge of policies and procedures of state and federal assistance programs
• Work closely within the Income Maintenance unit to ensure accurate execution of state and federal rules and regulations
• Enter collected client information into county and state electronic systems, review/analyze for accuracy
• Assist in the development and implementation of Income Maintenance unit policies/procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal amended legislation
• Compose forms as tools for communicating and verifying client information
• Create reports as needed for composite caseload statistics

Other Case Management/Communications

• Collaborate with external agencies to ensure clients have access to community resources
• Refer clients to employment and training providers and other community resources
• Collaborate other Public Health and Human Services units (Social Services, Child Support, Public Health and Accounting) to provide client support
• Identify potential fraud cases and refer to the regional fraud investigator
• Prepare and present documentation for administrative hearings
• Calculate and set-up claims and collection of overpayments

Repayment Monitoring

• Compile and maintain current database using QuickBooks of addresses of persons owing money to the county for services provided and assessing fees
• Determine County of financial responsibility for clients who are receiving services in Houston County.
• Contact individuals and enter State Revenue Recapture claims after 90 days if payment on account has not been received
• Complete receipt of payments received from MA program claims to the fiscal unit to enter into the MAXIS System to track and send to the State of Minnesota
• Work with Agency team and recommend direction to take to maximize collections on each case and when to proceed with court action

This description provides the general list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position and classification. It is intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

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

-OR-

• Two 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)

-OR-

• Two years of clerical experience in a social services/human services agency

-OR-

• Two 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)

-OR-

• Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years

-AND-

• Minnesota DHS Eligibility Worker Merit qualified

Other Pre-Employment Standards/Requirements

• Pass a criminal history/background check

Preferred Criteria/Experience
N/A

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Pre-Employment

• Basic contemporary computer technology skills; ability to enter and retrieve data
• Ability and skill to establish and maintain thorough case files in compliance with state and federal laws
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and ability to process a large volume of detailed information, quickly, and accurately
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals from various cultural, occupational and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to conduct an effective interview
• Ability to understand and explain relevant laws, rules and regulations
• Knowledge of human behavior and ability to handle hostile or uncooperative persons
• Knowledge of data privacy laws
• Knowledge of federal and State income maintenance program laws, rules and regulations, benefits and methods of determining eligibility
• Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, social services and diversionary assistance programs
• Knowledge of multiple complex computer systems
• Knowledge of basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illnesses

Post-Employment

• Strong working knowledge of MAXIS, METS, MMIS, MEC2, Compass Pilot, Onbase, AVS, SOLQ
• Working knowledge of data privacy laws
• Working knowledge of federal and State income maintenance program laws, rules and regulations

Data Notice

Persons with Disabilities
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
In compliance w/ the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands and Work EnvironmentFUNCTION N/A<25% 25% - 49%50% - 74%>74% Office Environment
XSitting
XStanding, Walking
X
Simultaneous/Repetitive Hand Movements
XTyping/Data Entry
XClose Vision (Near Acuity)
XDistance Vision (Far Acuity)X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)
XHearing/Speech
XSedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force)
XLight (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)
X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) poundsX
Lifting, carrying, or pushing of objects over fifty (50) poundsX
Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching
X
NOTICE
A County employee in this position may encounter not public data as defined by Minnesota and federal law in the course of his/her work. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee shall take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work purpose to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store and secure the not public data in accordance with applicable County policies as well as Minnesota and federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County's Data Practices and Data Security Policies.

Status: Non-Exempt
Job Category: Technical/Paraprofessional
Banding: B24
Labor Group: AFSCME
Reviewed: 9.1998, 7.2019, 05.2020, 01.2026

PLEASE NOTE: APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION REQUIRES TWO APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED

1. Submit your application to the Minnesota Merit System for Eligibility Worker no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026, by going to: and clicking on job posting: Eligibility Worker - Houston County (951-OL-28).

2. Submit your online application to Houston County by 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026, by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page. Please attach a cover letter to your application file. If special accommodations are needed to complete this application for employment, please contact the Houston County Personnel Dept. at 507.725.5822.
Houston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
2025 SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
(AFSCME Union Employees of Houston County)
The following is only a summary of benefits and information contained in Houston County's Personnel Policy or Collective Bargaining Agreements. Specific provisions relating to collective bargaining agreements or special rules established for particular departments are not covered here.
Vacation
Full-time employees earn paid vacation in accordance with the following schedule, which is based on years of continuous service:
Years Employed Hours Earned
0 - 1 3.08 hr./pay period, = 10 days per year
2 - 5 3.70 hr./pay period, = 12 "
6 - 10 4.31 hr./pay period, = 14 "
11 - 15 4.93 hr./pay period, = 16 "
16 - 20 5.54 hr./pay period, = 18 "
21 - 25 6.16 hr./pay period, = 20 "
26 6.76 hr./pay period, = 22 "
Part-time employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week earn pro rata vacation benefits.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn 3.70 hours of paid sick leave for each payroll period, which equals approximately 12 days per year.
Part-time employees who work 20 or more hours per week earn pro rata sick leave.

HOLIDAYS
Thirteen days during the work year are considered paid holidays for full-time employees. These holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Spring Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. In the event that a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is considered a paid holiday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, then the holiday will be observed on Monday.
Part-time employees, who work 20 or more hours a week, earn pro rata holiday pay.

Insurance
Houston County currently offers eligible employees a high deductible health plan with an employer funded HSA/VEBA option. 2025 employee premiums are $54.52 per month for single coverage and $426.12 per month for family coverage. Medica is our insurance provider.

The County also has a term life insurance program for employees, which provides a $10,000 death benefit at no cost for full-time workers. For a minimal amount, dependent coverage is also available; $5,000 on spouses; and $2,500 on minor children.

PLEASE NOTE: Part-time employees who work 20 or more hours a week may elect to enroll in the insurance benefits with the County, paying a pro-rated portion of the monthly premium cost for the elected coverage.

The effective date for insurance coverage will be the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. For example, if a new employee starts on the 10th of November, the effective date for insurance coverage will be January 1st.

PENSION
All employees earning over $5,100.00 annually, are automatically enrolled in PERA (Pu...