What are the responsibilities and job description for the Account Spec. (Eligibility Worker)- Winona County position at Minnesota Merit System?
Winona County Human Services (Winona, MN) will be hiring an Account Specialist (Merit System title is Eligibility Worker).
For instructions on how to apply, see Examination Process below (There is a two-part application process)
This position performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs including food support and grant determinations; may assist child support officers in carrying out routine assignments associated with support or collections work; and performs related work as assigned.
• 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.Three (3) years of clerical experience and/or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years.
or
• Two (2) years of clerical experience in a welfare/social services/human services agency.
or
• 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).
or
• Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program).
or
• 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.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews; agency programs, operations, policies and procedures; available community resources; human behavior; MAXIS data information system, MMIS, SSIS and Prism System. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration; organize and coordinate job activities; accurately and rapidly process detailed information; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration.
* Strong time management and analytical skillset.
* Ability to work respectfully in a team environment while also being a motivated self-starter for independent caseloads.
* Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment and software programs.
* Advanced beginner competency with Office 365, including spreadsheets and electronic document file storage. * Ability to effectively utilize multiple complex computer systems.
* Data entry and keyboarding skills.
* Ability to organize and coordinate job activities.
* Ability to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records.
* Ability to remain objective and make decisions.
* Ability to express ideas clearly and ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
* Must pass a personal background investigation.
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. You will need scratch paper and/or a calculator to complete the exam. 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.
If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to six months (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.
How to apply:
Note: There are two steps to this application process
1. Apply to posting 951-Online (5) - Eligibility Worker - Online Exam (5) by the June 22nd 2026 deadline.
AND
2.Complete a Winona County application by 4:30 pm June 22nd, 2026
Please note, you are applying for a specific county vacancy and the exam must be completed online by June 25th, 2026 (midnight).
For instructions on how to apply, see Examination Process below (There is a two-part application process)
This position performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs including food support and grant determinations; may assist child support officers in carrying out routine assignments associated with support or collections work; and performs related work as assigned.
• 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.Three (3) years of clerical experience and/or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years.
or
• Two (2) years of clerical experience in a welfare/social services/human services agency.
or
• 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).
or
• Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program).
or
• 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.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews; agency programs, operations, policies and procedures; available community resources; human behavior; MAXIS data information system, MMIS, SSIS and Prism System. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration; organize and coordinate job activities; accurately and rapidly process detailed information; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration.
* Strong time management and analytical skillset.
* Ability to work respectfully in a team environment while also being a motivated self-starter for independent caseloads.
* Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment and software programs.
* Advanced beginner competency with Office 365, including spreadsheets and electronic document file storage. * Ability to effectively utilize multiple complex computer systems.
* Data entry and keyboarding skills.
* Ability to organize and coordinate job activities.
* Ability to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records.
* Ability to remain objective and make decisions.
* Ability to express ideas clearly and ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
* Must pass a personal background investigation.
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/or 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. You will need scratch paper and/or a calculator to complete the exam. 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.
If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to six months (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.
How to apply:
Note: There are two steps to this application process
1. Apply to posting 951-Online (5) - Eligibility Worker - Online Exam (5) by the June 22nd 2026 deadline.
AND
2.Complete a Winona County application by 4:30 pm June 22nd, 2026
Please note, you are applying for a specific county vacancy and the exam must be completed online by June 25th, 2026 (midnight).
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Salary : $30 - $39