Lead Economic Support Specialist

Sheboygan County - Health & Human Services is a proud 2026 Gold recipient of Mental Health America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, awarded for our commitment to employee mental health and well-being. Learn more about the Bell Seal at mhanational.org/bestemployers.

Here is why working at Sheboygan County is for you:
It is our imperative to remain an inclusive workplace. Sheboygan County is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents our community. Sheboygan County Health and Human Services also strives to be a trauma informed organization which fully realizes the prevalence of trauma, recognizes the effects of trauma, and responds with trauma informed policies and practices, and we are looking for staff who will help us champion this journey.

Becoming a member of our growing team also means that YOU become our top priority. You will not only enjoy a dynamic work environment but a variety of perks including but not limited to the following:

• Generous benefits package 
• Time off: 15 vacation days, sick time and 10 paid holidays
• Other perks: Referral program, Wisconsin Retirement System, education discount and more!

What to Expect: 

The Lead Economic Support Specialist performs advanced eligibility determination and case management for Public Assistance and Workforce Development programs, including Medical Assistance/BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare Wisconsin, Wisconsin Shares (Child Care), Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, Children’s First, and FoodShare Employment and Training. In addition to maintaining a partial caseload with full autonomy, this position serves as a technical resource for Economic Support Specialists by providing guidance on policy interpretation, complex case resolution, and system navigation. The Lead Economic Support Specialist supports consistent program implementation by assisting with training development and delivery, participating in consortium-wide lead support functions, reviewing casework for accuracy and compliance, and responding to escalated consumer and staff inquiries. This role operates with a high degree of independence and expertise but does not include formal supervisory authority.

• Determine initial and ongoing eligibility and provide case management for Public Assistance and Workforce Development programs, including Medical Assistance/BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare Wisconsin, Wisconsin Shares (Child Care), Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, Children’s First, and FoodShare Employment and Training, maintaining an assigned caseload with full autonomy.
• Apply complex State and Federal policies and procedures to dynamic household situations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant benefit determinations, including high-risk, escalated, or specialized cases.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for trained Economic Support Specialists by providing daily guidance on policy interpretation, procedural application, and system navigation, including responding to complex case questions and troubleshooting errors.
• Participate in consortium-wide lead support functions, including scheduled shifts on the ECIMP Lead Line and Change Center queues, assisting staff across multiple counties and handling escalated consumer contacts requiring advanced problem-solving and de-escalation skills.
• Review and evaluate casework completed by Economic Support Specialists to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with State and Federal requirements; provide corrective guidance and feedback as needed.
• Develop, update, and deliver training materials and program refreshers in collaboration with leadership, including onboarding support, cross-program training, and policy implementation guidance.
• Coordinate workload distribution activities, including assigning applications, renewals, and reports; maintain tracking tools; and provide coverage for staff absences to ensure continuity of services.
• Represent the County in Administrative Law Hearings, including preparing case documentation, presenting agency actions, and explaining policy application in formal proceedings.
• Identify, process, and review benefit overpayments; conduct detailed investigations into discrepancies, wage matches, incarceration reports, and eligibility conflicts; and refer appropriate cases for fraud investigation or recovery action.
• Review and process system alerts, data exchanges, worklists, and reports across multiple State systems to ensure timely resolution and compliance with consortium and County standards.
• Perform specialized lead assignments as designated, which may include child care certification coordination, fraud review functions, security officer responsibilities for system access, long-term care support, or inter-program liaison activities.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with internal departments, consortium partners, childcare providers, long-term care facilities, community agencies, and State program staff to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Monitor program performance data, fiscal and utilization reports, and compliance metrics; assist with required State reporting and support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain current knowledge of State and Federal regulations, system changes, and policy updates; participate in required trainings, consortium meetings, and lead coordination sessions.
• Perform related duties as assigned in support of program integrity, staff development, and effective public assistance service delivery.

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional coursework in Business, Social Services, Social Sciences or Human Services preferred.
Minimum Experience: Three (3) years of experience as an Economic Support Specialist, one (1) year of which must be in WI. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Other Requirements:
•Required to complete a State Cohort IM training by DHS and DCF.
•Bilingual in Spanish or Hmong is desirable.
•A Valid Wisconsin Driver’s license.

• Knowledge of State and Federal Income Maintenance and Workforce Development policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements applicable to programs such as Medical Assistance/BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare Wisconsin, Wisconsin Shares (Child Care), Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, Children’s First, and FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET).
• Advanced skill in analyzing complex household circumstances, financial information, and verification documents to accurately determine initial and ongoing eligibility and identify policy impacts, discrepancies, or potential overpayments.
• Proficiency in using State eligibility, case management, and data systems to enter, review, correct, and maintain accurate case information, benefits, reports, and workload tracking tools.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including advanced interviewing techniques and the ability to clearly explain policy, benefit determinations, and corrective actions to customers, staff, and partner agencies.

• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical resource for Economic Support Specialists by answering policy and system questions, reviewing work for accuracy, and providing guidance to support consistent application of policy.
• Ability to develop, deliver, and support training and refresher instruction for new and experienced staff, including participation in curriculum development and ongoing program updates.
• Demonstrated judgment, analytical thinking, and organizational skills to manage a partial caseload while balancing lead responsibilities, consortium support duties, and time-sensitive program requirements.
• Ability to work independently with full autonomy while functioning as a collaborative lead within a multi-county consortium and internal county team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work professionally and respectfully with staff, community partners, consortium members, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing financial hardship, crisis, or complex personal circumstances.
• Capacity to remain composed, problem-solve, and provide guidance in high-volume environments involving escalated calls, urgent customer needs, competing priorities, and consortium-wide workload demands.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, data security standards, and privacy laws applicable to public assistance programs; demonstrates discretion, integrity, and professionalism when handling sensitive information.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing eligibility determinations, reports, overpayments, fraud indicators, and policy applications across automated systems.
• Ability to monitor workload distribution, track assignments, and assist with continuity of operations by providing coverage, prioritizing worklists, and supporting staff during absences or peak workload periods.
• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, initiative, and professionalism in supporting program integrity, mentoring staff, maintaining compliance, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
• Ability to accept feedback, adapt to frequent policy and system changes, and model flexibility and problem-solving within a dynamic regulatory and service delivery environment.

• Work is performed primarily in an office or remote office environment within the Human Services Department, with frequent use of a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
• Position requires prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, viewing computer monitors, and reviewing electronic and paper records.
• Frequent verbal communication is required to conduct interviews, provide guidance to staff, respond to customer inquiries, participate in hearings, and collaborate with consortium partners.
• Ability to hear, speak, and see sufficiently to communicate effectively with customers, staff, supervisors, consortium partners, and external agencies, and to accurately review and process detailed information in electronic systems and written materials.
• Work involves managing high call volumes, competing priorities, urgent customer situations, and time-sensitive eligibility determinations in a fast-paced environment.
• May be required to attend meetings, trainings, hearings, or consortium-related activities at locations outside the primary worksite.
• Access to a car, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to drive or arrange transportation in and out of county as needed to perform job duties.
• Work may involve exposure to emotionally stressful situations when assisting individuals and families experiencing crisis, financial hardship, or complex personal circumstances.
• Regular attendance and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule are required to meet operational needs, including coverage for consortium duties, hearings, or training activities.
• Risk of blood-borne pathogen exposure is considered low.

Salary : $28 - $33