ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I

Requisition No: 874151

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60022025

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60022025

Salary: $1,392.96 bi-weekly, $36, 216.96 annually

Posting Closing Date: 04/19/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

• Interviewing applicants to obtain and verify information needed to determine eligibility for Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance.
• Learning numerous state and federal program regulations, through intensive training prior to full case assignment and then ongoing training thereafter. This work is driven by ongoing reliance on regulations.
• Instructing clients in completion of various forms, and reviewing the applications and forms submitted for completeness and accuracy.
• Determining program eligibility in accordance with current regulations using a computer-based eligibility system.
• Researching information provided by an applicant until satisfactory explanations regarding eligibility status is confirmed.
• Reporting cases where identity theft or fraud is suspected.
• Advising clients of deadlines, time frames, and necessary actions to be taken.
• Working with clients who may not take the necessary actions within the required time frame.
• Establishing and maintaining multiple electronic files and conducting regular reviews and updates.
• Documenting all communications and contacts with clients.
• Managing an electronic caseload that varies based on the community needs, ensuring that accuracy levels are maintained, and cases are processed within the specified time frames set by federal and state regulations.
• Computing and authorizing government assistance benefits based on financial and family status. Reviewing and explaining the monthly benefit amount to the customer.
• Staying current with changes in rules, laws, procedures, etc. that affect timeliness and accuracy.
• This position may require face-to-face contact with clients.

• Two years or more of customer service, interviewing, recruiting, investigating, accounting, processing insurance policies or determining eligibility. OR Associate degree, or higher from an accredited college or university, OR 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours can substitute for the experience. (When applying please attach required education, certification, or licensure).
• Ability to attend an 8 - 12-week mandatory training course.

• All eligible candidates will be required to complete a skills assessment to include the following tests, which requires successful completion for advancement to the next step in the hiring process: Within 3 days of the link being sent by email, the assessment must be completed.

• Hired candidates may be eligible for telework if they are employed with the department for a minimum of nine months, have completed training, and meet or exceed all performance expectations.
• Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection.
• Incumbents may be expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters.

• Apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple government assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
• Ability to review images such as pictures or handwritten notes to make eligibility determinations based on the information provided. Documents provided by clients are uploaded electronically and converted into images for review and eligibility determination.
• Communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
• Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
• Enter data accurately into a computerized system.
• Navigate through computer screens, complete, and review basic computer documents and other forms.
• Plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Read, understand, apply complicated and detailed regulations, and policy directives.
• Perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Use computers and related software packages.
• Follow written and oral directions and instructions.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
• The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.
• We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
• Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any candidate being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. Employment may be terminated based on the background investigation results if the candidate begins employment before the background results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Department.

Background investigations shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and national criminal records check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies. Employees will be retained in state and national rap back program, providing real-time arrest hit notifications.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.