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Initial Posting Date:
05/02/2022
05/02/2022
Application Deadline:
05/16/2022
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$3,165.00 – $4,765.00 monthly
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Benefit and Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3)
Job Description:
We want you to join our team!
Are you passionate about serving your community and helping Oregonians out of poverty? Do you thrive in high functioning, collaborative team environments? If you answered yes, then we want to hear from you!
The Office of Self Sufficiency, which is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), is looking to hire two (2) individuals that deliver excellent customer service and create a welcoming environment as a Benefit and Eligibility Worker in the Klamath Falls store front office location. In this role you will be part of a team that provides assistance and conducts interviews to determine eligibility for Oregonians seeking services from our agency in-person, over the phone and online.
ODHS: A place to belong and make a difference!
When you join the ODHS team, you join a community of nearly 10,000 employees dedicated to serving Oregon’s most vulnerable populations.
Our Mission is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
We are committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency’s goals related to equity, inclusion and racial justice.
At ODHS you…
Find connections through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); officially chartered groups organized around shared cultural identity(ies) to support historically underrepresented ODHS employees.
Grow your career through free leadership training, ample career pathways and committee participation opportunities.
Enjoy work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, some positions allow for remote work options and competitive benefits packages.
To learn more about our agency, click here.
What you will be doing:
Determine initial eligibility for agency administered programs such as: medical, cash for families (TANF), Domestic Violence services, food benefits (SNAP), childcare assistance (ERDC), long term care services, etc.
Conduct interviews by phone and in-person to gather information to assess and determine need for services and benefits.
Assess applicant family strengths and needs, connecting individuals and/or families to other resources and programs in the community.
Write clear and concise case notes to summarize information gathered from applicant and collateral sources.
Other duties as assigned.
Working conditions:
Contact with the public, including contact with and possibly de-escalating customers experiencing emotional and financial stress.
Serve a diverse range of customers with compassion and professionalism through a trauma informed lens.
May require sitting at a terminal or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday.
Experience high volume of computer work, using various computer programs in a fast-paced environment.
Priorities and procedures may change daily and requires the ability to be flexible in application of procedures.
Work schedule will be Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm in the Klamath Falls store front office.
Minimum Qualifications / What you need to qualify:
Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of clients, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the client’s situation.
Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience).
Essential attributes:
Customer Service: Calm, professional communication skills to ensure quality customer service daily by telephone, in writing or in person. Ability to demonstrate active listening and compassion to serve diverse customer needs.
Adaptable/ongoing learner: Demonstrated ability to apply lessons-learned to varying environments and situations; welcome constructive feedback and suggestions to strengthen work performance.
Conflict resolution: Ability to read situations quickly and deescalate effectively, view conflict as an opportunity to find common ground, and foster cooperation without disruption to workflow or interpersonal relationships.
Commitment to team: Demonstrated commitment to developing relationships that establish trust, approachability and flexibility amongst individuals with diverse learning and communication styles. Inclusive and respectful of others’ contributions and ideas.
Computer Skills: Adept in usage and functionality of computers, web browsers, Microsoft programs, quality keyboarding and multiline telephone. Ability to learn and use multiple systems in tandem for research, tracking, and client case management.
Organizational skills: Ability to remain organized, have good time management skills, and prioritize work tasks and responsibilities appropriately in a fast paced, high productivity environment.
You must clearly show that you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes described above in your application or resume to be considered for an interview.
How to apply:
Your work history profile, cover letter and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase the amazing skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position.
Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. View this video for help.
Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account. View this job aid for help.
Veterans: If you are claiming Veterans Preference points, you will receive a task in your Workday account to provide military documents (if you have not already provided them). Please ensure to complete all tasks in Workday during the application process and upload your documents (DD214/Disability). For privacy reasons, please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application – instead, attach these documents when prompted to during the Workday task. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources.
Do you have bilingual skills in another language? If so, you are encouraged to apply! Bilingual differential pay is provided to positions that require the use of a language other than English to fulfill their job duties. Bilingual differential pay is 5% of the employee’s base pay and is contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in another language. Please note, bilingual language skills are not required for this position.
Background checks:
Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment. The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Additional information:
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.
This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact our office at [email protected].
Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out this link.
For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact [email protected] . Please be sure to include the job requisition number.
