Eligibility Worker

Description

Position: Eligibility Worker Location: Pine City, MN (Position may be eligible for telework) Union: AFSCME Health & Human Services Status: Full-time, non-exempt (37.5 hrs/week)

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK
Performs intermediate technical work receiving and processing eligibility applications, evaluating, determining and re-determining eligibility, referring clients to service workers, preparing and maintaining files and records, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Financial Assistance Supervisor II.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Interviews individuals to obtain required information to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for assistance programs; completes required forms; documents case records.
• Provides back-up caseload coverage for absent staff or vacant positions within the unit.
• Provides on-the-job training for new and experience eligibility works on policies, procedures and program requirements.
• Explains the benefit program rules and regulations; explains client rights and responsibilities.
• Completes eligibility determination; applies program regulations to determine eligibility and benefit amount; documents case record to show that regulations are applied correctly; completes worksheet to show verification of eligibility requirements; gathers information through written correspondence and oral contacts.
• Refers individuals to social workers and other programs, services and resources as a result of the overall assessment of the situation.
• Prepares, reports and maintains records; maintains and manages the ongoing caseload; files cases; prepares correspondence.
• Receives and responds to inquiries in person and via the telephone.
• Identifies potential fraud issues, documents and makes appropriate referrals; assists Fraud Prevention and Welfare Fraud Investigators in preparing cases for prosecution, and provides testimony in civil or criminal court as needed.
• Assists and/or provides input in the implementation of new County policies and procedures.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years 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, human services, 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.)
• Also, a valid Driver's License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

General knowledge of the principles and practices of public social service organizations; general knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and of human behavior and social functioning; ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions; ability to perform basic mathematics including calculating percentages; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to organize work schedule, manage workload and meet deadlines; ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, orally and in writing; ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates and the general public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Within six months:
  • Data Privacy Practices Training
  • HIPPA Training
  • Civil Rights Training
  • On-going mandatory training
• Training for all DHS programs and systems used to perform work
• Homeland Security SAVE System Training
• Security of IRS Information Training
• Valid Driver's License

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and frequently standing, walking, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

All applicants must complete a county application with cover letter, resume and proof of minimum qualifications. Visit the web site at to complete an online application by 4:30 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.