Eligibility Worker

Salary: $38,534.71 - $40,461.46 Annually
Location : Social Services Building, 510 Patton Street, Danville, VA 24541, VA
Job Type: Full Time Non Exempt Salary
Job Number: 1002514
Department: Social Services
Division: Social Services
Opening Date: 05/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
Determine eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid, by interviewing clients and assisting them with filling out forms; securing information, explaining agency programs as well as rights and responsibilities to participants and applicants; gathering personal, social, and financial data to determine eligibility; and assessing the needs of the customer and making appropriate referrals.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Determines eligibility for public assistance and benefits by gathering personal and financial information; interpreting information and analyzing the details to assist with evaluations; ensuring that participants fall within guidelines set by local, state, and federal policy; completing changes in documents when necessary; keeping records up to date by performing terminations and suspensions of cases.
• Develops knowledge and skills regarding policies by researching policies; maintaining awareness with current events; studying how policies impact clients; reviewing changes to policy; and applying adjustment to job performance as necessary.
• Handles referrals by reviewing client circumstances; referring clients to internal or external departments and agencies when applicable; developing fraud awareness and dealing with clients in this regard as appropriate; testifying in court and fair hearings; and managing referrals for other situations when needed.
• Attend trainings as required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree, with broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field; and one to two years of experience.


An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above


Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver's License with acceptable driving record according to City Criteria

Job Knowledge
Basic familiarity with the work to know common principles and terminology and to understand and solve simple problems.


Reading
Intermediate: Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, and thesauruses.


Writing
Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.


Math
Intermediate: Ability to deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.


Communication Skills
Requires providing basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.


Independence and Decision-Making
Normally performs the duty assignment after receiving general instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results. There is some opportunity for discretion when making selections among a few, easily identifiable choices. The assignment is usually reviewed frequently.


Technical Skills
Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.


Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary/fiscal responsibility.


Supervisory Responsibilities
May occasionally direct helpers, assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temps.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is sedentary in nature, requiring occasional light physical exertion. Requires adequate vision, hearing and talking to use a computer, telephone and communicating effectively with others.


NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently experience time pressure, frequent change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and tedious or exacting work.
• May occasionally experience irregular work schedule/overtime.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
Typically requires use of standard office equipment, including computer and related hardware and software, and any other equipment as appropriate or required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in an office setting, where there is occasional exposure to communicable diseases.


The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task; and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
Accident Insurance
The City provides optional off the job accident insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides reimbursement for treatments associated with a wide array of accidents and injuries, and is available for immediate family members. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Annual Leave
Employees accrue annual leave hours based on the length of time they work for the City and their duty cycle. Hours are accrued on a semi monthly pay cycle. Employees are not eligible to use annual leave hours during their first six months of employment.

Critical Illness
The City provides optional critical illness insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides a lump sum benefit payment if an employee is diagnosed with a covered illness. Examples include heart attack, stroke, coronary atery by-pass surgery, and so on. Premiums are based on age and tobacco use. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Cancer Benefit

The City provides optional cancer insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides a benefit payment if an employee is diagnosed with cancer and provides a benefit during cancer treatments. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.
Deferred Compensation

The City of Danville offers a 457 plan to employees, which provides an opportunity to set aside a portion of your salary for retirement. Income taxes are not paid on the money your defer until you retire and start using it or leave the City. Enrollment in this plan is optional.

Dental Insurance
Employees have the opportunity to enroll in dental insurance through Delta Dental.There is an option of a Low PPO plan or a High PPO plan, and coverage is available for immediate family members. Employees pay the entire premium for this insurance through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit
Employees have the option of having their paycheck directly deposited into your financial checking and/or savings account each pay period. Employees may select up to three accounts at the same or different financial institutions for direct deposit.

Disability Insurance
Employees are given the option of selecting Short-term and/or Long-term disability insurance programs through The Standard for protection in the event that they become disabled through a non-work related injury. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and their dependent family members are eligible to use the City of Danville's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Sentara Health. The EAP offers free and confidential counseling services to help employees and their dependants deal with serious problems in their lives such as family or marital disputes, problems with alcohol and/or drug abuse, emotional illness, financial or legal worries, or difficulties with stress on the job. In addition to counseling services, the EAP also provides free legal, financial, and Identity Theft guidance.


Employee Health and Wellness Center
Employees and eligible dependents have access to the CareTeam Health and Wellness Center, which offers high-quality convenient medical care for an extremely low cost- sometimes it is free! City employees have dedicated nurse practitioners that provides primary care, lab services, chronic disease management, health and wellness coaching, and a variety of other things.


Flexible Spending Account
Employees have the option of participating in the flexible spending account (FSA). The FSA allows employees to select a set amount of money to be withheld from their paychecks each pay period for a year to cover certain medical and child care expenses. This money is deducted before taxes are calculated. Money put into the FSA is accessible to the employee through a debit card or through reimbursement.

Health Insurance
The City of Danville is self-insured and offers medical and prescription drug coverage through Gateway Health. This coverage is offered to employees and their dependents. The City pays a portion of the health insurance premiums and the employee pays a portion. Employees have the choice between a traditional PPO plan and two high deductible plans (HDHP). HDHP have an option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Holidays
The City of Danville offers the following paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, 1/2 day Day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, Easter Monday, George Washington Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, and Your Birthday

Retirement System
After five years of employment with the City of Danville, employees are vested in the City's Employees' Retirement System (ERS). ERS is a defined benefit retirement plan with the purpose of providing retirement, disability, and death-in-service benefits. Contributions by employee are mandatory.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is a privilege granted to all full-time employees. Sick leave is accrued on a semi monthly basis.


Term Life Insurance
The City of Danville offers optional group term life insurance benefits to employees through The Standard. The amount of death benefit is the employee's annual salary doubled and rounded to the next highest $1,000 up to a maximum of $200,000. Double indemnity (twice the death benefit) is provided for death by accident. The cost of this benefit is divided equally between the City and the employee, which means that the City pays one-half of the premium and the employee pays one-half of the premium.

Tuition Reimbursement
The City of Danville recognizes the value of educational training, and therefore, provides limited financial reimbursement to employees taking eligible course on their own time. Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement after their first six months of employment.


Vision Insurance
Employees have the option of enrolling in vision insurance through BlueView Vision. Coverage is available for immediate family members. Employees pay the entire premium for this insurance through payroll deduction.

Universal Life Insurance
The City offers optional universal life insurance benefits to employees through Allstate. Employees can select a benefit amount. Premiums are based on an employee's age and tobacco use. Coverage can be selected for an employee's spouse and children.