Economic Support Specialist

Job Title

Public Assistance Case Manager

Job Description

Determines eligibility and provides ongoing case management for Polk County/Great Rivers Income Maintenance Consortium in a timely and accurate manner for the following public assistance programs: Medical Assistance, BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare/SNAP (Food Stamps), Caretaker Supplement (CTS), and the Wisconsin Shares Child Care subsidies.

Duties and Responsibilities

These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.

Written and Verbal Communication Skills

• Conducts intensive investigative interviews to obtain and evaluate financial and non-financial information in order to determine eligibility for assistance
• Researches, interprets and applies federal, state, and local policies governing eligibility, legal rights, and responsibilities of applicants
• Determines correct public assistance benefits through direct client contact via office interview, home visits, and telephone in compliance with required state and federal time frames

Superior Customer Service and Community Relation

• Answers phones in a Call Center setting; provides case management duties; answers questions, provides case status updates, processes changes; troubleshoots problems, responds to emergency needs, re-determines eligibility and processes verifications
• Manually determines eligibility for specific programs that are not automated or when system is unavailable
• Creates manual notices of determination
• Records, maintains, reviews and regularly corrects benefit levels and other documentation regarding applicants, using CARES and CARES Worker Web systems

Leveraging Technology

• Obtains and verifies third-party information needed to determine eligibility

Interpersonal Relations

• Works in collaboration with various agencies and support services; verifies appropriate levels of benefits and/or services

Accountability

• Authorizes monetary benefits in childcare authorizations, FoodShare, fees for service and capitation rates for medical assistance and BadgerCare Plus, and authorizes payment for caretaker supplement on social security income.
• Identifies risk factors such as AODA, domestic abuse, disabilities, or suspected child/elder abuse and reports to appropriate services

Data Gathering and Analysis

• Responds to financial and non-financial cross matches and alerts
• Prepares Fraud and Program Integrity referrals
• Recalculates benefits
• Provides testimony at administrative hearings and in court
• Assesses individual and family needs
• Arranges for additional benefits or services within the department; makes referrals to other agencies and community support services

Integrity/Honesty

• Attends ongoing trainings regarding changes in the federal and state regulations and technical advancements

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Knowledge

• Associate's Degree in a Human Services-related field, Public/Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, or Communication
• Two (2) years of experience dealing with the general public in a position requiring the utilization of investigative interviewing techniques or provision of employment and training-related services OR Two (2) years of experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs to include income maintenance and/or childcare assistance within the last 5 years may be substituted for the required education

Minimum Skills Assessment Requirements

• Skills and abilities may be evaluated through various standardized pre-employment assessment tools.
• Satisfactorily completes New Worker Training provided by DHS

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations Valid driver's license or access to transportation. Occasionally required to travel for educational opportunities or to work with staff at various satellite offices or other campus locations.

Additional Information

EEO Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. ADA Statement (Reasonable Accommodations): We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io

Personal Time Off (PTO) is frontloaded and prorated upon hire and a maximum of 300 hours can carry over to the new accrual year.

Extended Leave

Accrual at the rate of five (5) days, 46.25 hours annually (cap 20 days)

Holidays

Ten (10) paid holidays per year (Employees working on holidays, paid over-time rate – 1 ½ times regular rate of pay)

Term Life Insurance

One (1) times annual salary at no cost to employee. Supplemental Life available for employee, spouse, & children

Retirement - WRS

Employee portion: 7.20% Employer portion: 7.20%

Deferred Compensation

Wisconsin Deferred Comp – three (3) options for additional retirement savings (pre-tax)

Health Insurance

Begins on the 1st of the month following date of hire Health Partners - three (3) plan options to choose from

Other Insurance

Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, Accident and Hospital

Flexible Spending Account

Administered through WEX (pre-tax dollars for medical expenses and daycare costs)

Employee Assist. Program Health Partners confidential counseling services

Wellness Options

Employees may select to participate in various wellness programs and activities throughout the year. Onsite Fitness Center and wooded walking trail available for staff enjoyment.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $1,500 reimbursement for approved expenses per class; and a maximum benefit of $3,000 annually

Job Number: 202600918

Location: Government Center, 100 Polk County Plaza, Balsam Lake, WI

Salary: $25.10 Hourly

Job Type: Full-Time

Opening Date: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 9/4/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)