Eligibility Specialist

Salary: $17.00 - $25.00 Hourly
Location : 2440 Thompson Street, FL
Job Type: Temp 81 w/FRS & MED (30+ hours)
Job Number: 07904FC
Department: Human and Veteran Services
Opening Date: 04/14/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Description
Lee County Human & Veteran Services is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Temporary Eligibility Specialist to support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
In this role, you will help residents apply for energy assistance, process applications, and support programs that prevent utility disconnection. You will work with clients, utility companies, partner agencies, and County teams to ensure timely, accurate, and caring service.
This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys helping people, working in a team environment, and supporting programs that meet important community needs.

Position Type
This is a Temp 81 position with FRS & MED benefits (30+ hours per week).
This is a grant-funded temporary role.

Duties and Responsibilities
What You Will Do

Review and Process Applications

• Review applications for LIHEAP and other utility assistance programs
• Ensure applications follow federal, state, and local rules
• Contact clients when more information or documents are needed

Support Clients and Community Partners

• Communicate with clients, utility providers, and partner agencies
• Answer questions about eligibility and program services
• Assist with outreach events to increase community awareness

Maintain Accurate Records

• Keep client files complete, confidential, and audit-ready
• Perform scanning, filing, mailing, copying, and data entry
• Follow all program and regulatory record-keeping rules

Work as a Team

• Collaborate with the Family Impact Unit and other County departments
• Support a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment

Serve a Diverse Community

• Work professionally with individuals from many different backgrounds

Additional Duties

• Perform other job-related tasks that support program goals

Education, Experience, Licensing
What We're Looking For

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Two years of experience in human services or a closely related field, such as:
  • Social services
  • Case management
  • Public assistance or benefits eligibility work
  • Behavioral health support
  • Youth or family support services
  • Work with vulnerable populations (seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities)
  • Intake screening or service navigation roles
  • Nonprofit program support positions
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to stay calm and professional in emotionally sensitive or high-pressure situations
• Basic math and data entry skills; comfort using Windows-based software

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or a related field
• Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

Fingerprint Screening Requirement
This position requires a fingerprint-based background check, as required by law. The screening reviews criminal history and other legally permitted information. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements will not be eligible for employment. Learn more:

Supplemental Information
Work Environment and Schedule

• Primarily office-based work
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Why Join Us?

Your work will directly help families stay safe in their homes by preventing utility shutoffs and connecting residents with vital energy assistance. You will support important community programs, gain experience in human services, and be part of a dedicated team committed to helping Lee County residents.

About the Department

The Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services supports individuals, families, and veterans through housing assistance, outreach, and coordinated care. The department works throughout the community to connect people with resources and promote long-term stability.
About Lee County:
Lee County is located in beautiful Southwest Florida and is home to over 800,000 residents. We are dedicated to serving our community with high-quality services and a focus on sustainability and innovation. Join us in making Lee County a great place to live, work, and visit. Find out more about Lee County at Lee County Government.


EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply.
Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive, and affordable benefits package. Our Board works in the best interest of employees and strives to provide the most complete, high-quality benefits package available at the lowest possible cost to the employee. Our Board continues to remain steadfast in maintaining one of the lowest levels of employee costs in our area.
Lee County's benefits package is offered to both regular Full-time positions and Part-time positions that are regularly scheduled to work 60 hours or more bi-weekly. Medical benefits may be offered to On-Call, Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern employees who meet the Affordable Care Act eligibility criteria.
Lee County employees eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) are required to contribute 3% of each paycheck to FRS. If you have retired from the Florida Retirement Pension plan you will not be eligible for renewed membership in either of the FRS retirement plan options. Retirees of the Investment Plan are eligible for renewed membership in the Investment Plan only. FRS reemployment rules apply for both.
Below is a brief breakdown of what's included in the benefits package that is offered to our employees.
For a more detailed look into our benefits package, please click visit our webpage at
To view our employee paid premiums, please visit:
Health Benefits:
• Medical Insurance
• Plans include, but are not limited to: routine, preventative, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription drug benefits.
• Vision, Fitness, Weight Management, Natural Products and Services, and Hearing discount programs available.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Medical Reimbursement Account
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Pharmacy, including Mail-Order Pharmacy
• Informed Health Lines (Nurse Hotline)
• Basic Life Insurance (1x or 2x Annual Salary at no cost to employee)
• Optional Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (60% of pre-disability salary at no cost to employee)
• Short-Term Disability
• Sick Leave Pool
• Flu vaccinations
• Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits:
• Florida Retirement System (FRS)
• Two Retirement Plan Options:
1) FRS Pension Plan (Defined Benefit)
2) FRS Investment Plan (Defined Contribution)
• Deferred Compensation (457) Plans
• Financial Savings/Management Programs
• Eligible for membership with Suncoast Credit Union
• Employee Leave Benefits
• Holiday Pay - 11 Paid Holidays Annually
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Bereavement & Civic Duty Leave
• Family and Medical Leave
• Military Family & Medical Leave
• Educational Leave
Employee Assistance Program

Services available to employees that offers guidance, support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential and provided at no charge to employees and their dependents.
United Way 2-1-1 (Lee County Employee Resource Program)

Lee County BOCC has partnered with United Way 211 to provide an Employee Resource Program which assists BoCC employees who may be experiencing distress due to economic hardship, health or other factors.
Educational Assistance

Reimbursement for coursework taken at an accredited college or university that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the official duties that the employees perform.
01


Do you possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you able to work as a Temp 81 employee (grant-funded, temporary position)?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have at least two (2) years of experience in human services, counseling, crisis intervention, or a closely related field? (Be sure to include this experience in the Work History section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

04


Areas of Experience (Check all that apply)(Be sure to include this experience in the Work History section of your application.)

• Human services
• Counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Case management
• Community outreach
• Public assistance or eligibility determination
• Behavioral health support
• Victim advocacy
• Youth or family support services
• Intake screening
• Service navigation/resource referrals
• Nonprofit program support
• Data entry and documentation
• Working with utility companies or service providers
• None of the above

Required Question