Recruiter / Eligibility Navigator

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Recruiter/Eligibility Navigator serves as the primary entry point into the WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs, responsible for participant recruitment, intake, and eligibility determination. This role ensures that individuals are accurately assessed for program eligibility, fully informed of program requirements, and supported through the enrollment process.

This position combines outreach, compliance, and participant advocacy functions, ensuring that program access is both equitable and efficient. By guiding participants through complex eligibility requirements and documentation processes, the Eligibility Navigator establishes early engagement, builds participant trust, and lays the foundation for successful program participation and progression.

Core Responsibilities

·        Conduct targeted outreach to recruit eligible participants, including priority populations

·        Develop and maintain referral relationships with community-based organizations, AJCH partners, and other service providers

·        Support community engagement efforts to maintain a consistent and diverse participant pipeline

·        Coordinate recruitment activities aligned with program capacity and participant flow targets

·        Conduct initial intake interviews and preliminary assessments to determine eligibility in accordance with WIOA regulations, local policies, and priority of service requirements

·        Verify and document eligibility criteria, including income, employment status, and barriers to employment

·        Ensure proper documentation collection, review, and submission for eligibility approval

·        Educate participants on program requirements, expectations, and available services

·        Assist participants in obtaining required documentation, including identification, income verification, and employment records

·        Provide step-by-step guidance through the eligibility process to ensure accessibility and clarity

·        Support participants in resolving eligibility barriers, including incomplete or missing documentation

·        Assist with eligibility reconsideration or appeals processes in accordance with local workforce policy

·        Collaborate with Career Navigators to ensure seamless transition from intake to case management

·        Maintain accurate participant records within HireNet Hawaiʻi and other reporting systems

·        Track enrollment activity and support balanced participant flow into the program

·        Coordinate with staff to align intake with program capacity and service delivery timelines

Performance Accountability

The Recruiter/Eligibility Navigator is directly accountable for:

·        Maintaining a consistent and sustainable pipeline of eligible participants

·        Ensuring timely enrollment aligned with program capacity and performance goals

·        Supporting enrollment targets while maintaining compliance with eligibility requirements

·        Ensuring all eligibility determinations are accurate, complete, and fully documented

·        Maintaining audit-ready eligibility files in accordance with WIOA and local policy

·        Preventing disallowed costs or compliance findings through proper documentation

·        Establishing early participant understanding of program expectations to reduce  early attrition by ensuring participants are fully prepared for participation and supporting informed entry into career pathways, improving downstream outcomes

·        Ensuring equitable access to services for priority populations and individuals with barriers

·        Reducing procedural barriers that may prevent eligible participants from enrolling

·        Supporting balanced participant flow across recruitment, enrollment, and service delivery

·        Minimizing delays in enrollment through efficient intake and documentation processes while coordinating with program staff to align recruitment with service capacity

Performance is evaluated based on:

·        Enrollment volume and timeliness

·        Accuracy and completeness of eligibility documentation

·        Compliance with WIOA requirements and audit standards

·        Participant readiness at enrollment and early-stage engagement

Minimum Qualifications

·        Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Business, Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience

·        Minimum 3+ years experience in intake, eligibility determination, outreach, or workforce programs

·        Strong knowledge of documentation requirements and verification processes

·        Experience working with diverse populations and individuals with barriers

Preferred Competencies

·        Experience with WIOA eligibility determination and priority of service

·        Familiarity with HireNet Hawaiʻi or similar case management systems

·        Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

·        Ability to explain complex processes in a clear and accessible manner

·        Experience working within community-based or workforce development environments