Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3) Bilingual Required English/Spanish

Initial Posting Date:

04/15/2024

Application Deadline:

04/29/2024

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$3,776 - $5,232

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Benefit & Eligibility Worker (Human Services Specialist 3) Bilingual Required English/Spanish

Job Description:

We are seeking a Bilingual English & Spanish Benefit & Eligibility Worker to join our Portland Self Sufficiency team.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the Equity North Star as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to apply.

Have you always wanted to be part of a collaborative and diverse team working in-person with Oregonians? If you are looking for an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of new career, making a difference in people's lives and have a strong desire to help others, the position below may be for you.

Bilingual Required - English & Spanish

This position does require bilingual language skills in English and Spanish because there is a need in the communities that we serve.

You will work in the St Johns Portland Branch on N Lombard Street office, assisting Oregonians in-person. This is not a remote position.

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), A place to belong and make a difference!

• When you join the ODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

• Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS' overall mission and vision.

• We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

• We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and competitive benefits packages including health, dental, vision and much more!

What you need to qualify

• Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of clients, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the client's situation.

• Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience).

• A job offer is contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in English and Spanish.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate meeting the minimum qualifications (What you need to qualify) in their submitted resume or application. This is best done by submitting a complete (long version) resume and/or application with all work experience, including all job duties, education, and relevant volunteer work.

Essential attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience in interviewing customers in person & by phone to obtain information to determine eligibility for a service or program.

• Experience using basic mathematics in a work environment with a high level of accuracy.

• Experience in completing tasks, duties, projects, and obligations with deadlines. Experience in successfully prioritizing a high-volume workload.

• Experience in professionally interacting and communicating with a high volume of diverse customers.

• Successful experience with communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services while delivering customer service that continually exceeds expectations.

• Experience in creating and maintaining written documentation (narrations), as well as notices & reports of eligibility determinations.

Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet these attributes within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.

Your duties at a glance

As an employee working in the Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP), you will have an opportunity to provide resources and services to help people move out of poverty and toward whole well-being. Programs include food benefits, cash assistance, childcare assistance, medical, services for domestic violence survivors, resources for refugees and support for youth experiencing homelessness.

As a Benefit & Eligibility Worker, you will:

• Perform eligibility determinations, redeterminations, periodic reviews, and updates to changes for ODHS, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs.

• Interview applicants in person, by phone, by email to gather information needed to assess and determine if there is a need for services and benefits.

• Assessing client family strengths and needs, connecting families to other resources and programs.

• You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources, findings of home visit, and conclusions.

Working conditions

• Work is conducted in offices and other program sites.

• Based on business need, this position may be relocated to other offices or to out stationed sites within the district.

• May require a valid driver's license or other acceptable method of transportation.

• May interact with clients who are under emotional or financial stress.

• This position works in the Self Sufficiency office and is not remote.

Application instructions & requirements

Your work history profile, cover letter (optional) and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.

• Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account. Ensure that your Workday is updated and includes your work and education history.

• If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.

• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

Additional requirements

• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• May require a valid driver's license or other acceptable method of transportation.

Helpful information

• This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out our Oregon job opportunities page.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Yvette Sather-Medford via email yvette.c.medford@odhs.oregon.gov . Please be sure to include the job requisition number.

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!