Certifier/Eligibility Worker

Location: Food Distribution/Ranch

Status: Full time

Pay: $19.45 per hour

Benefits: Full

About the role

Under general supervision of the Food Distribution Manager, this position performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for the Food Distribution Program.

Responsibilities

• Process and determine eligibility for Food Distribution Services.
• Interview clients to obtain and verify necessary information.
• Explain application procedures and answer questions about completing forms.
• Determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis and explain decisions to clients.
• Communicate program requirements, time limits, and expectations to participants.
• Assist participants in understanding how to maintain eligibility.
• Communicate with SNAP and other Food Distribution agencies to prevent dual participation.
• Make home visits to shut-in customers.
• Re-determine eligibility, record, and evaluate personal and financial data.
• Maintain complete and accurate records on client eligibility.
• Respond to customer rights and responsibilities in compliance with Federal requirements.
• Inform clients of their Civil Rights and Fair Hearing policies.
• Respond to client appeals and other legal rights.
• Prepare cases for appeal hearings, document agency actions, and provide testimony.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of clerical experience in a social services/human services agency.
• Must pass criminal background check and drug screening.
• Must have a valid MN Driver’s License and insurance for travel between sites.

Skills

• Knowledge of the demographics and geography of the White Earth Reservation.
• Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment, and software programs.
• Knowledge of multiple complex computer systems.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews.
• Knowledge of program rules, regulations, benefits, and methods of determining eligibility.
• Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, social services, and diversionary assistance programs.
• Skilled in basic math for data entry and calculating figures and percentages.
• Skilled in customer service and interacting with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in communicating, in written and verbal form, with a culturally diverse clientele.
• Skilled in data entry and keyboarding.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers, and agency administration.
• Ability to effectively explain income procedures to recipients.
• Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial crises.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, make decisions, and work independently under stress.
• Ability to be objective/non-judgmental.
• Ability to accurately and rapidly process detailed information.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and comprehend complex written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate and systematic records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain a clean facilities atmosphere.