Eligibility and Benefit Specialist

About the role

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking up to 15 Eligibility and Benefit Specialists (Job Classification: Income Maintenance Worker 2) to join our team of dedicated specialists. These positions will be part of our Multi Economic Assistance Programs Application Team responsible for processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), Medicaid, and Family Investment Program (FIP) applications. HHS has hundreds of team members across the state and is in search of highly motivated and compassionate individuals interested in a rewarding career assisting those in need of food, medical care, cash assistance and other social services through programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) and Temporary assistance for Needy Families (TANF). You’ll work with customers, assess information to approve benefits, and receive dedicated training to understand how we serve Iowans.

Responsibilities

• Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for State and Federal assistance programs administered by HHS.
• Process applications and recertifications within specific time frames.
• Interview applicants and clients telephonically.
• Communicate program rules and responsibilities.
• Document case actions.
• Manage an assigned caseload with duties that include reviewing documents, processing changes in eligibility, participating in the appeals process, making referrals to other services, and completing corrective actions when necessary.
• Complete other duties as assigned including participation in committees, work groups, public forums, and trainings.

Requirements

Sixty semester hours (or equivalent academic units) from an accredited college or university; OR a combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time public contact work experience obtaining, analyzing and/or evaluating data for each year of the required college education (on the basis that thirty semester hours is equal to one year of work experience); OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 18 months of full-time work at a Clerk Advanced level or above involving public contact experience on a regular basis in a service area.

Skills

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Collect, analyze and interpret complex policies, procedures and information from customers or 3rd parties.
• Communicate effectively in person, via phone, and in writing.
• Excel at meeting processing timeframes and managing an individual workload while working within a team.
• Prepare and present documents verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and strong attention to details.
• Possess strong computer navigation and math skills.
• The ability to communicate in another language in addition to English is a plus.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free