ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION SPECIALIST - 08042026- 79730

Location: Dayton, TN – Department of Human Services, Rhea County. One full-time, on-site position requiring a criminal background check.

Pay

$3,229 – $4,041 per month ($38,748 – $48,492 annually).

Schedule

Full-time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Substitution of Experience for Education: qualifying full-time professional eligibility-determination experience and/or para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or State contractor may substitute year-for-year for the required education.
• OR two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or State contractor.
• Must complete a criminal-history disclosure form, release all records, and supply fingerprints as prescribed by the TBI.

About the role

This classification learns to perform eligibility-determination work of average difficulty. Employees interview customers and learn to determine eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs under direct supervision. After successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period, the employee will be reclassified to Eligibility Counselor 2; “unacceptable” or “needs improvement” ratings during training will result in demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Learn to manage a workload of initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs based on Federal and State criteria through probing interviews in person or by phone.
• Learn to provide case management for initial and ongoing eligibility and customer changes via direct engagement.
• Learn to calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting.
• Document verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case-related activity using computerized and/or paper case files.
• Learn to ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying, and utilizing data from customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
• Learn to assist customers with the application process and scheduling appointments.
• Learn to review and interpret program policy and explain eligibility and ongoing responsibilities to customers.
• Learn to assess customer strengths, goals, and desired outcomes to aid in self-sufficiency; identify and refer customers to available benefits and services within the Department or from external sources.
• Learn to develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs, and identify services that meet customer needs.

Skills

• Tech Savvy
• Decision Quality
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Communicates Effectively
• Instills Trust
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• General office equipment
• Computer/laptop/tablet
• Multifunctional printer (print/scan/fax/copy)
• Calculator