ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION SPECIALIST - 08252026 - 80204

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

Pay

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Substitution of 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.
• OR two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or State contractor.

Special requirements: criminal-history disclosure form, release of records, and fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI.

About the Role

This is a learning-level, customer-facing classification that determines eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs. After a mandatory one-year training period with satisfactory performance, the incumbent is reclassified to Eligibility Counselor 2; unacceptable ratings result in demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Learn to manage initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF based on Federal and State criteria through probing interviews in person or by phone.
• Provide case management for initial and ongoing eligibility and customer changes via direct engagement.
• Calculate monthly income and expenses; document verifications, benefits, and case activity in computerized and/or paper records.
• Ensure accurate benefit receipt by reviewing, verifying, and using customer data from multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist customers with applications and scheduling appointments.
• Review and interpret program policy; explain eligibility and ongoing responsibilities to customers.
• Assess customer strengths, goals, and desired outcomes; identify and refer to internal and external benefits and services to promote self-sufficiency.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs, and identify available services.

Skills

• Tech savvy, decision quality, process optimization, effective communication, trust-building.
• English language, mathematics, active learning/listening, complex problem solving, time management.
• Deductive and inductive reasoning, problem sensitivity, written comprehension.
• Proficiency with general office equipment, computers/laptops/tablets, multifunctional printers, and calculators.