Public Benefits Specialist Entry, (Public Benefits Specialist Entry) Bilingual English/Spanish Required

About the role

The Oregon Department of Human Services seeks a bilingual Public Benefits Specialist Entry to join the Aging & People with Disabilities (APD) team in Hillsboro, Oregon. The ideal candidate must be bilingual in English and Spanish, with two years of experience in a reception area or call center, or an associate degree in a related field with six months of similar experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver professional, respectful, and culturally responsive customer service in a high-volume office setting.
• Manage administrative operations including phone and email communications, mail processing, electronic records management, task tracking, meeting coordination, and data entry in agency systems.
• Provide eligibility support by explaining benefits, notices, program requirements, application procedures, and available community resources, while maintaining accurate case documentation.
• Schedule appointments for individuals and families, using person-centered, trauma-informed practices.
• Connect individuals and families with community resources and support services.

Requirements

• Experience scheduling appointments for individuals and vulnerable populations in high-volume environments using person-centered, trauma-informed practices.
• Experienced in applying crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques to de-escalate emotionally charged situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients, families, and staff while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.
• Experience providing front desk customer service and communicating complex information, policies, and procedures clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience learning and adapting to new tasks, workflows, and computer systems with minimal supervision, demonstrating quick uptake and consistent accuracy.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, digital databases, answering phones, and data entry.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience working in a reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service.
• An associate degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field AND six months of experience working in a busy reception area or call center.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the class concept.

Essential Attributes

• Experience scheduling appointments for individuals and vulnerable populations in high-volume environments using person-centered, trauma-informed practices.
• Experienced in applying crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques to de-escalate emotionally charged situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients, families, and staff while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.
• Experience providing front desk customer service and communicating complex information, policies, and procedures clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience learning and adapting to new tasks, workflows, and computer systems with minimal supervision, demonstrating quick uptake and consistent accuracy.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, email systems, digital databases, answering phones, and data entry.

Benefits

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Awarded candidate preference for veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former).
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.