Eligibility Specialist

Eligibility Specialist

Salary

$27.94 - $39.68 Hourly

Location

Government Center, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313, MN

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026 July - Eligibility Spec

Department

Health & Human Services

Opening Date

07/15/2026

Closing Date

7/29/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Definition of Work

Starting pay range is $27.94/hr. - $31.29/hr. depending on qualifications. Candidates who have prior work experience as a County Eligibility Specialist or have directly related experience determining program eligibility may qualify for hire above the minimum of the wage scale.

Performs intermediate skilled administrative support work determining initial and ongoing eligibility for State and Federal public assistance programs for individuals and/or families in a manner compliant with applicable County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and rules; and working with clients to establish and/or maintain self-sufficiency and economic independence. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Financial Assistance Supervisor.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assesses, reviews and determines eligibility by performing intakes and assessments for new applicants for financial, emergency/crisis and health care programs, Issues program benefits for eligible clients and monitors continued compliance and eligibility.
• Interviews and screens clients in person and by phone to explain program eligibility and requirements; assists clients with diverse cultural and language backgrounds with the application process; verifies income, financial resources, work history, assesses client needs and makes referrals to other agencies, programs and community resources; processes applications in multiple software systems to determine appropriate program benefits.
• Complies information and testifies during appeal hearings.
• Enters information into and reviews State database(s) regarding client eligibility and benefit programs; checks interfaces with other County, State, and Federal agencies and departments; verifies accuracy of benefit determination; refers cases and individuals to the Fraud Investigator when financial abuse is suspected; notifies clients of determination; responds to questions from clients, outside facilities, agencies and vendors regarding client benefits and eligibility.
• Performs case management activities.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of public assistance programs; serves as a resource and provides training to other staff members.
• Communicates information with internal and external partners on County, State, and Federal guidelines.
• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED, and three years of experience in human services, collections, legal, financial or customer service-related field working with State and Federal benefit eligibility programs, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates /Technical degree is preferred.

Special Requirements

A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of, and adherence to, State statutes regarding Confidentiality, Privacy, and Protected information; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and interpret court orders, legal documents and technical documents related to financial services; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to learn, apply and interpret laws and regulations related to State and Federal financial/healthcare programs, some of which may be complex and interrelated; ability to learn County government work flows and processes; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to problem solve using knowledge of multiple programs and the rules of application; ability to use de-escalation techniques with non-cooperative/non-compliant clients and when deemed necessary report escalating behaviors to law enforcement personnel; ability to learn accounting and financial systems and programs used to support department's financial function; ability to interpret a variety of client provided information, such as tax returns or financial data; ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, Click Here.

01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete all the following supplemental questions. I understand that I will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information I provide in my employment application and that a resume will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand this.

• Yes
• No

02

This position requires a High school diploma or GED, and three years of experience in human services, collections, legal, financial or customer service-related field working with State and Federal benefit eligibility programs, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates /Technical degree is preferred. Do you meet the minimum requirements of this position?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your education and experience that indicates you fulfill the listed minimum requirements.

04

Which best describes your level of education (highest degree received)?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree in an applicable field of study such as Business Administration, Accounting, Human Services, or equivalent
• Bachelors Degree in an applicable field of study such as Business Administration, Accounting, Human Services, or equivalent
• None of the above

05

If indicated you have a degree, describe your area of study and from what institution. If no degree, type "N/A".

06

If you are attending or have attended a technical college for a Public Welfare Program, select the one category that best describes your level of completion.

• Have not attended a program
• Attended some of a program, but did not complete an internship or graduate
• Currently fulfilling internship requirement
• Have completed a Certificate or Diploma Program
• Have completed a Degree Program

07

Which best describes your paid full-time equivalent years of experience providing direct client/customer service to clientele with limited income, the elderly or disabled, or other diverse populations in need?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• Greater than 1 year, but less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

08

If selected experience in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. If no experience, type "NA".

09

In which formats have you provided direct client service in order to resolve immediate client needs?

• By phone
• In person (by appointment)
• In person (drop in)
• None of the above

10

If selected experience in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. If no experience, type "NA".

11

Do you have work related experience managing accounts and/or information such as a client case load in an electronic data base, (other than an e-mail system), that represented at least 50% of your job?

• Yes
• No

12

Choose which of the following best describes your computer experience on the statewide MAXIS computer software:

• I have no experience using MAXIS software.
• I have had some training or practice using MAXIS software.
• I use/have used MAXIS software as a regular part of my job.

13

Do you have work related experience with an electronic document management system?

• I have no experience.
• I have minimal experience.
• I work/have worked with an EDMS as a regular part of a current/previous job. I work/have worked with an EDMS as a regular part of a current/previous job. I work/have worked with an EDMS as a regular part of a current/previous job.

14

Do you have work related experience with the OnBase system?

• I do not have experience working with the OnBase system.
• I have minimal experience working with the OnBase system.
• I work/have worked with OnBase as a regular part of my job.

15

In which of the following areas do you have paid work experience determining eligibility?

• Economic assistance programs (i. e.: MFIP/GA, SNAP and/or Emergency Assistance)
• Energy Assistance/WIC
• Finance programs administered by hospitals, clinics or charitable organizations
• Insurance (health, property, life, etc)
• Loans/financing
• Medical Assistance, MnSure and/or MCRE
• None

16

If selected experience determining eligibility for each program in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. If no experience, type "NA".

17

Which best describes your experience as a Financial Worker or Eligibility Specialist in a state or county Human Services department (include unpaid experience, including internships).

• I have no experience
• Less than 1 year experience
• 1 or more years of experience, but less than 3 years of experience
• 3 or more years of experience

18

If selected experience in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. If no experience, type "NA".

19

Are you fluent in other languages?

• Yes
• No

20

Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the USDVA verifying active duty disability. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veterans DD214 and a letter from the USDVA verifying the veterans disability or death certificate. Veterans applying for promotional exams may only claim veterans preference points if they have a service connected disability of 50% or more. The five points preference is only available when applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. All required documents must be received no later than the closing deadline for accepting your application. Are you applying for Veterans Preference points?

• No
• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge - see MN Statute 197.447
• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connect disability of 10% or more
• Yes - Spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability of 10% or more (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties)
• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more days, received an honorable discharge, had a service connected disability of 10% or more and was disabled at the time of death. You are ineligible if you have remarried or were divorced from the veteran.
• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran. You are ineligible if you have remarried.
• Yes - Current employee with a 50% or more service connected disability rating applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County.

21

I understand that any falsified information, omissions of important facts, or misrepresentation of my job education or experience on either the application or during my interview may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may be considered justification for dismissal, if hired.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Wright County

Address 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Suite 3200

Buffalo, Minnesota, 55313

Phone 763-682-7378

Website http://www.wrightcountymn.gov