Experienced Financial Assistance Specialist II (FAS II)

Experienced Financial Assistance Specialist II (FAS II)

Salary

$58,606.00 - $91,571.00 Annually

Location

West St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

33060.26.005

Department

Employment & Economic Assistance

Opening Date

09/04/2026

Closing Date

9/18/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance

HOURS: Full-Time (40 hours per week).

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $58,606 - $73,257 annually

FULL SALARY RANGE: $58,606 - $91,571 annually (Grade 106)

LOCATION: West St. Paul

UNION: AFSCME 306

CLOSE DATE: 4:30PM on September 18, 2026

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

What you will do:

In this position, you will evaluate Dakota County residents basic needs, health and well-being are met by assessing clients economic, social, and health-related issues in order to accurately determine public assistance eligibility for Medicaid/Medical Assistance, SNAP, MFIP, GA/MSA, Child Care, or an Emergency Program. We have several positions for this posting. Please apply if you have experience in any program area.

This position is for someone who enjoys working with people and on computers, plus has an interest in helping individuals or families in times of financial crisis. Financial Assistance Specialists are often the first line of defense against poverty. We use in depth analysis of information received from internal and external customers, and multiple data sources. This career requires attention to detail, quality customer service and strong interpersonal communication skills.

Examples of Some Work Performed in this Position

• Determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs, complete interviews, and review and verify information received from multiple sources.
• Review household information periodically to ensure accurate ongoing eligibility.
• Communicate program rules and requirements, benefit levels, expectations, and timelines to customers.
• Calculate benefit amounts per county, state, and federal program guidelines.
• Data entry into multiple state and county computer systems.
• Provide case management on individual or team caseload.

Click here for information from our staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution.

OR

• Associates degree in Public Financial Worker Program AND two years experience working with the public.

OR

• Associates degree OR completion of at least 90 quarter credits AND two years experience working with the public.

OR

• High School graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.) AND four or more years experience in a closely related position such as: Public Financial Worker, Child Support Specialist, or Program Associate/Case Aid.

AND

• Proficient at keyboard skills including typing at least 35 WPM.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs in Minnesota

To be eligible for hire, an applicant must successfully complete a background check

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Interview Dakota County residents to assess their needs, gather information, and determine what governmental or community resources can meet those needs.
• Counsel and advise residents on viable life options and promote self-sufficiency. Assess clients ability to become self-sufficient by identifying clients strengths and weaknesses.
• Determine clients economic, social, and health-related issues. Provide services by assessing and determining financial assistance program eligibility.
• Coordinate services by collaborating with staff and external service providers.
• Reassess clients needs and eligibility criteria to determine continued program eligibility and ensure their well-being as required or needed.
• Represent the agency in legal settings and interview clients and their legal representatives.
• Represent the agency in internal and external work groups and advisory committees, document and prepare presentations.
• Provide training on programs, work methods, and procedures to other agency staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Comprehensive knowledge of computer software and information systems.
• Knowledge of investigative interviewing techniques including de-escalation approaches.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of psychology, mental and physical illness, developmental disabilities, adult, and child protection criteria.
• Knowledge of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationship to public assistance program eligibility.
• Must possess a high level of analytical skills.
• Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, department, and County associates in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions.
• Ability to prioritize work according to client and agency needs.
• Ability to assess a persons social, economic, emotional, and health needs.

Work Environment: Work is hybrid performed in mostly a remote environment after initial training. There will be times that require work within a County office building or designated off-site location such as but not limited to minimum monthly in-office presence, team meetings, gathering necessary work equipment, completing required trainings or forms for employment. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to laptop, printer, calculator, and telephone.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background check

Visit our Benefits site for more information.

01

Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

02

Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you have reviewed, understand and possess the minimum qualifications for this position.

03

Please select the highest level of education COMPLETED/Degree held. (Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment)

• Masters Degree or higher
• Bachelors Degree
• Associates degree
• High School graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• None of the above

04

How many years of experience do you have working with the public? This should be clearly stated on your application.

• 4 + years
• 3 years
• 2 years
• 1 year
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

05

Are you able to type at least 35 words per minute?

• Yes
• No

06

Which statement best describes your experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs in Minnesota? Your answer must be supported by the work history included in your application.

• I currently determine eligibility for Minnesota public assistance programs and have at least 24 months of experience
• I last performed Minnesota public assistance eligibility work within the past 6 months and have at least 24 months of prior experience
• I have at least 24 months of Minnesota public assistance eligibility experience, but I last performed this work more than 6 months ago
• I have less than 24 months of Minnesota public assistance eligibility experience
• I do not have experience determining eligibility for Minnesota public assistance programs

07

Which statement best describes the scope of your most recent Financial Worker/Eligibility Worker position? Select the response that most accurately reflects your experience. Your answer must be supported by the work history included in your application

• I independently managed a full public assistance caseload, including applications, renewals, reported changes, ongoing maintenance, eligibility determinations, documentation, and client contact
• I independently managed a specialized or shared public assistance caseload and completed multiple types of eligibility actions with minimal supervisory or technical assistance
• I independently completed a specific category of eligibility work, such as applications, renewals, changes, or ongoing maintenance, but did not manage a full or shared caseload
• I supported eligibility work, but my determinations regularly required review, approval, or assistance from another worker
• I have not independently performed public assistance eligibility work

08

How many total years of work experience do you have independently determining eligibility for public assistance programs in Minnesota? This experience must be clearly documented in your application.

• 5 or more years
• 4 years
• 3 years
• 2 years
• 1 year
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

09

For which Minnesota public assistance programs have you independently determined eligibility? Select all that apply. Your selections must be supported by the work history included in your application.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• General Assistance (GA)
• Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
• Emergency Assistance (EA)
• Emergency General Assistance (EGA)
• Medical Assistance using MAXIS
• Medical Assistance using METS
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• Housing Support
• Other Minnesota public assistance program
• No eligibility-determination experience

10

Which of the following duties have you independently performed as a Financial Worker/Eligibility Worker? Select all that apply. Your selections must be supported by the work history included in your application.

• Reviewed applications and renewals for completeness
• Conducted applicant or participant interviews
• Requested and evaluated required verifications
• Applied Minnesota public assistance policy to determine eligibility
• Calculated income, deductions, assets, and benefit amounts
• Entered and processed eligibility information in MAXIS
• Approved or authorized eligibility results
• Processed initial applications
• Processed renewals, reported changes, and ongoing case maintenance
• Determined eligibility for expedited or emergency benefits
• Documented case actions and eligibility decisions
• Reviewed and resolved system alerts, discrepancies, pending work, or case-processing errors
• Explained eligibility decisions and notices to clients
• None of the above

11

The full salary range for this position is $58,606 - $91,571 and preferred hiring range is $58,606 - $73,257 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates' overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package.

Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary youd accept if selected for the position?

12

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

13

If you selected "other" above, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question

Employer Dakota County

Address Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone 651.438.4435

Website http://dakotacountymn.gov