Human Services Eligibility Technician

Archuleta County is seeking qualified candidates for a temporary, part-time, Human Services Eligibility Technician. Our Eligibility Technician earns a competitive wage of $19.48 per hour.

ABOUT ARCHULETA COUNTY

Pagosa Springs is the county seat for Archuleta County and is located in the Colorado Sunbelt, just 35 miles north of the New Mexico border along the western slope of the Continental Divide. The combination of a high desert plateau and the Rocky Mountains to the north and east of town creates an unusually mild mountain climate. As a portal to the nearly 3 million acres of the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness Area, Archuleta County is a doorway to the four seasons of outdoor adventure which landed us in Outdoors Magazine's top 10 best Towns in American (2015) and Men's Journal's "20 Best Mountain Towns in America (2017).

In order to assemble and retain team members who share our core values of honesty, integrity, sound judgment, customer service, professionalism, and accountability, we work hard to be an employer of choice. We offer competitive pay, generous benefits, and a positive work culture.

The Eligibility Technician determines applicant/recipient initial and continuing eligibility for various public assistance programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Determines eligibility for various public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, AND, OAP, TANF, SSI, Baby Care Kids Care, Colorado Work Experience Program, and general assistance.
• Gathers, assembles, and reviews information supplied by applicants and recipients regarding financial and non-financial criteria relevant to the initial and continuing eligibility. Verifies information and informs applicant/recipient of relevant requirements and benefits of programs for which they may be eligible.
• Assesses client needs and determines financial eligibility according to program and eligibility rules and regulations. Assesses needs and makes referrals for other services and assistance within the department or in the community.
• Interprets rules, regulations, and policies governing eligibility determinations and keeps clients informed of changes on the laws or regulations that may affect them.
• Interfaces with the state computer systems to prepare and maintain client files, data, and reports required by the County and state.
• Re-determines eligibility as required by applicable programs.
• Conducts quality assurance review as required for all public and food assistance categories to assure completeness and accuracy and compliance with procedures, policy, and final decisions.
• Attends trainings required by the County and state related to public and food assistance categories.
• Ensures accuracy of applicant/recipient information and conducts eligibility determinations within established guidelines to meet all state and County goals and avoid sanctions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by course work in human or behavioral sciences or a related field.

Experience:

• Two to three years of experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities.

Licenses:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred.
• Valid State Driver's License

Knowledge of:

• Routine and state software and business applications, including but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
• Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to public and food assistance programs.
• Operation of standard office equipment including fax machines, copiers, and computers.
• County programs and services and community resources.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Provide professional customer service to clients and public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Accomplish the assigned workload in a timely manner and meet established state and County performance standards, objectives, and deadlines.
• Perform data entry, typing, and computer work at sufficient level of skill to accurately complete a relatively heavy workload in a timely manner.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• Computer(s) General Office Equipment Calculator Copy Machine
• Motor Vehicle(s) Camera Shredder Cell Phone
• Pagers Video Recorder Audio Recorder Printer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to have the ability to move to and from various points within the office. Travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation.
• Ability to work with hands above shoulder height or arms extended at shoulder height. The employee is required to use hand to finger, handle, grasp or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Requires repetitive movement's standard in office-related activities such as typing, and sitting and standing, talking in person and via telephone. This position is occasionally required to stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth deception and the ability to adjust focus. Requires full range of peripheral vision to monitor multiple computer systems.
• Requires full range of hearing to be able to communicate via the telephone, and in person, ability to hear and conduct routine conversation. Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to individuals or groups in an informational or instructional situation.
• Working time may require irregular hours and/or on-call status.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.

• Work is typically performed in a variety of environments including the office, client homes, community agencies and schools, and may involve potential exposure to hazardous and/or violent environments and/or clients. The incumbents working conditions are typically moderately quiet but may be loud at times.