Human Service Specialist

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Have you always wanted to be part of a collaborative, dynamic and diverse team? If you are looking for an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of new career, making a difference in people’s lives and have a strong desire to help others, the position below may be for you. If interested, apply today!

The Office of Self Sufficiency, which is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, is looking for talented individuals to serve as a Benefit and Eligibility Worker . In this role you will explain and interview applicants and recipients to determine eligibility requirements for agency programs and resources. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members. The strength of our agency lies in the diversity of our workforce and the perspectives our employees bring to their work at ODHS.

At the Oregon Department of Human Services, our Agency Mission is "To help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.” We value a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We stand by our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization, and recognize and celebrate our unique backgrounds and diverse experiences.

We are committed to action for anti-racism and racial equity to build and sustain an agency that truly carries itself with the core values of integrity, stewardship, responsibility, respect, professionalism, innovation, and service equity.

We are seeking a leader who fosters environments and teams where we all feel safe, valued, supported, strengthened, and engaged in our personal growth and the agency’s growth. “RiSE” is what we call our culture and has six elements:

• Safety and well-being.
• Caring and supportive relationships.
• High expectations and accountability.
• Equitable Treatment and Belonging.
• Meaningful participation; and,
• Community engagement.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The goal of the Self-Sufficiency Program is to help families address barriers, and gain skills and access to employment opportunities to become self-sufficient. TANF is a collection of programs directed at improving the lives of very low-income Oregon families with children. Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING

• Determines initial eligibility for Medicaid , APD Financial Eligibility, TANF, Domestic Violence services, SNAP, Medical and Employment Related Day Care applicants and / customers by:
• Interview applicants in person, by phone, by email to gather information needed to assess and determine if there is a need for services and benefits.
• Assessing client family strengths and needs, connecting families to other resources and programs.
• You will update narrative report summarizing new information from client and collateral sources, findings of home visit, and conclusions.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is conducted in offices and other program sites.
• Work can require travel, including overnight.
• Limited physical exertion.
• May require sitting at a terminal or telephone for prolonged periods of the workday.
• May require a valid driver’s license or other acceptable method of transportation.
• May interact with clients who are under emotional or financial stress.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU

When you join the Department of Human Services, you join a community of nearly 10,000 employees dedicated to Oregon’s most vulnerable population. Career growth and development is encouraged through ample training and committee participation opportunities. The State of Oregon offers excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance , generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan . Come live, work, and play in Oregon .

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO QUALIFY

• Two years of experience determining eligibility for an agency program by interviewing to assess the needs of clients, and interpreting and applying the policies, rules, and guidelines that are applicable to the client's situation.
• Any college courses may be substituted for the two years of general experience on a year-for-year basis (45 quarter hours is equivalent to one year of experience.

• The State of Oregon is requiring all executive branch employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series by October 18, 2021 unless the employee receives a medical or religious exemption/accommodation. New employees must submit vaccination documentation or be approved for an exemption/accommodation by October 18, 2021. For more information, visit https://www.oregon.gov/das/HR/Documents/50.000.03-COVID-19-Vaccination-Requirements.pdf .

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Determining Eligibility: Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services.
• Team-Oriented : Ability to work well and thrive in a team environment
• Explain Laws, Rules, & Policies: Ability to learn and articulate complex laws, rules, and policies in a customer-focused manner, to a non-technical audience.
• Managing high volume of work : Ability to complete tasks, duties, projects, and obligations with deadlines, that produce high-quality results.
• Accuracy and Attention to detail: Ensuring you have a complete understanding of the task you're working on.
• Customer Focus: Ability to professionally interact with a high volume of diverse customers communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services that exceeds the customers’ expectations.
• Verbal communication: The ability to engage with individuals.
• Active listening: The ability to understanding individuals’ needs and demonstrating compassion.
• Written communication: Ability to communicate via email, mail, written document, reports, presentation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Successful candidates for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

HOW TO APPLY

Current State of Oregon employees, apply through your employee Workday profile. View this job aid for help.

Click on the “Apply” button and complete your application. View this video for help.

After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the public records request (PRR) authorization and gender identity question. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

If you are a veteran wishing to have veterans’ preference, your will receive a task in your workday account to provide military documents if you have not already provided them. For privacy reasons , please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.
• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact brent.lawrence@dhsoha.state.or.us Please be sure to include the job requisition number.
• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact our ADA Office at DHS.RECRUITMENT@dhsoha.state.or.us .

DHS commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.