Benefit Self-Reliance Specialist - WEL Posting Begin Date: 2025/01/22 Posting End Date: 2025/02/09 Category: Social Services Sub Category: Community and Social Services Work Type: Full Time Location: Idaho Falls, ID, United States Minimum Salary: 21.42 Maximum Salary: 21.42 Pay Rate Type: Hourly Description DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF IDAHOANS Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date. The Division of Welfare, is hiring for aSelf-Reliance Specialistin ourIdaho Falls Processing Center.This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm with holidays off. These service-oriented positions work taking inbound calls from customers throughout the state of Idaho who are seeking to apply or renew various benefits and services. While these positions work with families to help them find self-reliance, these are not social work positions and do not include long-term case management. The Self-Reliance Benefits program works with families who are applying for or are receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Health Care Assistance Programs, Idaho Child Care Program, and/or cash assistance programs. This position is not eligible for telework. The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare is a drug-free workplace.   Any applicant offered employment in this position at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test. BENEFITS: BEST RETIREMENT AVAILABLE IN THE NATION We have one of the Nation's best state retirement systems (https://www.persi.idaho.gov/members-1/) (PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit. OTHER EXCELLENT BENEFITS + 11 paid holidays + Generous vacation and sick leave accrual beginning as soon as you start + Paid parental leave (https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/) + Medical, dental, vision insurance - incredible rates! (full-time/30+ hours per week) + PERSI Choice 401(k) + Deferred compensation plan + Life insurance + Short and long-term disability insurance + Student Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) + Wellness programs + Employee Assistance Program (EAP) + Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) + Wide variety of training opportunities EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Service Delivery/Eligibility Decisions + Review and determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Child Care, cash assistance, and Health Care Assistance Programs. + Apply process, procedures and overarching policy to determine eligibility via fact finding conversations with customers. + Provide direct customer service either via telephone and/or mail. Interpersonal. + Requires personal interaction ( via telephone, mail, or email) with customers and related agencies/individuals when household circumstances are being addressed. + Requires communication skills such as effective listening, asking open ended questions, empathy and at time de-escalation. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALTY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You must possess all the minimum/specialty minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum and specialty qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position. It is highly recommended to attach a one-page cover letter to your application to demonstrate how you meet the requirements below. + Experience conducting and documenting sensitive fact-finding interviews. Typically gained by at least six months of experience OR completion of some college courses in a human services field. Types of qualifying experience could include a background in credit collection, law enforcement, financial institutions or social service programs/services where detailed interviews were used to elicit information from customers that was then used to determine the outcome or eligibility for services. This background may also have been obtained through upper division college-level courses in a human services field. Experience as a receptionist, basic sales associate/retail clerk, or any position at that level does not meet this qualification. + Experience dealing with individuals who are in stressful situations from varying cultural/socioeconomic backgrounds and de-escalating emotionally charged situations. Typically gained by least six months of experience in a business setting where I handled upset or angry customers. + Experience applying written policies and criteria and determining qualifications for services or benefits. Typically gained by at least six months of experience OR completion of some college courses in a human services field. Types of qualifying experience could include a background in finance, lending, law, or business. This background may also have been obtained through upper division college-level courses in a human services field. General data entry or reception work does not qualify. + Experience managing a workload with conflicting priorities. Typically gained by at least six months of experience managing a workload with conflicting priorities. + Experience entering and retrieving data using a computerized records system. Typically gained by at least six months of experience entering and retrieving data using a computerized record system. Below is preferred experience. It is not required for the position but applicants with this experience may receive consideration over other applicants. + Bi-lingual in English and Spanish.Typically gained by passing both a verbal and written test in both languages. Learn About a Career with DHW (https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/about-dhw/dhw-careers) ***PLEASE NOTE: application assistance is not available after the business hours listed below, on the weekends, or on holidays and you must apply before 4:59 pm on the closing date. When applying, use CHROME as your browser to avoid complications. If you have questions, please contact us at: Email is the quickest way to get an answer to your questions. (answered Monday through Friday during business hours MST) EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: (208) 334-0681 EEO/ADA/Veteran: The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected]. Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.