Salary: $22.22 - $28.15 Hourly Location : Long Prairie, MN Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 395D Department: Health and Human Services Division: Income Maintenance Opening Date: 07/23/2024 Purpose of PositionThis posting will remain open until filled. Please Note: In-house training will be required. A work from home arrangement will not be available for this position. Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs and services; establishes initial and on-going eligibility for multiple income maintenance programs; communicates program requirements and assists program participants in understanding how to maintain eligibility; supports program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and in addressing barriers to self-sufficiency; provides education, enrollment and assistance to managed health care enrollees; makes appropriate referrals to other community resources; and performs related work as assigned. Basic Performance Expectations of all Todd County Staff
- Serves as a positive example to other County personnel with regard to workplace actions, decisions, work skills, attitude and adherence to workplace policy and procedures.
- Has strong communication and interpersonal skills, is honest, fair and dependable.
- Embodies teamwork and cooperation within and across County departments and with the public.
- Communicates effectively with the Department Head and keeps supervisor apprised of important matters ongoing in the department.
- Respect all colleagues, co-workers, board members and the public and lead those around you to do the same.
- This position requires regular and timely attendance in accordance with the department schedule.
- Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.
Position Specific Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be constructed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required as assigned. 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.
- Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
- Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
- Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
- Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
- Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self-sufficiency.
- Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.
- Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
- Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
- Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
- Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
- Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance.
- Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights.
- Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
- Assists law enforcement and the county attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution and provides testimony in court.
- Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate.
- Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
- Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.
- Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.
Minimum Education and Experience/Special Requirements High school diploma or GED and 2 years human services administrative experience; or related Associates Degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess and maintain a valid MN Driver's License. Must pass a criminal background check. Preferred Qualifications Bilingual (English/Spanish) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of diverse immigration status to determine benefit eligibility for non-citizens.
- Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment and software programs.
- Knowledge of multiple complex computer systems.
- Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews.
- Knowledge of the income maintenance program rules, regulations, benefits and methods of determining eligibility.
- Knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, reemployment insurance, veterans benefits, worker's compensation, and disability insurance/pension programs.
- Knowledge of the basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illnesses.
- Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, social services and diversionary assistance programs.
- Knowledge of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationships to public assistance program eligibility.
- Knowledge of human behavior.
- Skill in communicating, in written and verbal form, with a culturally diverse clientele.
- Skill completing data entry and keyboarding tasks.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration.
- Ability to effectively explain income maintenance programs and procedures to recipients who are distraught.
- Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial crises.
- Ability to organize work, set priorities, make decisions and work independently under stress.
- Ability to be objective/non-judgmental and refrain from expressing personal opinions regarding client life circumstances.
- Ability to accurately and rapidly process detailed information.
- Ability to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to interpret legal documents, complex rules, manual materials and bulletins as they apply to income maintenance programs.
Physical Requirements This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, 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; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines 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). 2024 Todd County Summary of Benefits The following is intended to be a general overview of benefits provided for full-time positions. County contributions to health insurance may differ by collective bargaining agreement, please refer to your union contract. Group Health Insurance benefits become effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Further details and a complete copy of the applicable contract/policy are available at the time an employment offer is extended. If you have questions about benefits, please contact the Administration Department at ...@co.todd.mn.us. Health Insurance offered by Health Partners and Sourcewell Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from. The rates shown are effective 1/1/2024. 2024 HSA Maximum Contributions: Single $4,150 /Family $8,300, Catch-up contributions $1,000. Plan $1,600/$3,200 High Deductible - 100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month Single $918.89 / $0.00 / $125.00 Employee + Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $411.50/ $125.00 Employee +Spouse $1,500.00 / $638.14 / $125.00 Family $1,650.00 / $815.48 / $125.00 Plan $4,150/$8,300 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month Single $789.90/ $0.00 / $165.00 Employee + Child(ren) $1,225.00 / $181.78 / $125.00 Employee + Spouse $1,500.00 / $338.00 / $125.00 Family $1,650.00 / $469.39/ $125.00 Plan $8,050/$16,100 High Deductible -100% & Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution per Month / Employee Cost per Month / HSA Employer Contribution per Month Single $644.27/ $0.00 / $165.00 Employee + Child(ren) $1,147.40 / $0 / $125.00 Employee + Spouse $1,499.12 / $0 / $125.00 Family $1,650.00 / $78.63 / $125.00 Dental Insurance offered by Health Partners Monthly Cost Employee $38.05 Employee+1 $76.09 Family $114.15 Vision Insurance offered by Avesis Monthly Cost Employee $6.03 Employee+1 $10.53 Family $15.64 Flexible Spending Accounts offered by Select Account Plan options include medical reimbursement and dependent day care FSAs as well as pre-tax deductions of medical and dental insurance premiums. Actual cost of pre-tax deductions is an average of 27% - 39% depending you're your bracket. Life Insurance offered by Lincoln Financial Term life offered at no cost for $20,000 basic life/ADD insurance coverage. Rates for voluntary additional coverage for employee or spouse vary according to age category: Age of Employee Your Monthly Cost or Spouse per $1,000 Under age 25 $.057 25 - 29 $.057 30 - 34 $.057 35 - 39 $.095 40 - 44 $.114 45 - 49 $.162 50 - 54 $.238 55 - 59 $.428 60 - 64 $.646 65 - 69 $1.226 70 - 74 $1.976 Child Life: $1.30 per month $15,000 PERA Term Life Voluntary supplemental decreasing term life offered by the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota that may be continued into retirement, $16.00. See for additional information. Short Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial Protect your income for the 1st three (3) months of disability. Rates vary by age category and you select your level of coverage from weekly benefits of $100 - $2,000 in $100 increments, not to exceed 60% of weekly gross earnings. Long Term Disability offered by Lincoln Financial Protect your income beginning the 4th month of a disability and benefits are payable for injury, sickness or pregnancy up to your normal retirement age, as defined by Social Security. You may elect any level of coverage, in increments of $100 between $500 and $5,000 per month, provided you don't insure more than 60% of your monthly income. Deferred Compensation Pre-tax 457(b) and post-tax IRA programs available. PERA Pension Plan Public Employers Retirement Association (PERA); the following contributions are mandated by state law: Coordinated Detention Officers Law Enforcement County Contribution: 7.50% 8.75% 17.70% Employee Contribution: 6.50% 5.83% 11.80% PERA handbooks are available at Minnesota State Retirement Systems (MSRS) Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) A post retirement health care savings plan is an employer sponsored program that allows employees to save money to pay medical expenses and/or health insurance premiums after termination of public service. Group Voluntary Plans Available through Cigna * Accident Insurance * Critical Illness Insurance * Hospital Indemnity Insurance Full details available at the time of hire. Paid Vacation Employees earn vacation as follows: Hours earned Years of Service Per month 1 thru 3 8 4 thru 5 10 6 thru 10 12 11 thru l5 14 16 thru 20 17 21 thru 24 18 25+ 19 See applicable union labor agreement for vacation schedule, some accrue per pay period. Employees may carry over up to 192 hours of available vacation per year. Paid Sick Leave Employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month and may accrue up to 1040 hours (6 months) paid leave. Paid Holidays New Years Day President's Day Martin Luther King Day Good Friday Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday Christmas Day New Years Eve Day (4 hours) - unless holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday * See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated holidays. Funeral Leave Paid funeral leave of absence up to 40 hours. * See applicable union labor agreement for negotiated funeral leave. AFFINITY PLUS Credit Union Financial Services including competitive loan rates, VISA, Savings Clubs, bill payments, investments and other services. Fitness Room The Todd County Wellness Committee sponsors a fitness room available to County employees and their immediate family members. Minnesota Benefit Association Serving Minnesota makes you a member of the association, rewarding you with great services and savings, including: Student Scholarships, Life Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, etc. See pr 800.###.#### Verizon Wireless Discount As a benefit of your employment with Todd County, you may be eligible for a discount for Verizon Wireless service and equipment. go to for more information. 01 Do you have a High school diploma or GED?
02 Do you have 2 years human services administrative experience; or related Associates Degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience?
03 Do you have experience as an Eligibility Worker?
- Yes 5+ years experience
- Yes 3+ to 5 years experience
- Yes 2 to 3 years experience
- Yes under 2 years experience
- No
04 If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your previous experience. 05 Have you previously worked with public assistance programs such as Food Support, Cash Assistance, or Medical Assistance?
- Yes 5+ years experience
- Yes 3+ to 5 years experience
- Yes 2 to 3 years experience
- Yes under 2 years experience
- No experience
06 If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience. 07 Do you have prior experience interviewing clients?
- Yes 5+ years experience
- Yes 3+ to 5 years experience
- Yes 2 to 3 years experience
- Yes Under 2 years experience
- No experience
08 If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience. 09 Do you have job experience in any of these areas? (Check all that apply.)
- Accounting/Bookkeeping
- Medical Coding/Billing
- Insurance
- Banking
- Need-based assistance programs
- No Experience
10 If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience. 11 Do you have experience implementing or interpreting program policy?
12 If you answered yes to previous question, please explain your experience. 13 Are you Bilingual? (English/Spanish)
- Yes- Fluent
- Yes- Minimal
- No
14 Do you have a valid driver's license?
15 Can you perform all of the physical requirements of the position?
16 If you claimed Veteran's Preference above, do you have your DD214 to include as an attachment to this application?
- Yes- Qualified Disabled Veteran (10% or higher disability rating)
- Yes- Qualified Vet or Spouse of Deceased Vet
- No
Required Question