Eligibility Specialist (Two Positions)

Eligibility Specialist (Two Positions)

Salary

$61,588.80 - $86,278.40 Annually

Location

Government Center, 410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00067

Department

Human Services

Division

Financial Assistance

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

8/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

Under direct supervision of the Financial Assistance Supervisor, the Eligibility Specialist administers public assistance programs that support the basic needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. This position determines eligibility through client interviews and evaluation of financial and household information; explains program requirements; maintains accurate case records; and coordinates services with internal and external partners. The Eligibility Specialist also supports employment services activities, addresses potential fraud, coordinates administrative appeals, and participates in ongoing professional development.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Determines eligibility for public assistance programs in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines. Conducts interviews and gathers required documentation. Reviews financial, household, and personal information to assess eligibility and benefit levels. Authorizes services and connects clients to appropriate resources. Maintains accurate and complete case records.
• Administers multiple public assistance programs using applicable systems and policies. Interprets and applies complex regulations. Explains program requirements, rights, and responsibilities to clients. Prioritizes workload to meet deadlines and compliance standards. Documents case activity in accordance with state requirements.
• Monitors and updates eligibility and benefits based on reported changes. Verifies information and ensures compliance with program rules. Coordinates services across programs and departments. Communicates requirements and timelines to clients. Provides consultation to staff on complex cases and supports service coordination with internal and external partners. Completes mandated reporting as required.
• Develops and coordinates employment services activities. Supports employment-related program requirements. Assesses client readiness for employment and identifies barriers. Coordinates with employment services staff and monitors participation. Explains program expectations, time limits, and consequences for non-compliance, including sanctions when applicable.
• Analyzes and addresses allegations of fraud. Identifies discrepancies and potential fraud through case review and verification processes. Calculates and establishes overpayments and applies program disqualifications as appropriate. Refers cases to the appropriate investigative unit and implements findings. Assist the County Attorney with case preparation.
• Coordinates administrative appeals of agency actions. Responds to client appeals by explaining rights and processes. Prepares documentation and represents the agency in administrative hearings. Implements decisions in compliance with hearing outcomes.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with internal staff, community organizations, and partner agencies. Provides information, responds to inquiries, and participates in outreach and public engagement. Advocates for client access to services and supports coordinated service delivery.
• Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public.
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration.
• Trains and mentors new staff as requested.
• Adheres to data privacy and HIPPA guidelines.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED; and
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in any of the following areas social services, financial tracking, program eligibility, office management, and working with benefits or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of two (2) years of post-secondary education
• Experience working with MAXIS, PRISM, MEC2 and Minnesota Healthcare computer programs
• Experience with interviewing practices and techniques
• Experience interpreting, explaining programs and determining eligibility for programs
• Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must possess a valid drivers license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data must be limited to what is necessary to perform job duties. Employees must take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure secure storage of data in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

HOURS OF WORK

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Night, weekend, holiday, and overtime hours may be necessary to meet departmental needs, special projects, and service needs and demands of the community served.

Benefits Overview

AFSCME, No. 65 - Courthouse & Human Services

The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, competitive total compensation package. The Countys benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire.

The following outlines County offered total compensation benefits. This document provides an overview and does not offer all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents and/or collective bargaining agreements, the plan documents will prevail.

Regular, Full-Time Employee

Wage/Salary Scale

Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. Our advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. A selected candidate will typically be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position.

Vacation Leave

Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts are detailed in the collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook.

Blue Earth County Years of Service Bi-Weekly Accrual Rate

0 - 5 years - 3.85 hours

6 - 9 years - 4.77 hours

10 - 13 years - 5.69 hours

14 - 18 years - 6.62 hours

19 - 24 years - 7.54 hours

25 + years - 8.46 hours

Sick Leave

Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 7.34 hours for each full month of service.

Paid Holidays

Blue Earth County recognizes 11 (88 hours) paid holidays, and employees receive one floating holiday per year.

Health Insurance

Employees may choose from 3-health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Insurance Rates (Monthly) - Effective: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Plan 1: CMM $0 Deductible

Employee: Single - $157.63 / Family - $1,389.71

Employer: Single - $1,418.63 / Family - $3,242.66

Total Cost: Single - $1,576.26/ Family - $4,632.37

Plan 2: CMM $300 Deductible

Employee: Single - $1.18/ Family - $929.98

Employer: Single - $1,418.64 / Family - $3,242.66

Total Cost: Single - $1,419.82 / Family - $4,172.64

Plan 3: HDHP with HSA

Employee: Single - $0.00 / Family - $488.78

Employer: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $2,769.74

Total Cost: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $3,258.52

Blue Earth County contributes to a health savings account (HSA) when the employee elects the HDHP. Single coverage HSA contributions equal $1,700, and family coverage HSA contributions equal $3,400.

Life Insurance

Employees are provided with Term-Life Insurance at no cost to them:

• $20,000 term-life/$20,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• After ten (10) years of continuous employment with Blue Earth County, the policy will increase to $35,000 term-life/$35,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

Retirement

The County and the employee contribute to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) based on a percentage of the employee wage:

General/Coordinated Plan

Employee: 6.5%

Employer: 7.5%

Voluntary Benefits Available

• AFLAC
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Nice Healthcare
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Voluntary Life (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren))
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Roth IRA
• 529 Educational Roth
• Minnesota Benefits Association (MBA)
• Savi Student Loan Benefit

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Completed 1 year of post secondary education
• Associates Degree
• Completed 2 years of post secondary education
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters or higher
• None of the Above

03

Indicate which of the following areas you have a minimum of three (3) years work experience. Please select all that apply.

• Social Services
• Financial Tracking
• Program Eligibility
• Office Management
• Working with benefits
• Related Field
• None of the above

04

Describe your work experience listed above. If you do not have the experience, please type N/A.

05

Which of the following best describes your years of employment experience in a county/state human services setting?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years, but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years, but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years, but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years, but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years, but less than 8 years
• More than 8 years, but less than 9 years
• More than 9 years, but less than 10 years
• 10 or more years

06

Select the following type of experience you have had in any of the following areas. Please select all that apply.

• Working as a financial aid officer
• Working as a loan officer
• Working as a social security claims representative
• Working as a Certified MNSure Navigator, Assistor, or Counselor
• Working as an employment counselor
• Referring clients to various community resources
• Collaborating with other organizations or committees
• Working with nonprofit agencies providing services to individuals in need, such as but not limited to: Salvation Army, employment services, group homes, etc.
• None of the above

07

Which of the following best describes the percentage of your time that has been spent at work conducting interviews and gathering information?

• Less than 20% of my overall time.
• More than 20%, but less than 40% of my overall time.
• More than 40%, but less than 75% of my overall time.
• More than 75% of my overall time.
• N/A - I do not have experience conducting interviews and gathering information.

08

Effectively serving our clients has become very dependent on the employees ability to deal with individuals in a crisis. From your previous work experience, please indicate your ability to effectively interact with individuals in a crisis.

• 0-25%
• 26-50%
• 51-75%
• 76-100%
• N/A - I do not have experience working with people in crisis

09

Please list the languages other, than English, that you are able to understand and speak. Please select all that apply.

• Spanish
• Somali
• Chinese
• Sudanese
• Ababic
• Other
• None of the above - I do not speak or understand any languages other than English

10

Please indicate the following software/systems that you are PROFIFIENT in using. Please select all that apply.

• Microsoft Office Word
• Microsoft Office Outlook
• MAXIS
• MNSURE
• MMIS
• PRISM
• None of the above

11

Describe how your background and experience align with the duties and responsibilities of this position.

12

Why are you interested in this position with Blue Earth County?

13

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Describe any other special training youve completed or skills and experience you currently possess that you feel would make you the best-qualified person for this position.

14

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and education records, identification verification, drivers license record and a criminal history?

• Yes
• No

15

Do you possess a valid driver's license with the ability to drive in the State of Minnesota?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Blue Earth County

Address PO Box 168

204 South Fifth Street

Mankato, Minnesota, 56001

Phone 507-304-4374

507-304-4061

Website http://www.blueearthcountymn.gov