Self-Reliance Specialist - WEL

21.42 - 21.42 USD per hour

Posted a week ago | Apply before July 9, 2026

DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF IDAHOANS

* THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED.*

The Division of Welfare is currently recruiting for full‑time permanent positions with benefits (Self‑Reliance Specialists) to work in our Caldwell field office. These positions work in high‑volume, fast‑paced environments to assist customers for various benefits and services while meeting accuracy and productivity standards. While these positions work with families to help them find self‑reliance, this is not a social work position and does not include long‑term case management.

Though the position involves some face‑to‑face services, the majority of work is done via phone.

The Self‑Reliance Benefits program works with families who are applying for or receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Health Care Assistance Programs, Idaho Child Care Program, and/or cash assistance programs. Direct customer service may be conducted face‑to‑face or by telephone and is dependent upon the unit of the vacancy being filled.

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 will be required to pass a pre‑employment drug test.

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre‑tax (full‑time/30+ hours per week)
• Two voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre‑tax and Roth options
• Deferred compensation plan
• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• Short and long‑term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Wide variety of training opportunities
• Some positions offer flexible hours and/or telecommuting
• Additional perks and discounts available through medical provider
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• Employee assistance program

• Review and determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, cash assistance, Child Care Program, and Health Care Assistance Programs.
• Apply complex policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Provide direct customer service either face‑to‑face or via telephone and/or mail.

• Requires personal interaction (face‑to‑face and/or telephone, mail, or email) with customers and related agencies/individuals when intimate household circumstances are being addressed.
• Requires skillful de‑escalation when working with customers in high‑stress, upsetting situations.

• Gather, verify, interpret, and act on personal information from various sources to support case actions.
• Develop, adapt, and maintain management systems to support workload activities and meet federally mandated outcome/reporting requirements.
• Perform complicated analytical problem resolution and ensure data quality in automated system processing.

You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Failure to do so 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. Usually gained by at least six months of experience or completion of some college courses in a human services field. Qualifying experience could include credit collection, law enforcement, financial institutions, or social service programs where detailed interviews were used to elicit information from customers that determined eligibility.
• Experience dealing with individuals in stressful situations from varying cultural/socioeconomic…