Public Benefits Specialist, Entry | Bilingual English​/not required

Initial Posting Date: 01/12/2026

Final date to receive applications: 01/19/2026

Agency:
Department of Human Services

Salary Range: $3,705 - $4,833

Position Type:
Employee

Position Title:

Public Benefits Specialist, Entry | Bilingual English/Spanish preferred - not required

Note:
This position will receive a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which is not reflected in the salary listed in this posting. The increase will be effective February 1, 2026, and will be reflected in paychecks beginning March 1, 2026.

Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! Join a mission that matters! As a Public Benefits Specialist, Entry, you will help Oregon’s older adults, people with disabilities, and their families access innovative, person-centered services and supports that uphold dignity, promote independence, and respect cultural preferences. Your work will make a direct impact—ensuring individuals receive the assistance they need to thrive in the communities they choose at every stage of life.

Be part of a team dedicated to safety, well-being, and honoring choice!

Aging and People with Disabilities:
Our vision is that Oregon’s older adults, people with disabilities and their families experience person-centered services, supports and early interventions that are innovative and help maintain independence, promote safety and well-being, honor choice, respect cultural preferences and uphold dignity. The services provided help people access the supports they need to live their best lives — in the communities they choose and at every stage of life.

We are seeking a committed and detail-oriented Public Benefits Specialist, Entry | Bilingual English/Spanish preferred - not required to join our dynamic Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) team in Canby.

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred:

• You do not need to be bilingual to apply or be considered for this position. If you are bilingual, we encourage you to apply! We serve diverse communities and recognize the importance of serving people in their preferred language.

Together, we can create lasting change!

• Your primary role will encompass calling case managed clients and scheduling them for appointments to renew their benefits.
• Assist with front desk reception tasks, managing both telephone and walk-in inquiries.
• Answer incoming calls, assess the nature of the inquiry, and provide accurate information.
• Direct calls to appropriate staff members or forward them to voicemail when unavailable.
• Greet visitors upon arrival, assess the purpose of their visit, and guide them to the appropriate staff member or program area.
• Screen and direct walk-in clients and callers for referral to external community services and resources, including local, state, and federal agencies.
• Utilize agency referral forms and apply effective communication skills to assess client needs.
• Provide clerical support services to case managers and eligibility workers including filing client information, packaging and labeling case files, data entry and retrieving information about clients for staff.

• Two years of experience working in a reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service. This experience must have involved a high volume of work (e.g., data entry, assuring information on applications is complete and accurate, completing necessary documents, etc.) OR
• An associate degree in a Behavioral Science, Social Science or a closely related field AND six months of experience working in a busy reception area or call center either interviewing to obtain information or providing customer service OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience relative to the…