Lead Eligibility Specialist

Benton County is accepting applications for a full-time LEAD ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST position in the Financial Assistant Unit of the Human Services Department. The selected candidate will lead the Intake Service Specialist (ISS) team.

Take the next step in your career! This leadership opportunity is ideal for a candidate interested in supporting a team, sharing knowledge, and helping deliver essential financial assistance services to the community. The selected candidate will lead the Intake Service Specialist (ISS) team.

2026 Hiring Wage (Step
1): $27.05 per hour. Placement above Step 1 may be considered based on directly related qualifications and experience.

Career Progression Potential (Step 11): Up to $37.10 per hour.

Position Type: Full-time, AFSCME union represented.

Department: Human Services – Financial Unit.

Final date to receive applications: Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Application Review Begins: Friday, November 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the posting closes.

Tentative Interview Date: Friday, November 20, 2026. Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.

For more information about Benton County Human Services and the Financial Assistant Unit, visit Benton County Human Services Financial Assistance webpage.

Visit Benton County Career Opportunities to view the full job description and submit your application.

This position is responsible for acting as a lead worker for Financial Assistance Unit eligibility workers by providing training, mentoring, guidance, assigning, and reviewing work. The position is also responsible for maintaining and managing a caseload for financial assistance and health care programs and services.

• A. Provide training and guidance to Eligibility Specialists and Senior Eligibility Specialists for all financial assistance programs.
• B. Assign and review the work of Eligibility Specialists and provide work direction to the assigned program area.
• C. Assign work schedules and tasks.
• D. Maintain Client Complaint Resolution under the guidance of the Unit Supervisor.
• E. Interpret statutes and manual materials.
• F. Train new employees and continue training for experienced employees, which includes: (1) Administrative duties to the Financial Assistance Unit, (2) Customer service duties to the general public including phone calls and walk-ins, (3) Eligibility Specialist staff with multiple financial assistance programs, and (4) Eligibility Specialist staff with entering and assigning all applications for public assistance programs.
• G. Assist in the development and implementation of new procedures and changes within the unit.
• H. Maintain and oversee rotation of duties assigned to the phone bank.
• I. Develop statistical reports regarding caseload administration.
• J. Assist supervisor in employee performance evaluations.
• K. Complete case reviews to ensure quality services.
• L. Monitor Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) reports and ensure corrective action.
• M. Prepare county cases for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and providing testimony at the appeal hearing.
• N. Assist in appeal preparation and attend appeal hearings.
• O. Coordinate coverage of caseloads during staff absences.
• P. Maintain current knowledge of changing program rules and agency procedures.
• Q. Identify staff training needs.
• R. Participate in the hiring of staff.
• S. Create training curriculum.
• T. Serve as MAXIS…