Lead Eligibility Specialist

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.

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 mentor for the financial assistance unit.

• A. Attend training as needed.
• B. Perform miscellaneous duties when the supervisor is not available.
• C. Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

• A. High School diploma or equivalent GED; and
• B. Three (3) years of relevant experience; and
• C. Three (3) years of experience in Human Services financial assistance programs or related area; and
• D. Two (2) years’ experience in a leadership capacity role; and
• E. Maintain safety, data privacy, and data security training; and
• F. Strong skill set in multiple financial assistance programs including SNAP, Health Care, and others (Must be considered to have expert knowledge of financial assistance programs including SNAP, Health Care and at least one other core financial assistance program); or
• G. Equivalent combination of at least eight(8) years of education/training/experience.
• H. Must possess a valid driver’s…