Public Benefits Specialist – Entry | Bilingual English​/Russian

Position Title

Public Benefits Specialist – Entry | Bilingual Preferred English/Russian

03/03/2026

03/10/2026

Department of Human Services

$3,798 - $4,954

Employee

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our 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.

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. If interested in using your bilingual language skills, upon passing the test, you will receive 5% bilingual differential pay.

Step into a role where your efforts directly empower Oregonians to rise above poverty—become a key player in the Oregon Eligibility Partnership and facilitate access to vital services that foster equity and well-being.

As a Public Benefits Specialist - Entry, you will work in our East Branch - Portland office on NE Glisan Street assisting Oregonians in-person.

• Be the first face of contact in most field offices for Oregonians and provide a welcoming environment for families to interact with the department.
• Support the infrastructure of the office by supporting the day-to-day operation.
• Assist Oregonians by providing support in person, over the phone and through email to resolve any questions or concerns with the online Oregon Eligibility system, for ODHS, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs.
• Assisting Oregonians through a trauma informed lens.
• Financial duties that include tracking, issuing, and accounting for all financial actions and requirements needed.
• Providing support for the business functions within the office.

Learn more about our programs, as your work providing services will be through the Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP).

• 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 class concept.

• Experience providing front-line customer service serving a diverse clientele.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting customers facing financial or emotional hardship with professionalism, empathy, and compassion.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt communication styles to effectively convey complex rules, regulations, and procedures to diverse audiences.
• Skilled in handling, collecting, and safeguarding confidential and sensitive information.
• Experienced in accurately entering and verifying detailed data with a strong focus on precision and quality control.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting customers facing financial or emotional hardship with professionalism, empathy, and compassion.

Preference will be given to candidates that are bilingual in Russian and English.

Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range.
  
  Note:
  
  Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

• Work schedule is a traditional work week, Monday-Friday.
• Experience constant contact with the public, including contact with and possibly…