Eligibility Specialist I Or Ii - Assistance Payments

POSITION SUMMARY

ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I:
Under direct supervision, applies rules, regulations, and procedures to determine eligibility for public assistance programs for families and/or adults in the Medicaid and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP also known as food assistance) program areas of the Department of Human Services.

ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST II:
Under minimal supervision, applies rules, regulations, and procedures to determine eligibility for public assistance programs for families and/or adults in the Medicaid and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP also known as food assistance) program areas of the Department of Human Services.

COMPENSATION:

• ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I: $19.31 - $28.96 Per Hour
• ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST II: $21.25 - $31.86 Per Hour

WHAT YOU WILL DO

ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I:

• Gathers, assembles, and reviews information from applicants and recipients regarding financial and non-financial criteria relevant to initial or continued eligibility. Establishes and maintains case files; prepares necessary documentation to initiate, continue, and modify public assistance; plans and organizes caseload to ensure that necessary work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Verifies information by direct contact, collateral contacts, phone contacts, and system interfaces. Interviews customers to obtain general case information and requests supporting documentation from customers as necessary. Enters and updates case/customer information within the automated computer system. Keeps customers informed of changes in laws or regulations that affect them.
• Informs applicants/recipients of the relevant requirements and benefits of the program for which they have eligibility; assists applicants with completing forms; secures documents; notifies applicants of appeal rights and procedures in response to notices generated by the computer under low independence. Approves/denies applicants based upon review of case information, in accordance with program rules and regulations under frequent case checks as performed by trainer, lead and/or manager.
• Complex data entry through multiple County and State computer systems requires detailed, specific program knowledge with low independence. Maintains inquiry-level access in multiple State and County computer systems for basic case information as necessary.
• Provides administrative support for assigned programs including, but not limited to, maintaining records, and verifying the accuracy of records.
• Partners with service providers and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
• Prepares documentation and cases for presentation in court hearings and serves as a representative at county and state evidentiary hearings or appeals; testifies as necessary.
• Determines the need for recovery of funds or referral for fraud investigation and completes reports to the proper investigative resource in cases of suspected fraud.
• Assists co-workers as necessary.
• Attend outreach events as needed.
• May be required to work mandatory overtime.
• May be required to work alternate schedules and in other Pueblo County locations.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

• Gathers, assembles, and reviews information from applicants and recipients regarding financial and non-financial criteria relevant to initial or continued eligibility. Establishes and maintains case files; prepares necessary documentation to initiate, continue, and modify public assistance; plans and organizes caseload to ensure that necessary work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Verifies information by direct contact, collateral contacts, phone contacts, and system interfaces. Enters and updates case/customer information within the automated computer system. Interviews customers to obtain general case information and requests supporting documentation from customers as necessary.
• Informs applicants/recipients of the relevant requirements and benefits of the program for which they have eligibility; assists applicants with completing forms; secures documents; notifies applicants of appeal rights and procedures in response to notices generated by the computer with moderate independence. Keeps customers informed of changes in laws or regulations that affect them. Approves/denies applicants based upon review of case information, in accordance with program rules and regulations under intermittent case checks as performed by lead and/or manager.
• Complex data entry through multiple County and State computer systems requiring detailed, specific program knowledge with moderate independence. Ability to pull social security numbers from the MainFrame processing system. Maintains inquiry-level access in multiple State and County computer systems for basic case information as necessary.
• Provides administrative support for assigned programs including, but not limited to, maintaining records, and verifying accuracy of records.
• Partners with service providers and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
• Assists in preparation for documentation and cases for presentation in court hearings and serves as a representative at county and state evidentiary hearings or appeals; testifies as necessary.
• Determines the need for recovery of funds or referral for fraud investigation and completes reports to the proper investigative resource in cases of suspected fraud.
• Assists co-workers as necessary; Provides training and technical support to new and temporary eligibility specialists.
• Attend outreach events as needed.
• May be required to work mandatory overtime.
• May be required to work alternate schedules and in other Pueblo County locations.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

WHAT YOU HAVE

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalency required

• Minimum of two (2) years or more Administrative support experience or related clerical work required

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Colorado driver’s license within 90 days of hire required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must successfully pass background check

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalency required

• Minimum of two (2) years or more Administrative support experience or related clerical work required
• Minimum of two (2) years or more experience performing as an Eligibility Specialist required

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Colorado driver’s license within 90 days of hire required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must successfully pass background check

WHAT PUEBLO COUNTY OFFERS

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• Remote & Hybrid working opportunities
• County Retirement Program
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• Truly inclusive and diverse environment
• Fitness Center (Historic Pueblo Courthouse Building)
• May be eligible for up to 12-weeks Paid Parental Leave Benefits (full-time employees)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUMMARY
2025

HOLIDAYS

• New Year's Day - January 1st
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 20th
• Presidents' Day - February 17th
• Memorial Day - May 26th
• Employee Appreciation Day Picnic - June 4th
• Juneteenth Day - June 19th
• Independence Day - July 4th
• Day before Labor Day - August 29th (Early Release at 12:00pm)
• Labor Day - September 1st
• Francis Xavier Cabrini Day - October 6th
• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day - October 13th
• Halloween - October 31st (Early Release at 3:00pm)
• Veteran's Day - November 11th
• Day before Thanksgiving - November 26th (Early Release at 12:00pm)
• Thanksgiving Day - November 27th
• Day after Thanksgiving - November 28th
• Christmas Eve Day - December 24th
• Christmas Day - December 25th
• Day before New Year's Day - December 31st (Early Release at 12:00pm)
• One (1) Personal Day **
• One (1) Commission Appreciation Day ***

* = Regular Part-Time Employees who are scheduled to work on a 2025 Holiday will receive Holiday Pay for two (2) of the Holidays of their choice (marked with the single asterisk * above) as approved by their Elected Official or Department Director

• When a holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday will be celebrated as the County holiday
• When a holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday will be celebrated as the County holiday
• Personal Day **: Paid day off chosen by the employee and approved by their Elected Official or Department Director
• Commissioner Appreciation Day ***: Paid day off chosen by the employee and approved by their Elected Office or Department Director
• Elected Officials and Department Directors may vary these holidays based on the needs of their offices/departments.
• Early releases are at the discretion of the Elected Official or Department Director and may vary based on the operational needs of their offices/departments.
• All time off work taken by County employees for the days designated as Early Release shall be considered holiday time off for purposes "worked time" in determining Overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• If an employee is absent the day preceding or following the holiday without prior approval, the employee will not be paid for the holiday

*** The above 2025 Holiday Schedule resolution number 24-215 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on October 15th, 2024***

DEPARTMENTS SCHEDULED TO WORK ON HOLIDAYS
Due to operational requirements, some employees will be required to work on holidays. The employee must take the holiday by the end of the month following the holiday at a date approved by their Elected Official or Department Director

SICK LEAVE
Regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 960 hours.

VACATION LEAVE

• Upon initial date of hire: earn eight (8) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 144 hours.
• After 5 years: earn twelve (12) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 216 hours.
• Ater 10 years: earn sixteen (16) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 288 hours.

RETIREMENT
All Regular Full-Time employees and Elected Officials are required to participate in the County Retirement Plan upon completion of one (1) month of continuous employment. A pre-tax deduction of 8.25% will be deducted from the employee's monthly pay.

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EMPLOYER MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION
Pueblo County's contribution toward the purchase of your benefit options on a tiered approach and based on which medical plan you elect.

If Benefit Selections:

• Are greater than the employer contribution dollar amount, the difference is deducted from paycheck
• Are equal to the employer contribution dollar amount, there is no effect on pay
• Are less the employer contribution dollar amount, additional pay or cash back is not optional

Your monthly cost = (monthly pay)/100 x 0.410

BASIC LIFE AND AD&D BENEFIT (required)
Employees are required to purchase the basic option for $3.10, however, they may elect to purchase additional coverage.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (optional)
This benefit allows you to pay for certain expenses (medical and/or dependent care needs) with "pre-tax" dollars. You specify the dollar amount you would like deducted from your monthly paycheck (minimum of $25), then when you incur an eligible expense, you pay it. Then you submit a claim form and original receipt for reimbursement.

Note: According to IRS rules, any funds left in your FSA account(s) at the end of the year cannot be returned to you. They are considered "use or lose" funds.

ADDITIONAL INSURANCES/BENEFITS (optional)

• Optional Life Insurance
• Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance
• Other Self-Funded Retirement Plans