Job Description

Posting number: 33060.26.006

Department: Employment & Economic Assistance

Job classification: Financial Assistance Specialist II (FASII)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Social Services, Human Services, Financial Aid & Services

Summary

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance

HOURS: Full-Time (40 hours per week).

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $58,606 - $73,257 annually

FULL SALARY RANGE: $58,606 - $91,571 annually (Grade 106)

LOCATION: West St. Paul

UNION: AFSCME 306

CLOSE DATE: Continuous with first review of applications on 10/23/2026

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

What you will do:

This posting is being used to recruit current eligibility specialists who have at least 2 years' experience determining eligibility for public assistance benefits in Minnesota in the past 2 years, or who have been out of the position less than 12 months and have at least 2 years' experience determining eligibility for public assistance benefits in Minnesota in the MAXIS, METS and/or MEC2 systems within the last 3 years. This posting will be used to fill multiple positions.

In this position, you will evaluate Dakota County residents' basic needs, health and well-being are met by assessing clients' economic, social, and health-related issues in order to accurately determine public assistance eligibility for Medicaid/Medical Assistance, SNAP, MFIP, GA/MSA, Child Care, or an Emergency Program. We have several positions for this posting. Please apply if you have experience in any program area.

This position is for someone who enjoys working with people and on computers, plus has an interest in helping individuals or families in times of financial crisis. Financial Assistance Specialists are often the first line of defense against poverty. We use in depth analysis of information received from internal and external customers, and multiple data sources. This career requires attention to detail, quality customer service and strong interpersonal communication skills.

Examples of Some Work Performed in this Position

1. Determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs, complete interviews, and review and verify information received from multiple sources.
2. Review household information periodically to ensure accurate ongoing eligibility.
3. Communicate program rules and requirements, benefit levels, expectations, and timelines to customers.
4. Calculate benefit amounts per county, state, and federal program guidelines.
5. Data entry into multiple state and county computer systems.
6. Provide case management on individual or team caseload.

Click here for information from our staff.

Examples of duties

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution.

OR

• Associate's degree in Public Financial Worker Program AND two years' experience working with the public.

OR

• Associate's degree OR completion of at least 90 quarter credits AND two years' experience working with the public.

OR

• High School graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.) AND four or more years' experience in a closely related position such as: Public Financial Worker, Child Support Specialist, or Program Associate/Case Aid.

AND

• Proficient at keyboard skills including typing at least 35 WPM.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current eligibility specialist who has at least 2 years of experience determining eligibility for public assistance benefits in Minnesota in the past 2 years, or who has been out of the position for less than 1 year and has at least 2 years of experience determining eligibility for public assistance benefits in Minnesota in the last 3 years, and
• Experience determining Medical Assistance eligibility in MAXIS. This includes long-term care and waivers, or
• Experience determining health care eligibility in METS, or
• Experience determining eligibility for SNAP and CASH (MFIP, IV-E Foster Care, GA, MSA Housing Support) in MAXIS, or
• Experience determining eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program in MEC2.

To be eligible for hire, an applicant must successfully complete a background check

Qualifications

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Interview Dakota County residents to assess their needs, gather information, and determine what governmental or community resources can meet those needs.
2. Counsel and advise residents on viable life options and promote self-sufficiency. Assess clients' ability to become self-sufficient by identifying client's strengths and weaknesses.
3. Determine clients' economic, social, and health-related issues. Provide services by assessing and determining financial assistance program eligibility.
4. Coordinate services by collaborating with staff and external service providers.
5. Reassess clients' needs and eligibility criteria to determine continued program eligibility and ensure their well-being as required or needed.
6. Represent the agency in legal settings and interview clients and their legal representatives.
7. Represent the agency in internal and external work groups and advisory committees, document and prepare presentations.
8. Provide training on programs, work methods, and procedures to other agency staff.

Supplemental information

• Comprehensive knowledge of computer software and information systems.
• Knowledge of investigative interviewing techniques including de-escalation approaches.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of psychology, mental and physical illness, developmental disabilities, adult, and child protection criteria.
• Knowledge of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationship to public assistance program eligibility.
• Must possess a high level of analytical skills.
• Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, department, and County associates in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions.
• Ability to prioritize work according to client and agency needs.
• Ability to assess a persons' social, economic, emotional, and health needs.

Work Environment: Work is hybrid performed in mostly a remote environment after initial training. There will be times that require work within a County office building or designated off-site location such as but not limited to minimum monthly in-office presence, team meetings, gathering necessary work equipment, completing required trainings or forms for employment. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to laptop, printer, calculator, and telephone.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background check