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Eligibility Services Specialist


Job Location:

Bridgeport, WV - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 70113 - 87548
Posted: 29 September 2026 (4 days ago)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Introduction

Are you a current Department of Social Services employee with six (6) years of experience in the determination of client eligibility for public assistance with one (1) year at the level of an Eligibility Services Worker If so we encourage you to consider the Fair Hearings Supervisor position below!

The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Eligibility Services Specialist located in Bridgeport CT.

The Eligibility Contact Center (Tier 1) will be the first point of contact for our clients. We are a professional fast-paced team answering a high-volume of calls related to a variety of questions such as general information program status status of submitted documents via phone. Any questions pertaining to eligibility for DSS programs will be directed to appropriate resources either within DSS or to external teams.

We are seeking a collaborative customer-focused professional to join our team as an Eligibility Services this dynamic role you will play a key part in supporting frontline staff who help Connecticut residents access essential benefits and services. As a leader and mentor within a fast-paced contact center environment you will assist with onboarding and training new staff provide coaching and guidance on complex client interactions and help ensure exceptional customer service through quality assurance and performance monitoring.

The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who thrives in a team-oriented setting and is passionate about developing others. Working closely with agents supervisors and management you will foster a positive and productive workplace assist with resolving challenging eligibility cases monitor key service level metrics and contribute to continuous improvement efforts. If you enjoy mentoring others solving problems and making a meaningful impact on the delivery of public services we encourage you to apply and become part of a team dedicated to serving Connecticuts residents with professionalism compassion and excellence.

    POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
    • LOCATION: Bridgeport CT
    • SHIFT:First (full time 40 hours per week) Hybrid
    • SCHEDULE:8:00 am 4:30 pm OR Monday Friday 8:30 am 5:00 pm
    • NOTE: You must be a current DSS employee to be considered. Please see selection plan for additional details.
    WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU - As a current State of Connecticut employee you will receive the same excellent benefits you are already accustom to.
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
    • Engage in a rewarding career
    • Make a difference in the public sector
    • Work together in a collaborative team environment
    MORE ABOUT US
    DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticuts multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children families older and other adults including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices central administration and online and phone access options.

    Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

    START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.
    Selection Plan

    In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service absent any applicable collective bargaining language and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

    Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

    BEFORE YOU APPLY:

    • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the Apply or Apply Online buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

    AFTER YOU APPLY:

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
    In the Departments of Children and Families and Social Services this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist in the provision of eligibility services to clients of the departments various assistance programs and may provide a broad range of client services and economic support aimed at maintaining or achieving a clients full potential for self-direction self reliance and independent living.
    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
    • Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
    • Schedules assigns oversees and reviews work;
    • Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
    • Provides staff training and assistance including monitoring and assessing current and projected needs;
    • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
    • Acts as liaison with operating units agencies and outside officials such as third party providers social services agencies and attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures;
    • Provides technical and procedural support to staff;
    • Acts as liaison with Eligibility Services Supervisor concerning unit training needs practical program implementation problems and effectiveness of unit workflow procedures;
    • Acts as unit policy specialist in difficult unusual and/or complex case resolution;
    • Facilitates the resolution of systems and data problems;
    • Provides eligibility services and/or vocational services to clients assigned to individual caseload;
    • Conducts in-depth interviews with applicants experiencing difficulty in meeting program eligibility requirements;
    • Evaluates clients financial needs and stabilizes economic situation by providing necessary assistance and services;
    • Periodically reviews eligibility to ensure correct benefits level;
    • Conducts comprehensive social services assessment to identify potential barriers to employability;
    • Provides necessary eligibility employment and supportive services to reduce barriers and promote self sufficiency;
    • Monitors client progress with employability plan and takes appropriate actions including conciliation and/or sanctioning;
    • May make recommendations on policies or standards;
    • May prepare reports and correspondence;
    • May provide client orientation to agency programs and support services;
    • May be responsible for agency components of client Independence Plans;
    • May make presentations within agency and/or community;
    • Performs related duties as required.
    KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY
    • Considerable knowledge of
      • and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;
      • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws statutes and regulations;
      • available community support and social services resources;
      • common individual and/or family financial practices and investments;
      • Eligibility Management System;
    • Knowledge of
      • counseling and interviewing techniques;
      • employment problems of economically disadvantaged and issues which are barriers to employment;
    • Skills
      • interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
      • interviewing skills;
      • problem solving skills;
    • Ability to maintain client records and prepare reports;
    • Training ability
    • Supervisory ability.
    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
    Six (6) years of experience in the determination of client eligibility for public assistance.
    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
    One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of an Eligibility Services Worker.
    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
    • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelors degree.
    • A Masters degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
    Conclusion

    AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women minorities and persons with disabilities.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
    As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

    Required Experience:

    IC


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