ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I

About the Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. Our vision is to be a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. We are a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency and accountability, thriving in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion nurtured through open communication.

About the Role

Families in need and in crisis require time-sensitive actions from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to assisting the vulnerable. As an Eligibility Specialist, your career choice could make a critical difference by making a tremendous impact on countless lives. You will be part of a demanding and challenging team where every minute and every case processed count for those who are hungry, caring for others, or in need of assistance to provide shelter for loved ones.

This role is designed for those who want to help those in need make a better life for themselves and their families. You will handle a high volume of deadline-driven work, requiring the ability to prioritize, plan, and remain flexible to frequent changes in program policy and computer-based systems. Your day will involve interviewing applicants, verifying information, and determining eligibility for government assistance programs like Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance. You will instruct clients on form completion, research information to confirm eligibility status, and manage an electronic caseload that varies based on community needs.

Hiring Process

All eligible candidates must complete a skills assessment within three days of receiving the link via email. This assessment includes:

• Typing (TT): A test of typing speed, measuring both speed and accuracy.
• General Aptitude Mobile Evaluation (GAME): Evaluates critical thinking, problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and the ability to learn and apply new information.
• Computer Skills (CLIK): A basic computer literacy test assessing knowledge of internet browsers, email, chat, and word processing.
• Employee Personality Profile (EPP): Assesses personality traits.

Candidates must complete the Candidate Profile application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. Any gaps in employment must be explained to avoid delays. Experience, education, and responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable. If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Location and Culture

You will work in Orlando, Florida, the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. No matter where you land in Florida, you are never more than 60 miles from a body of saltwater. Floridians hail from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life, making it an incredibly diverse melting pot. The Sunshine State is a great place to live and work, and we invite you to join our team.

Equal Opportunity and Requirements

The State of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment. Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must be registered with the Selective Service System before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a State and National criminal history check, including fingerprinting through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The position may require face-to-face contact with clients, and incumbents may be expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters. Veterans' Preference is available for eligible candidates pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.