Tennessee Department of Human Services
ELIGIBILITY COUNSELOR 1* - 12162025-73554
Tennessee Department of Human Services, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
ELIGIBILITY COUNSELOR 1* - 12162025-73554
Join to apply for the ELIGIBILITY COUNSELOR 1* - 12162025-73554 role at Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Job Information State of Tennessee Job Information
Opening Date / Time: 12/16/2025 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date / Time: 01/05/2026 11:59 PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $3,229.00 - $4,041.00
Salary (Annually): $38,748.00 - $48,492.00
Job Type: Full-Time
City, State: Knoxville, TN
Department: Human Services
Location of Positions to be Filled Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services Division, Knox County
Working Title Eligibility Determination Specialist
Position Requirements This is an on-site position.
This position requires a criminal background check. Applicants may be required to provide information about criminal history.
Qualifications Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree.
Substitution of Experience for Education:
Qualifying full-time professional eligibility determination experience and/or a combination of para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
OR
Two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI-based criminal history records clerk.
Overview This classification learns to perform eligibility determination work of average difficulty. An employee in this class is customer-facing and learns to interview customers and determine eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs. This classification performs responsibilities at the learning level under direct supervision. This classification differs from the Eligibility Counselor 2 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level.
An applicant appointed to this classification will be reclassified to an Eligibility Counselor 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; 'unacceptable' or 'needs improvement' performance ratings during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.
Responsibilities
Learn to manage a workload of initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs based on specific demographic and economic criteria in accordance with Federal and State requirements through independently conducting probing interviews with customers by phone or in person.
Learn to provide case management for initial SNAP and TANF eligibility, ongoing eligibility, and customer changes to assess impact on continued eligibility through direct customer engagement via phone or in person.
Learn to calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting. Document information regarding verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case-related activity using a computerized case record and/or paper case files.
Learn to ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying and utilizing data provided by customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
Learn to assist customers with the application process and scheduling appointments.
Learn to review and interpret program policy and explain eligibility and ongoing responsibilities for programs/services to ensure customer understanding.
Learn to assess customer's strengths and consider their goals, desired outcomes, work activities, and supportive services to aid in self-sufficiency. Identify benefits and services that may be available to customers within the Department or from external sources and make referrals as appropriate.
Learn to develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs and identify available services and benefits to effectively meet customer needs and promote self-sufficiency.
Competencies
Tech Savvy
Decision Quality
Optimizes Work Processes
Communicates Effectively
Instills Trust
Knowledge
Customer and Personal Language
English Language
Skills
Mathematics
Active Learning and Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Time Management
Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Problem Sensitivity
Written Comprehension
Tools & Equipment
General Office Equipment
Computer/Laptop/Tablet
Multifunctional Printer (Print/Scan/Fax/Copy)
Calculator
For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0017005_EC1_Knox_1526.pdf
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Job Information State of Tennessee Job Information
Opening Date / Time: 12/16/2025 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date / Time: 01/05/2026 11:59 PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $3,229.00 - $4,041.00
Salary (Annually): $38,748.00 - $48,492.00
Job Type: Full-Time
City, State: Knoxville, TN
Department: Human Services
Location of Positions to be Filled Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services Division, Knox County
Working Title Eligibility Determination Specialist
Position Requirements This is an on-site position.
This position requires a criminal background check. Applicants may be required to provide information about criminal history.
Qualifications Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree.
Substitution of Experience for Education:
Qualifying full-time professional eligibility determination experience and/or a combination of para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
OR
Two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI-based criminal history records clerk.
Overview This classification learns to perform eligibility determination work of average difficulty. An employee in this class is customer-facing and learns to interview customers and determine eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs. This classification performs responsibilities at the learning level under direct supervision. This classification differs from the Eligibility Counselor 2 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level.
An applicant appointed to this classification will be reclassified to an Eligibility Counselor 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; 'unacceptable' or 'needs improvement' performance ratings during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.
Responsibilities
Learn to manage a workload of initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs based on specific demographic and economic criteria in accordance with Federal and State requirements through independently conducting probing interviews with customers by phone or in person.
Learn to provide case management for initial SNAP and TANF eligibility, ongoing eligibility, and customer changes to assess impact on continued eligibility through direct customer engagement via phone or in person.
Learn to calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting. Document information regarding verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case-related activity using a computerized case record and/or paper case files.
Learn to ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying and utilizing data provided by customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
Learn to assist customers with the application process and scheduling appointments.
Learn to review and interpret program policy and explain eligibility and ongoing responsibilities for programs/services to ensure customer understanding.
Learn to assess customer's strengths and consider their goals, desired outcomes, work activities, and supportive services to aid in self-sufficiency. Identify benefits and services that may be available to customers within the Department or from external sources and make referrals as appropriate.
Learn to develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs and identify available services and benefits to effectively meet customer needs and promote self-sufficiency.
Competencies
Tech Savvy
Decision Quality
Optimizes Work Processes
Communicates Effectively
Instills Trust
Knowledge
Customer and Personal Language
English Language
Skills
Mathematics
Active Learning and Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Time Management
Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Problem Sensitivity
Written Comprehension
Tools & Equipment
General Office Equipment
Computer/Laptop/Tablet
Multifunctional Printer (Print/Scan/Fax/Copy)
Calculator
For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0017005_EC1_Knox_1526.pdf
#J-18808-Ljbffr