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Program Eligibility Specialist

About the Organization Welcome to HRDC, where you'll find us working to improve our neighbors' lives by building a better community in Bozeman, Livingston and Southwest Montana. We invite you to become part of our HRDC family whether you need help or are able to provide help.

We believe in building a better community through supporting our neighbors across Southwest Montana with nearly 50 different programming initiatives.

HRDC exists to instill hope, develop resources, design solutions, and change lives.

We envision a place where poverty has no impact because opportunity and quality of life are equally afforded to everyone.

EOE Statement HRDC does not discriminate against any person including customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, reprisal, and where applicable, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, political ideas and beliefs, level of English skills, if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by HRDC, in the performance of contracts and the delivery of services or funding. Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.

All are encouraged to apply. At HRDC IX , we value lived experience and nontraditional backgrounds. Studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

Open Date 8/19/2025

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

Location Market Place

Description

If you are viewing this job listing from a job posting board (indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) and wish to apply for this position you MUST do so directly throughour website. If you apply through Indeed or LinkedIn, your application WILL NOT be complete and you will therefore not be considered for the position.

Section I: Position Details

Job Opening Date:August 19, 2025

Job Status:This position is a seasonal contract (Early-September through approximately April 30) & 32 hours per week

Wage:$24.00/hour

General Summary of this Position:

Informs customers and interested parties of the scope, nature, and requirements of the Energy Assistance Programs. Takes applications for heat bill assistance, verifies information, completes all required forms to determine eligibility and benefit level in various grant programs. Performs outreach functions and consumer education activities. Performs routine office functions and other duties as assigned.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Determines program eligibility and processes applications (75%)

+ Performs heat bill assistance intake and application processing

+ Assists customers with completing their application when necessary

+ Verifies information provided by applicant

+ Determines program eligibility and level of benefits

+ Maintains a balanced client empathy and exercises judgment in assisting within funding limitations

+ Maintains client files and appropriate documentation per program regulations

2. Interviews consumers for energy needs assessment and completes appropriate referrals (10%)

+ Informs consumers and other interested parties of the scope, nature and regulations of the energy assistance programs

+ Demonstrates knowledge of local resources and makes appropriate referrals

3. Serves as a community resource person for all energy assistance programs (5%)

+ Explains the energy assistance programs (LIHEAP, CRF emergency furnace repair/replacement, Weatherization, Energy Share of Montana) to consumers and interested parties

+ Negotiates with vendors regarding scheduling service for no-heat situations

+ Attends appropriate meetings and training

4. Interacts and communicates with people representing a wide variety of backgrounds, organizations, agencies and professions (5%)

+ Communicates both personally and impersonally through oral or written directives and memoranda, with all parties involved

+ Promote effective communication and cooperation with staff, clients and other service providers

+ Represents the HRDC at public hearings and meetings

5. Prepares correspondence, interagency forms, state and federal forms and reports (5%)

+ Completes required forms and reports within time frames specified by individual program requirements

+ Prepares correspondence and maintains appropriate records

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Language Skills:

+ Read and comprehend basic instructions and present information to others

+ Read, interpret, and write routine reports and correspondence

Mathematical/ Money Handling Skills:

+ Add, subtract, multiply and divide simple numbers

+ Apply concepts of basic algebra

+ Handle small amounts of cash

Reasoning Ability:

+ Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form

+ Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

+ Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Specialized Office Equipment:

+ Operate fax machine to send or receive documents

+ Operate 10-key calculator to add, subtract, divide, or multiple numbers

+ Operate multi-line telephone to place, receive or transfer calls and to retrieve voice mail messages.

+ Other (Specify): Copier, scanner, postage machine

Computer Software and Operating Systems:

+ Utilize computer Spreadsheet (Excel/Google Sheets) to input, format and edit data and save, print or transmit data

+ Utilize computer Word Processing (Word/Google Doc) to input, format and edit documents and save, print or transmit documents

+ Utilize computer Internet/ E-Mail to access, send, retrieve, save, print or transmit documents, or data files

+ Operate Personal Computer with Windows operating system to start programs, input, format and edit data files and print or transmit data

+ Utilizes proprietary, custom or online programs or data bases to input, format, and edit data and save, print, or transmit data. Specify Software: State of Montana databases including CHIMES, Department of Labor, and TEAMS

Agency, professional or governmental policies and regulations:

+ State or Federal Regulations or Laws (List by Name): Administrative Rules of Montana; LIHEAP Policy and Procedures

+ Agency Policies or Procedures (List by Name): All HRDC policies and procedures

Drivers Licenses Required for Performing this Position:

+ Montana Class D Driver License and appropriate insurance.

Professional Licenses or Certifications Required by Law, Rule or Regulation for Performing this Position:

+ All State and Federal certifications required per funding sources must be obtained within 6 months of requirement. Failure to obtain certification can result in termination of employment.

Other Required Knowledge, Skills or Abilities:

+ Ability to effectively work and communicate with a wide range of individuals from all socio-economic groups

+ Ability to read, interpret and implement documents such as governmental regulations, rules, and procedure manuals

+ Ability work with minimal supervision and effectively manage work flow

+ Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints from customers or claimants.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills

+ Exhibit self-motivation, high energy level, high level of organization, and efficiency

+ Demonstrate ability to make appropriate programmatic decisions

+ Effectively establishes and maintain positive working relationships with program participants and other team members

+ Ability to speak precisely and clearly in public

+ Effectively disseminates information about program offerings

+ Ensures compliance with program and performance standards

Essential Physical, Mental and Emotional Requirements of this Position:

The following physical, mental and emotional abilities are considered essential to perform the duties listed above:

+ While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear.

+ The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

+ The incumbent must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and work under time pressures.

+ Must be able to sit for extended periods of time

Education and Experience:

Education:The following course(s) of study or class work usually provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position:

+ Graduation from high school or GED required

+ Some post high school education is preferred

Experience:The following kinds of experience usually provide the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position:

+ Two years work experience that would provide general office skills including computer usage, office machines operation, and general office procedures.

+ Eligibility testing experience is preferred

Section III – Supervision

Supervision Received:

+ This position operates under general supervision.

+ The incumbent’s work is primarily assigned by daily workflow and operations. The incumbent is authorized to make decisions as to the timing and sequence of work and the work is performed according to established policies and procedures and/or within applicable laws, rules and regulations governing the tasks being performed.

+ Works under the direct supervision of the Program Director; consults Program Director on questions, problems and procedures as they arise.

This position supervises the following position(s):

+ None

Section IV – Decisions

Impact of Decisions and Errors Made by Position:

+ Decisions, final recommendations and/or errors primarily affect clients of LIHEAP, Weatherization, and Energy Share Programs

Judgment Required to Make Decisions:

+ Requires judgment to solve daytoday problems, but usually within established procedures, guidelines, and precedents

Exception Authority:

+ This position cannot authorize exceptions to Program policy or procedure.

Section V – Financial Responsibility

Handling Cash or Checks:

+ This position handles cash or checks for Energy Share payments.

+ Prepares vendor claims for Program Director approval

+ Enters data necessary for the State to reimburse the agency’s Contingency Revolving Fund

Section VI – Personal Contacts

The incumbent is responsible for the following personal contacts (either in oral or written form) when performing the Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

+ Interacts with the public or consumers daily

+ Interacts with Program Director weekly or more frequently

+ Interacts with representatives of other service providers on a weekly or more frequent basis

+ May interact with funding agencies to provide information or exchange facts

Confidentiality:

+ This position requires regular handling of sensitive and confidential client and agency information. Unauthorized disclosure could harm client interests and the organization, and may also violate state and federal privacy laws. This position will have full access to reports, records, and personnel files, and must exercise the highest level of discretion, judgment, and confidentiality at all times.

Section VII – Working Conditions:

The incumbent is exposed to the following unusual, potentially hazardous or unpleasant working conditions:

+ Works in temperature controlled office environment

+ Weekly or more frequent contact clients are in a highly emotional state of mind

+ Limited exposure to hostile or angry clients or public members

+ Limited overnight travel required

This position is currently accepting applications.