Economic Support Specialist

Salary: $32.80 - $35.44 Hourly
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00500
Department: Human Services Department
Opening Date: 12/05/2025
Closing Date: 12/19/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 720

Description

The Dane County Department of Human Services, Economic Assistance and Work Services Division, in Madison, Wisconsin, is recruiting for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Economic Support Specialist (Bilingual - Spanish) position. Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour (not reflected in the above hourly rate).

The Eligibility List created from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months.

Note to applicants - for the 2026 budget year, there is a 1% reduction in wages (already reflected above), an additional 21 holiday hours, and continued earning of longevity and merit steps.

This recruitment includes a Written Exam and Spanish and English Listening and Speaking Exams.

Watch this video for more information on working as an Economic Support Specialist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1vssKBXesw.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers' needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION

An entry level classification in the Economic Assistance Division of the Department of Human Services, under general supervision, to perform call center and case management functions for applicants/recipients of Medical Assistance, Child Care Subsidies, Food Stamp Program, and other economic assistance programs; to apply complex federal, state, and local policies to achieve program objectives; to provide information and referral services to Dane County residents; and to do related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Approximately 75% of the Economic Support Specialist (ESS) duties are to answer calls and address customer issues as part of an eight (8) county call center, which may include many of the duties listed. Provides case management to participants of economic assistance and employment programs in person, on the phone, or electronically; accepts applications for program benefits; determines eligibility through interviews, documents, and collateral investigations; enters information in computerized eligibility systems and other computer programs; explains agency services, payment delivery, and client rights and responsibilities; maintains accurate, well documented case files; effectively utilizes case management tools, including computer documents; accurately determines program placement and payments; responds to emergency need situations; makes referrals for supportive services; maintains an effective working relationship with collateral agencies; maintains a current knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and local policies; investigates complaints and fraud allegations; prepares for and offers testimony in administrative (civil) and criminal hearings; and regularly attends in-service training programs.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:

Any combination of education, training and experience equivalent to High School graduation (or equivalent) and two (2) years' experience providing case management and/or eligibility determination of clients. Two (2) years of related college study may be substituted for the described experience. Must have at least one (1) year of experience with electronic data processing equipment and use of current computer programs.
Special Requirements:

Flexibility of job position and office location is essential. No one is permanently assigned to a specific unit or office. Good organizational skills are imperative to a successful career. A valid driver's license (or eligibility for) and access to personal transportation may be required for some positions. For positions requiring a driver's license and transportation, candidates who reach the final selection process will be subject to a thorough driving record background check. Some positions may require bilingual skills in a Southeast Asian language (Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian or Vietnamese) and English, and bicultural in Southeast Asian (Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian or Vietnamese) and American. Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish-English. (Must be able to pass bilingual tests.)
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
2. Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:

Sedentary work, using cordless headsets, reading from computer monitors, and using a keyboard and mouse for up to eight hours per day, interactions on a regular basis with individuals who are experiencing economic and personal distress due to various issues; creating potentially volatile situations, engage in lengthy verbal conversations with clients, coworkers, and community partners both in person and over the phone, flexibility of job position, duties and office location is essential - no one is permanently assigned to a specific unit or office, much of the work is confined to your work area, connected to phone system, standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of case management principles; interviewing skills; knowledge of community resources available to recipients and applicants; ability to read complex manuals and handbooks and follow the orderly directions they provide; ability to work independently with minimum supervision; ability to work within strict time deadlines and establish routines to result in an even output of work; ability to be highly organized; ability to work accurately in order to avoid hardship to clients and costly federal or state sanctions; ability to work cooperatively with agency staff and public officials; ability to maintain confidentiality and objectivity; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to handle a high volume of phone calls while providing polite, accurate, and comprehensive service; ability to implement rules and regulations; ability to work with constantly changing policies; ability to make frequent and accurate computer entries; ability to deal effectively with persons who may be hostile, non-cooperative or evasive.
Become a part of the Dane County Team

We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit

Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.

Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).

Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.

Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.

Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.

Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.

Like our Facebook page:

Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
01

Do you have any combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to High School graduation (or equivalent)?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have two (2) years' experience providing case management of clients?

• Yes
• No

03

If you responded 'Yes' to Question 2, please explain your two years of experience providing case management to clients. Provide employment dates and a summary of example of duties. (Do not put, "See Resume.")
04

Do you have two (2) years' experience providing eligibility determination of clients?

• Yes
• No

05

If you responded 'Yes' to Question 4, please explain your two years of experience providing eligibility determination of clients. Provide employment dates and a summary of example of duties determining eligibility to clients. (Do not put, "See Resume.")
06

Do you have two (2) years of related college study for the described experience?

• Yes
• No

07

If you responded 'Yes' to Question 6, please identify the area of study and how it relates.
08

You must have at least one (1) year of experience with electronic data processing equipment and use of current computer programs. Please list your experience with electronic data processing equipment.
Required Question

---