Customer Service Guide (Public Benefits Specialist - Entry)

Initial Posting Date:

11/19/2025

Application Deadline:

11/26/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$3,705 - $4,833

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Customer Service Guide (Public Benefits Specialist - Entry)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! Step into a role where your efforts directly empower Oregonians to rise above poverty—become a key player and facilitate access to vital services that foster equity and well-being.

As a Customer Service Guide, you will work in-person in our Springfield Branch assisting Oregonians. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Summary of Duties

As a Customer Service Guide (Public Services Specialist Entry), you will:

• Be the first face of contact in most offices for customers either entering the physical office or virtually through the online application portal or telephone communication.
• Contribute to the welcoming environment as families interact with the department.
• Greet and assist Oregonians through a trauma-informed lens.
• Work with Oregonians who are applying for programs such as medical, cash for families (TANF), Domestic Violence services, food benefits (SNAP), childcare assistance (ERDC), and long-term care services in-person, by phone and via our online applicant portal to answer case status and other inquiries; provide information on how to access community resources.
• Work within a team that collaboratively rotates tasks to support the business needs of the office.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of experience either interviewing to obtain personal or technical information or substantial people contact.
• This experience must have involved a high volume of paperwork (e.g., assuring information on forms is complete and accurate, completing necessary documents, etc.).
• College-level courses may be substituted for the experience on a year-for-year basis.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Customer Service: Demonstrated professional demeanor that delivers quality customer service daily by telephone, in writing or in person.
• Computer Skills: Experience in usage and functionality of computers, web browsers, databases, and programs such as Microsoft along with other general office equipment such as phone systems, copiers, scanners, fax, etc. Experience using multiple systems in tandem for research and tracking.
• Communication: Experience conveying technical concepts, including complex rules, regulations, and procedures, to customers with diverse learning styles and varying levels of familiarity with the subject. Experience interpreting non-verbal cues, simplifying information into understandable components, utilizing re