Enrollment and Benefits Access Specialist I

ENROLLMENT AND BENEFITS ACCESS SPECIALIST I

Why is this a great job? (From the hiring manager) “This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping New Orleans residents access essential benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, supporting their health and stability. As part of a collaborative, mission-driven team, you’ll engage directly with the community while also coordinating program activities and managing key administrative functions. It’s a great fit for someone who is organized, proactive, and passionate about improving access to critical services.”

ABOUT US
The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is a statewide, non-profit organization that has been promoting the health and well-being of Louisianians since 1997. Our 65+ employees work alongside 500+ partner organizations at the local, state, and national levels to leverage our broad expertise in public health to achieve our mission of ensuring that everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy and well.  

Our strategic plan priority areas include Health Equity, Partnerships and Collaboration, A Healthier Louisiana, and A Thriving Organization. To learn more, visit www.lphi.org. 

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Enrollment and Benefits Access Specialist I  

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000 

• Salary is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons

Work Schedule: 35-hour work week

• Schedule details finalized between employee and manager. 
• Some evening or weekend work may be required to participate in community events or outreach activities. 

Location: This is a New Orleans-based, position with occasional (<10%) out-of-town travel required

• This employee will work in person at New Orleans City Hall
• This position will involve frequent travel to community-based locations throughout New Orleans.

Team: New Orleans Health Department’s Chronic Disease Prevention Team

Reports To: This position is employed by LPHI in partnership with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) and operates under the day-to-day supervision of NOHD

Supervises: none

Benefits:

• LPHI contributes 7% of pre-tax salary to the employees’ 401k per pay period regardless of employee contribution, after six continuous months of employment
• 100% paid premiums for employee health (Core plan), dental, short-term disability, long-term disability and term life insurance beginning on the first day of the month, on or following one month of full-time employment
• 100% paid Employee Assistance Program
• 100% paid parking at HEAL Garage
• Traditional, flexible, or compressed work schedules
• Resources committed to professional development
• Holidays, Vacation and Sick Days:
• 15+ paid holidays per year that includes Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break 
• 10 vacation days accrued per year, years 0-2
• 15 vacation days accrued per year, years 3-5
• 20 vacation days accrued per year, year 6+ 
• 3 personal days
• 1 floating holiday (employee’s choice)
• 12 sick days

ABOUT THE POSITION

A successful candidate will thrive in a team environment, can proactively anticipate, and manage challenges, be a self-starter with strong abilities to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize appropriately. Day-to-day responsibilities may include managing schedules and meetings, taking meeting minutes, identifying, and prioritizing items for attention, documentation management, and program activity coordination. 

We are seeking a dedicated and community-oriented Enrollment and Benefits Access Specialist I to expand access to critical safety net programs for residents of New Orleans. This position will support individuals and families in applying for and maintaining enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

The specialist will provide hands-on enrollment and renewal assistance in community-based settings across the city, helping residents navigate eligibility requirements, application processes, and documentation. The position will also support the development of outreach materials and communications strategies to ensure residents understand available services and upcoming changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility and enrollment requirements.

This role is designed to reduce barriers to food and health coverage, strengthen community partnerships, and help ensure that eligible residents remain connected to essential benefits.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

Enrollment and Application Assistance

• Provide direct, one-on-one assistance to residents applying for or renewing SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
• Help residents complete applications, gather required documentation, and understand eligibility and renewal requirements.
• Assist residents in navigating state online application systems and other enrollment platforms.
• Provide follow-up support to ensure applications are submitted successfully and benefits are maintained.

Community-Based Service Delivery

• Conduct enrollment assistance sessions at community-based locations across New Orleans, including health clinics, community centers, schools, food distribution sites, and neighborhood organizations.
• Build relationships with community partners to host enrollment events and regularly scheduled assistance hours.
• Participate in outreach events such as health fairs, food distribution events, and community meetings.

Outreach and Communications

• Collaborate with NOHD staff to develop clear, accessible communications materials that inform residents about SNAP and Medicaid enrollment services.
• Help design outreach strategies to reach communities most at risk of losing coverage or not enrolling despite eligibility.
• Provide timely information to the public about changes to program eligibility rules, renewal processes, and policy updates.

Community Engagement and Equity

• Ensure services are culturally responsive and accessible to diverse communities across New Orleans.
• Support outreach to immigrant communities, families with young children, and other populations experiencing barriers to benefits access.
• Help identify systemic barriers residents face in accessing SNAP and Medicaid and share insights with NOHD leadership to inform policy and program improvements.

Data and Reporting

• Track enrollment assistance activities, including number of residents served, applications submitted, and community events conducted.
• Maintain accurate records and report program outcomes to support grant reporting and program evaluation.
• Use data to inform outreach strategies and identify gaps in service delivery.

ABOUT YOU

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, public administration, community development, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 1 year of experience providing benefits enrollment assistance, social services navigation, or community outreach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with diverse populations.
• Experience working with community-based organizations or conducting community outreach.
• Ability to work independently and travel to locations throughout New Orleans.

Preferred:

• Bilingual proficiency (especially Spanish or Vietnamese).
• Familiarity with SNAP and Medicaid eligibility and application processes in Louisiana.
• Knowledge of the New Orleans community landscape, including neighborhood-based organizations and service providers.
• Lived experience navigating safety net programs in Louisiana.
• Experience developing outreach materials or public communications.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Commitment to health equity and community-centered service delivery
• Cultural humility and ability to work across diverse communities
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate complex policy or administrative information into clear guidance for residents
• Relationship-building and partnership development
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong, positive relationships with colleagues and partners, both internal and external to LPHI.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, including interpersonal skills and experience working with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated learning orientation; ability to learn new subject areas quickly.
• Ability to champion and manage change.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver with excellent quality and impact.
• Ability to apply systems thinking and act strategically.
• Ability to model and inspire authentic leadership.
• Ability to effectively manage and successfully develop individuals and team.
• Commitment to public health and achieving health equity.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Editing and revision skills are a plus.
• Ability to think proactively and function independently and must be able to work well in a team.
• Ability to maintain a highly detail-oriented approach while maintaining an appreciation of the long-term goals and objectives of the project.
• Proven and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to utilize virtual meeting platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Teams and Zoom to participate and coordinate meetings and activities in a virtual environment.

Your Impact at LPHI
The work you do at LPHI supports the organization’s ability to operate effectively and serve its mission. Your role contributes to how work gets done across teams—helping ensure efforts are organized, responsive, and aligned to organizational priorities that improve and advance health equity. 

We value collaboration, respect for lived experience, and continuous learning, and we strive to create an environment where every team member can contribute fully to advancing Health Equity, strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration, building a Healthier Louisiana, and supporting a Thriving Organization. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is committed to accessibility and inclusion by providing reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, flexible work arrangements, for qualified individuals with disabilities to support the job application process and performance of essential job functions consistent with applicable laws and organizational requirements. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected]. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including hair texture and natural hair styles), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including transgender identity, status and transitioning), gender expression and sex stereotyping, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information (including genetic information), family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, engaging in protected communications regarding employee wages, requesting a reasonable accommodation on the basis of disability or bona fide religious belief or practice, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these factors.

*As with all positions at LPHI, this position is funded through grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed under the provisions of the grantor of the contract. Positions are contingent upon the continuation of grant/contract funding.