Overview
Tehama County Social Services
Red Bluff, CA
Please note: This is an extra-help position, therefore it is utilized on an as-needed basis and does not qualify for benefits.
This is a State Merit System Services (MSS) classification. Please go to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mss to view the actual job classification and to apply for this position.
SALARY
(A-E Steps)
Eligibility Specialist I:
$18.48 – $22.46 per hour / $1,478.40- $1,796.80 Bi-Weekly / $38,438.40 – $46,716.80 Annually
Eligibility Specialist II:
$20.40 – $24.80 per hour / $1,632.00- $1,984.00 Bi-Weekly / $42,432.00 – $51,584.00 Annually
Bilingual Incentive – Candidates who are certified Spanish bilingual are eligible for a 7.5% bilingual stipend
THE PERFECT MATCH:
Will have a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement; strong work ethic and ability to prioritize assigned work tasks and follow through in a timely manner. Posses excellent listening skills as well as strong written/verbal communication skills; excellent customer service skills and initiative; solution based problem solving skills; experience in maintaining cooperative relations and communications with customers, management, and staff; ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism; proficiency in MS Office suite as well as basic knowledge of software and database programs.
WHAT WILL YOU DO:
Acting as the first contact for individuals seeking public assistance; interviewing applicants and recipients to obtain and verify information needed to determine initial and/or ongoing eligibility for public assistance. This often requires obtaining information in difficult and/or emotional situations on issues such as earnings and financial obligations and/or parental status and living arrangements and maintaining control of the interview if the client becomes hostile or angry over the interview questions; learning numerous state and federal program regulations and specific county practices through intensive training prior to full case assignment and ongoing training thereafter.
An Eligibility Specialist is not responsible for working with clients to attempt to resolve their personal or social problems, they are responsible to verify and grant eligibility for public assistance. Eligibility Specialists are expected to handle a high volume of deadline driven work which requires them to keep up to date on changes in rules, laws, procedures, etc. that effect processing timelines. Applicants must be able to prioritize, plan and project their work, but at the same time be flexible to changes at any moment, such as unscheduled visits from customers. It is important to understand that the actions you take as an Eligibility Specialist affect the lives of clients and their families.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES:
Eligibility Specialist’s may be required to take actions that conflict with your own values. An Eligibility Specialist must be able to accept customers’ differences and interact with them in a non-judgmental manner.
Examples of Duties
- Performs interactive interviews to elicit eligibility information, obtain and/or verify financial, employment, tax and personal demographic information and determine eligibility for public assistance programs and services.
- Ensures accuracy and completion of application and declaration forms.
- Determines the level of benefits to which the client is entitled by making complex computations and/or computer entries and then analyzing the results.
- Monitors on-going eligibility by obtaining periodic updated information of eligibility factors and takes appropriate actions on changes.
Education, Experience & Licenses
In addition to the education and experience requirements specified in the Merit Systems/Cooperative Personnel Services classification specification, Tehama County requires:
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade
License & Special Requirements:
- Requires a valid California Class C driver’s license.
Bilingual Candidates:
- Requires passing Merit Systems Bilingual Testing
- Requires written and verbal Spanish communications with clients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Eligibility Specialist I:
Pattern 1: One year full-time experience in an Eligibility Specialist Trainee classification in an Interagency Merit System(IMS) county;
OR
Pattern 2:
One (1) year of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits and two (2) years of clerical work involving public contact;
OR
Pattern 3: Two (2) years of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits;
OR
Pattern 4: Four (4) years of full-time clerical work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of forms or eliciting information from the public;
OR
Pattern 5: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Qualifying experience or education may be combined in order to meet the above requirements. When combining education and experience; fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units equals six months of experience.
Eligibility Specialist II:
One (1) year full time experience in an Eligibility Specialist I classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) County;
OR
Two (2) years of full time experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs in a public human services agency.
Recruitment Information
The department is recruiting for multiple vacancies.
In addition, Tehama County is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for an Eligibility Specialist I/II – (Merit) Extra Help, as well as subsequent vacancies which occur during the life of the eligibility list.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM:
At the Department of Social Services we strive to partner with our community to assist, empower and protect those we serve. We foster an agency culture that supports family life and encourages fun filled activities and agency committees. This is more than an invitation, it’s a commitment to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth to everyone! We ask people to grow with us and make the agency even better.
For questions about this recruitment contact:
Jose Ventura
(530) 528-4095 I jventura@tcdss.org
HOW TO APPLY:
This recruitment closes on June 5th, 2023. To apply please submit your application through Merit System Services: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/MSS. You must click on the link, search for this job between the opening and closing dates, and submit your application. This job will only be posted between the opening and closing dates on the flyer. After filing your application you will be notified by Merit System Services as to whether or not your application met the minimum qualifications. Following the closing date those that met minimum qualifications will be contacted by the County for the next steps in the recruitment process. Interviews scheduled tentatively for mid-late May. Only the qualified candidates will be invited to test & interview.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of background, fingerprinting, drug test (including marijuana) and physical examination provided by the County.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANT / VETERANS’ PREFERENCEPOLICY / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE