Eligibility Specialist III

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

• Provides lead direction and/or training to a unit of specialists determining eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs.
• Provides support to supervisor with unit operations and coverage.
• Assists in the development and implementation of procedures for public assistance programs.
• 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.
• Analyzes financial and eligibility information to determine initial or continuing eligibility for multiple aid programs.
• Reconciles data through multiple data systems, ensuring all data is matched.
• Explains regulations, rules, and policies to clients and apprises them of their rights, responsibilities, and eligibility for participation in various public assistance programs and services.
• Ensures accuracy and completion of application and declaration forms.
• Resolves discrepancies by securing documentation, medical records, and confirmation from other agencies.
• Initiates a total-household assistance case.
• Enters and retrieves numerical and narrative data, and issues benefits from an automated computer system.
• Determines the level of benefits to which the client is entitled by making complex mathematical computations and/or complex computer entries.
• Reviews and interprets information provided on a variety of forms both by the client and third parties to assist with eligibility determinations.
• Explains a variety of health insurance plan options, costs and individual plan features.
• Monitors ongoing eligibility by obtaining periodic updated information of eligibility factors and takes appropriate actions on changes.
• Determines need for additional services and makes referrals as needed for employment and other services to outside agencies; and directs clients accordingly.
• Organizes and prioritizes caseload so that necessary case records and documents are processed and updated within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy.
• Enters and maintains case records, including written narratives, forms and computer documents in a clear and readable format.
• Troubleshoots task and/or case issues to determine appropriate resolution of problems, involving Help Desk as needed; may participate in system testing and design.
• Communicates both orally and in writing with clients and others related to the initial and ongoing eligibility determination while maintaining confidentiality.
• Responds to questions and complaints of clients in person, by telephone, mail and/or email communication.
• Provides pertinent forms and pamphlets to clients as required.
• Identifies suspected fraud and makes referrals for investigation.
• Makes referrals to social service workers as needed.
• May provide services to drop‑in clients, perform local help desk functions, provide lead direction and training to unit staff and assist with the more complicated cases, or perform specialized assignments in the areas of investigations, quality assurance and control, and fair hearings.
• Participates in special projects, studies, work assignments, meetings, conferences and committees.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

One (1) year of full‑time experience performing journey level duties in the Eligibility Specialist II classification in Mendocino County, or one (1) year of full‑time experience performing journey level duties in the (equivalent) Eligibility Specialist II or Eligibility Worker II classification in an Inter‑Agency Merit System (IMS) or Approved Local Merit System (ALMS) county.

Some positions may require possession of special language and culture skills as a bona fide qualifications standard. In these cases, candidates must demonstrate that they possess the required skills.

Valid Driver's License

• General goals and purpose of public social services programs.
• Laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing eligibility for diverse public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
• Methods and techniques of conducting an investigative interview and information gathering.
• Principles of training and staff development.
• Modern office practices, methods, and procedures.
• Computer software programs to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare…