Eligibility Specialist

The current vacancy is in Fort Bragg.

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.

Under close supervision, Eligibility Specialist I determines the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; processes casework through automated systems; makes appropriate referrals for health, social, and/or employment services; and performs related work as required. Eligibility Specialists are expected to handle a high volume of deadline-driven tasks, and have the ability to prioritize, plan and project their work, while remaining flexible to changing priorities.

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.

• 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.
• Participates in special projects, studies, work assignments, meetings, conferences and committees.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Pattern 1:
Two (2) years of full-time experience performing clerical and/or customer service duties that include, but not limited to, data entry, filing, reception, public contact, interviewing, math computation, completion of complex forms, or eliciting information from the public;
OR

Pattern 2:
One (1) year of full-time experience determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment, veterans benefits, health programs, or other benefits;
OR

Pattern 3:
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter units in any field from an accredited college or university.

Substitution:
Qualifying…