THIS RECRUITMENT IS PROMOTIONAL ONLY. YOU MUST PRESENTLY BE A FULL- OR PART-TIME REGULAR OR PROBATIONARY COUNTY OF SONOMA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, SONOMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, OR SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY EMPLOYEE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.
The Human Services Department (HSD) has requested a department promotional certification to fill three Senior Eligibility Specialist positions. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary HSD employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised positions.
Senior Eligibility Specialists in Economic Assistance determine eligibility and perform case management for complex or specialized cases and assist junior Eligibility Specialists with the resolution of eligibility determination and grant maintenance challenges. These positions will also:
- Interpret policies, rules, and regulations for clients and the general public
- Perform specialized assignments, which require considerable inter-program knowledge of eligibility regulations, policies, and procedures
- Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to new hires; and may back-up supervisors as needed
- Perform quality assurance by reviewing casework, and conducting desk reviews and monitoring customer service interactions between staff and clients
- Communicate with clients and diffuse difficult situations in person and on the phone
- Distribute work to staff in a fair and equitable manner
Positions may also be assigned to work independently in out-stationed settings, in order to provide subject matter expertise related to Medi-Cal, General Assistance, CalFresh, and/or the County Medical Services Program.
The Ideal Senior Eligibility Specialist candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of the Affordable Care Act, Covered California, and the CalHEERs Program, and possess strong communication skills and the ability to work with people with a variety of personalities. Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are desired but not required.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include:
One year of full-time experience performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Specialist II.
OR
Three years of full-time experience performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Worker II including experience assessing eligibility for Medi-Cal and/or private health insurance. Experience assessing eligibility for both Medi-Cal and private health insurance is highly desirable.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Special Skill Requirement: Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English
Considerable knowledge of: laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and determination for diverse public assistance programs related to Medi-Cal, private health insurance plans, and other public assistance and human service programs and related case administrative processes and procedures; principle sources of information necessary to establish eligibility of applicants or recipients for various public assistance programs including Medi-Cal, private health insurance plans, and other public assistance and human service programs; methods and techniques of conducting an investigative interview; principles and practices of effective customer service.
Working knowledge of: principles and techniques of leadership, training, and staff development; general goals and specific regulations, policies, and procedures of public assistance programs; health insurance plans and medical health plan options and associated terminology; tax regulations, rules, terminology, forms, and household filing status; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; principles of cultural and human behavior required to deal effectively with clients and staff; mediation techniques required to resolve competing or conflicting interests; the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, punctuation, and grammar; modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination; computers and software programs (e.g. Microsoft software packages) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation; techniques for developing effective working relationships with the public, other governmental agencies, and other personnel.
Knowledge of: supervisory techniques and practices, training program design, materials development, and presentation; economic and social problems that call for the use of public assistance programs.
Ability to: lead and direct the work of others; perform complex, responsible, and difficult technical administrative work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative; plan, organize, and coordinate the work of technical and administrative support personnel; interpret and explain complex rules, regulations, and revisions affecting the eligibility determination and case management processes; conduct training for a variety of social service programs utilizing clear and concise materials and terms understandable to the targeted audience; determine eligibility and grant maintenance for the more difficult and complex cases; evaluate information and determine appropriate action in conjunction with learned rules and regulations; explain complex rules, regulations, and health insurance plan options and details in clear language to ensure clients' understanding; review a variety of tax documents to obtain needed household filing information; explain Advanced Premium Tax Credit implications to clients; conduct and control an investigatory interview effectively in a variety of settings; detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations; determine appropriate course of action in emergencies; accurately complete complex mathematical computations; refer clients to other appropriate services as needed; assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; know when to and call for intervention when appropriate; work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion; keep supervisor informed of progress, problems, work efforts, and results and make effective use of supervision; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of business (e.g., staff, the public, and other agencies); speak, read, and write English at a level sufficient to communicate clearly and concisely and explain complex regulations and policies in plain language, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax with persons from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds; effectively use computer systems, applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.