Eligibility Specialist III

County of Mendocino•Ukiah, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under limited supervision, Eligibility Specialist III determines the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; processing casework through automated systems; makes appropriate referrals for health, social and/or employment services; and performs related work as required. Incumbents in this class perform the most complex work and specialized assignments requiring an advanced level of technical knowledge in public assistance programs, departmental processes and caseload administration. 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.

Requirements

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 Interagency Merit System (IMS) or Approved Local Merit Systems (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
Knowledge of general goals and purpose of public social services programs.
Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing eligibility for diverse public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of conducting an investigative interview and information gathering.
Knowledge of principles of training and staff development.
Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and procedures.
Knowledge of computer software programs to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare documentation.
Knowledge of record keeping practices and procedures.
Knowledge of principles of mathematical calculations.
Knowledge of intricacies of health insurance plans and medical health plan options and associated terminology.
Knowledge of principles and practices of effective customer service.
Knowledge of cultural and human behavior, including knowledge of self, to interact effectively with clients and staff.
Knowledge of structure and content for the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project and task coordination.
Ability to analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
Ability to enter and maintain data accurately and timely into a computerized system.
Ability to plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain complicated and detailed correspondence and reports, regulations, and policy directives.
Ability to perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar and syntax.
Ability to interact with people in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or e-mail communication.
Ability to assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
Ability to lead, direct, and train other eligibility staff.
Ability to apply the policies, procedures, and programs of the County Social Services branch.
Ability to apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments.
Ability to evaluate and make appropriate recommendations and corrections on selected cases.
Ability to identify available resources, and communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
Ability to use fact finding techniques and perform in-depth and interactive interviewing.
Ability to determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations.
Ability to make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs.
Ability to detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
Ability to utilize multiple electronic information, social services systems and analyze and interpret such information.
Ability to navigate through computer screens and effectively use computer systems, software applications and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Ability to identify when computer output is incorrect and make corrections.
Ability to process cases manually as required.
Ability to function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes.
Ability to explain complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Ability to gather, record and correctly evaluate data, income and additional necessary information required for the determination of eligibility for one or more programs.
Ability to explain health insurance plan options and plan details available to clients.
Ability to review a variety of documents to obtain needed household filing information.
Ability to explain health care reform tax credit implications to clients.
Ability to refer clients to other community services as needed.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion.
Ability to follow written and oral directions and instructions.
While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

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.