Eligibility Specialist Supervisor

County of Mendocino•Ukiah, CA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

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. The current vacancy is in Ukiah. Under limited supervision, Eligibility Specialist Supervisor plans, organizes, and supervises the work of a unit, ensuring adequate coverage and equitable caseload/workload among staff members engaged in determining eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; identifies staff training needs; conducts performance evaluations and recommends disciplinary measures; analyzes cases to ensure accuracy of decisions and timeliness of processing; handles specialized caseloads; assists with difficult program cases and makes final processing decisions in relation to such cases; assists in program development and management; and performs related work as required. Most working supervisors also spend a substantial portion of their time performing the most difficult and complex work of the section or unit; and perform other specialized assignments. Supervisor Academy is mandatory for all supervisors and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Requirements

Pattern 1: One (1) year of full-time experience performing advanced journey level duties in the Eligibility Specialist III or Employment and Training Worker III classification with Mendocino County, or one (1) year of full-time experience performing advanced journey level duties in the (equivalent) Eligibility Specialist III, Eligibility Worker III, or Employment and Training Worker III classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) or Approved Local Merit Systems (ALMS) county.
Pattern 2: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing journey level duties in the Eligibility Specialist II or Employment and Training Worker II classification with Mendocino County, or two (2) years of full-time experience performing journey level duties in the (equivalent) Eligibility Specialist II, Eligibility Worker II, or Employment and Training 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 is preferred but not required.
Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Knowledge of general goals and purpose of public social services programs.
Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management.
Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing eligibility for diverse public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
Knowledge of policies, procedures and programs of the county Social Services branch.
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.
Skill to analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
Skill to enter and maintain data accurately and timely into a computerized system.
Skill to plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
Skill to read, understand, apply, and explain complicated and detailed correspondence and reports, regulations, and policy directives.
Skill to perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
Skill to prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
Skill to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar and syntax.
Skill to interact with people in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or e-mail communication.
Skill to assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate.
Skill to establish and cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Exercise sound judgment when organizing, directing and prioritizing unit activities.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Select, train, supervise, evaluate, and discipline subordinate staff.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Interpret and explain regulations and policy directives.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Apply the policies, procedures, and programs of the County Social Services branch.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Evaluate and make appropriate recommendations and corrections on selected cases.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Identify available resources, and communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Use fact finding techniques and perform in-depth and interactive interviewing.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Utilize multiple electronic information, social services systems and analyze and interpret such information.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Navigate through computer screens and effectively use computer systems, software applications and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Identify when computer output is incorrect and make corrections.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Process cases manually as required.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Explain complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Gather, record and correctly evaluate data, income and additional necessary information required for the determination of eligibility for one or more programs.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Explain health insurance plan options and plan details available to clients.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Review a variety of documents to obtain needed household filing information.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Explain health care reform tax credit implications to clients.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Refer clients to other community services as needed.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Follow written and oral directions and instructions.

Nice To Haves

Supervisor Academy is mandatory for all supervisors and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Responsibilities

Plans, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of a unit of employees determining eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs.
Selects, trains, evaluates, and disciplines subordinate staff.
Provides direction to staff on implementation of policy and procedures.
Holds individual and group conferences to discuss or interpret rules, regulations and policies.
Confers with workers regarding discrepancies in the system.
Determines need for training and oversight and provides appropriate training and direction.
Analyzes cases to ensure accuracy of decisions and timeliness of processing; provides technical support to staff in case processing.
Ensures that regulatory and automated system deadlines are met in a timely manner in accordance with local, state, and federal compliance regulations, as well as internal performance standards.
Represents the department at meetings, attends conferences, and participates in studies and research projects as assigned.
Interviews complainants and addresses performance and personnel problems.
Receives and prepares correspondence and required reports relating to unit activity and other matters.
Assists in the development and implementation of procedures for public assistance programs.
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 on-going 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.