Eligibility Specialist Trainee (Location: Modoc County)

CalHR • Alturas, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist Trainee is a classroom and on-the-job trainee level position focused on learning the regulatory and statutory requirements of multiple public assistance programs. Incumbents will receive instruction and training to determine initial and continuing eligibility for public assistance programs. They will work under close supervision to learn procedures and complex regulations, with the goal of progressing to the Eligibility Specialist I classification upon satisfactory completion of one year as a trainee. This position is located in Alturas, CA and requires in-person attendance.

Requirements

• 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 computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of record keeping practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of principles of mathematical calculations.
• Knowledge of intricacies of health insurance plans, medical health plan options and associated terminology.
• Knowledge of regulations and rules regarding household filing status related to the Affordable Care Act.
• Knowledge of cultural and human behavior, including knowledge of self, to interact effectively with clients and staff.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Knowledge of structure and content of 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.
• Knowledge of computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare documentation.
• Ability to apply the policies, procedures and programs of the County Social Services Department.
• 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 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 analyze and interpret written, numerical and verbal data from various sources.
• Ability to utilize multiple electronic information social services systems and analyze and interpret such information.
• Ability to enter and maintain data accurately and timely into a computerized system.
• 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 plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Ability to function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes.
• Ability to read, understand, apply and explain complicated and detailed correspondence, 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 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 tax filing 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 through the Affordable Care Act.
• Ability to review a variety of tax 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 assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate.
• Ability to interact with people, in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or email.
• 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 communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions and instructions.
• Pattern 1: Two (2) years of full-time clerical experience involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of forms or eliciting information from the public; OR
• Pattern 2: One year of full-time experience determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment or veterans benefits, or publicly or privately funded health, counseling or social services programs; OR
• Pattern 3: Completion of sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter college units.
• Qualifying experience or education may be combined in order to meet the above requirements.
• When combining education and experience; fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units equals six months of experience.
• Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent.
• A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their own car, provide proof of car insurance, and a DMV clearance.
• Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Position may require pre-employment drug testing, physical and fingerprinting for a background investigation.
• Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks.

Nice To Haves

• Incumbents may receive classroom instruction and/or on-the-job training prior to being assigned casework or tasks.
• Once incumbents are placed in a unit, they will continue to participate in on-the-job training and may be assigned a variety of duties, including some casework/tasks which will assist them in learning to determine initial and continuing eligibility for one or more public assistance programs.
• Trainees are given the opportunity to perform increasing levels of eligibility determination to prepare them for the entry-level Eligibility Specialist I classification.
• Incumbents are expected to progress to the entry-level Eligibility Specialist I upon satisfactory completion of one year as a trainee.
• Use of the Eligibility Specialist Trainee classification is optional, at the discretion of each County.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 computations and/or computer entries and then analyzing the results.
• Reviews and interprets information provided on a variety of forms both by the client and third parties to assist with eligibility determination.
• Evaluates clients for and answers questions on Advanced Payment Tax Credits (APTC) related to health care reform.
• Explains a variety of plan options, costs and individual plan features through Covered California.
• 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 to assist clients toward self-sufficiency 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.
• 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 and committees.
• Prepares correspondence and reports.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree