Eligibility Technician I/II (Desert Locations Only)

County of Riverside•Desert Hot Springs, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment will establish a candidate pool of qualified competitive applicants and will remain open until filled. Due to the nature and volume of this recruitment you will only receive correspondence if you are invited for testing and referred for an interview or when the event is complete. The County of Riverside’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Self-Sufficiency Division is recruiting for multiple bilingual and non-bilingual Eligibility Technician I/II positions for McFresh throughout the D esert Region. Desert Region: Desert Hot Springs, Banning, Indio, Coachella, Cathedral City, Mecca, and Blythe. New hire training for this classification requires a mandatory induction training class that is approximately 16-20 weeks. Interested candidates should make all necessary arrangements to ensure attendance throughout the entirety of this training class as this is an important component of being successful as an Eligibility Technician. In addition to an exciting and challenging career opportunity with DPSS Self-Sufficiency or Children's Services, the County of Riverside offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits package and actively promotes a healthy work/life balance.

Requirements

OPTION I Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination. Experience: Two years of general or specialized clerical experience.
OPTION II Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination. Experience: Two years of responsible experience that includes substantial work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, or completing complex forms.
OPTION III Education: Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with course work in social welfare, sociology, social/human services, other behavioral sciences, business/public administration, or a closely related field to the assignment. Experience: None required.
Knowledge of: Interviewing and record keeping techniques; standard office procedures and practices.
Ability to: Interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record, and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for various public assistance programs; correctly interpret the rules and regulations; speak and write effectively; maintain accurate and systematic records, establish priorities and meeting deadlines.
Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test. Experience: Twelve months of experience performing duties comparable to Riverside County's Eligibility Technician I classification.
Knowledge of: The goals of public social service agencies; the basic laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determinations for public assistance programs; interviewing and record keeping techniques; problems requiring referral to the social service staff; standard office procedures and practices; Microsoft Office.
Ability to : Interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record, and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for various public assistance programs; correctly interpret the rules and regulations governing eligibility determinations to applicants, recipients, and the general public; speak and write effectively; work with diverse populations and discuss sensitive matters; use a computer and navigate software interfaces; maintain accurate and systematic records; change focus rapidly; organize and process a high volume of work; identify problems requiring referral to other Department staff.
All candidates will be REQUIRED to take an online test as part of the application process for this position.
Candidates who indicate that they are bilingual in Spanish will be required to take and pass an un-proctored Spanish bilingual assessment.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of CalSAWs (State Automated Welfare System) as well as interviewing clients to gather information and assisting clients with completing applications; and English-Spanish bilingualism.
Working knowledge of CalSAWs (State Automated Welfare System) as well as interviewing clients to gather information and assisting clients with completing applications.

Responsibilities

Initially participate in Eligibility Technician Induction Training consisting of formalized class training and on-the-job training, which would give instruction to learn the typical duties performed by the journey level classes.
Interview applicants for, and recipients of one or more aid categories, to assist them in the completion and clarification of the application and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; conduct such interviews in the Department of Public Social Services, by phone, or in private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations outside of the Department; obtain pertinent information concerning such items as income, other financial resources, and financial obligations/debts from applicants and recipients; obtain additional information to resolve discrepancies in the applications and declarations by telephone, correspondence, or personal interviews.
Determine eligibility in accordance with established procedures; dictate or record information for case records.
Interpret program regulations and other pertinent material to applicants, recipients, and the general public.
Maintain a focus on meeting the needs of internal and external customers; develop and maintain effective relationships with others; relate well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
Obtain necessary information during phone and in-person interviews by establishing rapport, explaining the purpose of the interview, responding to customer concerns/questions, and/or asking appropriate follow-up questions.
Write information, using accurate grammar, in a manner that is clear, well-organized, and follows a logical progression to ensure the writing is tailored to the intended audience or purpose.
Use external systems, applications, search engines, and databases, including web browsers and web-based information systems to conduct research in order to determine and/or verify eligibility.
Compute amount of grant authorized and perform other similar required computations.
Prepare and maintain other documents associated with the eligibility determination process.
On the basis of observation, or of needs expressed by applicant orally or in specified locations on the applications and declaration forms, refer all applicants and recipients who appear in need of social services to designated social work staff members after completing the appropriate referral forms.