HS Client Benefit Specialist

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Human Services (HS) Client Benefit Specialist series performs operational functions related to the determination of eligibility for multiple public assistance and human services programs in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements. This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies within the Human Services Agency. The ideal candidate will have public service experience which includes interviewing customers/clients to obtain financial, employment, and personal demographic information, and processing applications to establish eligibility for services and benefits. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent computer skills and the ability to navigate with ease through complex computer systems. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a fast-paced environment, will successfully manage a large volume of work with competing priorities and deadlines. Additionally, the ideal candidate will excel in collaborating with co-workers at various levels in different departments, will be able to work well independently, and will have excellent organization, attention to detail, and time management skills.

Requirements

Beginner proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and email platforms, such as Outlook
Excellent written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Some positions may require possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license prior to appointment.
May require flexible schedules, including evenings, at designated service locations to ensure adequate staffing coverage during extended hours to accommodate customer needs.
HS Client Benefit Specialist Trainee: At least two years of responsible experience that includes substantial work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of complex forms or eliciting information from the public (some examples of comparable experience may include experience within a call center, personnel office, employment office, unemployment office, disability insurance office, worker's compensation office, social security office, physician's office, insurance firm, social service agency, clerical, or similar): OR Completion of college coursework may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis (30 semester or 45 quarter units per year of experience).
HS Client Benefit Specialist I: Successful completion of at least three (3) to five and a half (5.5) months as a HS Client Benefit Specialist (CBS) Trainee; OR at least six (6) months of experience determining eligibility for public assistance in a public human services agency or comparable case management experience.
HS Client Benefit Specialist II: One (1) year of experience determining eligibility for public assistance in a public human services agency in the State of California, at the CBS I level.
HS Client Benefit Specialist III: Two (2) years of experience determining eligibility for public assistance in a public human services agency in the State of California, at the CBS I/II level.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
Experience working in a team environment.
Demonstrated skills in time management and organization.
Experience in a fast-paced, high volume work environment.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants and/or recipients of public assistance programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, General Relief, CalWORKs, and Foster Care to obtain household composition, financial, employment, and personal demographic information to determine initial or continued eligibility.
Explain services, benefits, program requirements and governmental procedures individually and/or in group settings; may provide assistance in the agency resource centers.
Assess financial, personal and social information to determine applicant need, validate the system-determined benefit, and authorize issuance of benefits in a timely manner in accordance with regulatory and system deadlines, and local, state and federal compliance regulations, as well as internal performance standards.
Contact individuals, public and private agencies, businesses, and other resources to verify information by telephone, mail, or home visits.
Process applications, forms and reports, enter case information and record contacts into automated systems, and maintain paper and electronic case files.
Review electronic and hard copy case records to determine basis of eligibility, benefit computation, compliance with program policies and procedures.
Prepare a variety of written correspondence related to client eligibility, activity, and services provided.
Provide client information to Agency case management staff in various departments, where appropriate, in an integrated, collaborative effort.
Determine need for additional services and provide appropriate referrals and follow-up.
As authorized, represent the Agency on related committees and taskforce groups.
Assist in the training and development of new Client Benefit Specialist employees (CBS II/III).
Assist with the more difficult eligibility problems and/or perform special assignments (CBS II/III).
Prepare and/or assist in the development of correspondence and reports (CBS II/III).
Assist in conducting regular case reviews to assure compliance with regulations and procedures (CBS III).
Mentor new employees, provide consultation to less experienced employees, and serve as a resource person for co-workers (CBS III).
Provide occasional back-up for co-workers (CBS III).
Assist in development and presentation of training for less experienced personnel (CBS III).
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
Bilingual Incentive – Based on agency need, proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
Merit Increases – New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
Flexible Workweek – We support work life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 workweek) subject to organizational needs, satisfactory performance, and completion of a probationary period.
Vacation Accrual – New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
Sick Leave - Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
Health Plans – Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $26,626.86 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
Annual Leave Redemption – After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
Holidays - 13 paid days per year which, includes a scheduled floating holiday.
Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.