Eligibility Specialist I

County of Sonoma (CA); Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Telework

Bilingual Premium Pay

Paid Time Off

Health premium contributions

Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement

Retirement

Paid Parental Leave

Dental/vision/life insurance

Student Loan Debt Relief

Advancement to ES II

Job summary

The County of Sonoma Human Services Department invites you to join our team as an Eligibility Specialist I. You will interview clients to determine eligibility for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other programs, with training and a structured progression toward eligibility specialist II.

Bilingual applicants earn a $1.50/hour premium, and a comprehensive benefits package supports work-life balance. Starting salary and benefits reflect public service commitments and opportunities for career advancement

Qualifications

• Exceptional interpersonal/customer service skills necessary to interact with, obtain information from, and provide support to clients who are in stressful life situations in person and in a call center environment
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to navigate department-specific software, perform data entry, and use the internet
• Strong math skills with the ability to perform precise calculations
• Critical problem-solving skills and the ability to independently utilize multiple resources to provide comprehensive answers and support to clients to complete daily work
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills to successfully meet regulatory deadlines and accurately process large quantities of work
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Interview clients to obtain information and determine eligibility for benefits
• Evaluate personal information to determine eligibility for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other programs
• Adapt to regulatory changes and work in a high-volume call center environment
• Assist in ensuring accurate and timely processing of caseloads

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Data entry

Computer skills

Mathematics

Problem solving

Time management

Communication

Education

60 semester units

Clerical experience

Eligibility determination experience

Tools

Office software

Job description

Be a part of this exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team as an Eligibility Specialist I

and help our community's most underserved members!

Starting salary at $32.53/hour ($67,894/year), plus a competitive total compensation package*, and an additional $1.50/hour for fluent bilingual assignments!

The County of Sonoma Human Services Department (HSD) seeks qualified individuals to fill multiple full-time monolingual English and fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) Eligibility Specialist I positions.

Working as an Eligibility Specialist I (ES I)

Eligibility Specialists in the Human Services Department interview clients to obtain and evaluate personal information to determine eligibility for benefits, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other health insurance programs. ES I's continually adapt and respond to the regulatory requirement changes within the public assistance system. These positions may be assigned to a high-volume call center environment. To learn more about the Eligibility Specialist I position, please watch this short video:

The ideal candidates for ES I positions will possess many of the following:

• Exceptional interpersonal/customer service skills necessary to interact with, obtain information from, and provide support to clients who are in stressful life situations in person and in a call center environment
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to navigate department-specific software, perform data entry, and use the internet
• Strong math skills with the ability to perform precise calculations
• Critical problem-solving skills and the ability to independently utilize multiple resources to provide comprehensive answers and support to clients to complete daily work
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills to successfully meet regulatory deadlines and accurately process large quantities of work
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills

Due to rigorous paperwork demands and regulatory deadlines, HSD has instituted a multiple-week classroom and on the job training program for all ES I positions, and a one-year probationary period. During the probationary period there will be scheduled assessments to determine aptitude/comprehension of the material to ensure success in the position.

The Eligibility Specialist series (I/II/Senior/Supervisor) provides an excellent career path for candidates interested in pursuing a career in public service.

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department’s mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.

HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Bilingual Premium Pay* - An additional $1.50 on top of the hourly pay rate for fluent bilingual positions
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
• Advancement Opportunity - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to an Eligibility Specialist II (Starting salary at $35.43/hour)

Important Dates

Tentative Date for the Written Examination: Monday, November 9th and/or Tuesday, November 10th, 2026

Department Selection Interviews for Top Ranking Candidates: The week of November 16th through the week of November 30th, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: Tuesday, February 2nd, 2027

Bilingual Premium

Fluent bilingual premium pay is an additional $1.50 per hour on top of the hourly pay rate. Fluent bilingual positions require English and Spanish language proficiency in reading, writing, and conversation. To be considered for bilingual assignments, applicants must indicate their ability level on their application and in their response to the required supplemental questionnaire. A bilingual examination will be conducted prior to employment to confirm level of skill. Bilingual premium pay begins after completion of the training period and upon the assignment of a bilingual caseload.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified candidates who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Experience and Education

Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include:

• Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units at an accredited college including at least 9 semester or 12 quarter units in business, accounting, math, computer science, or behavioral science;
• OR
• Two years of full-time experience performing clerical duties, including substantial public contact with clients and basic interviewing for the purpose of gathering information and explaining policies or clarifying information needed;
• OR
• One year of full-time experience with responsibility for determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment, veterans' benefits, insurance benefits, health benefits and/or providing tax assistance or social services programs would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The positions advertised on this announcement do not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Special Skill Requirement: Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English.

Knowledge of

laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and determination for diverse public assistance programs which include Medi-Cal, private health insurance, and one or more additional public assistance and human service programs and related case administrative techniques; general goals and specific regulations, policies, and procedures of public assistance programs; applicable IRS tax forms; medical insurance and terminology associated with health plan options; complex mathematical calculations; tax regulations, rules, terminology, forms, and household filing status; methods and techniques of conducting an investigative interview; principles and practices of effective customer service; principles of cultural and human behavior required to deal effectively with clients and staff; the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; the economic and social problems that call for the use of public assistance programs; public and private social service agencies and other community resources available to meet clients' needs; modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and programs, project, and task coordination; computers and software programs to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation; basic recordkeeping and general office practices and procedures.

Ability to

analyze client needs; identify resources and services in the community, develop an effective course of action; understand and correctly apply complex applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; evaluate information and determine appropriate action in conjunction with complex rules and regulations; explain health insurance plan options and plan details available through private health insurance to clients; review a variety of tax documents to obtain needed household filing information; explain Advanced Premium Tax Credit implications to clients; accurately complete complex mathematical computations; refer clients to other community services as needed; assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations and call for intervention when appropriate; work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion; function effectively in a system with pressure and constant changes; keep lead and/or supervisor informed of progress, problems, work efforts, and results and make effective use of supervision; interpret and explain written directives and regulations; interpret social service programs to applicants, recipients, departmental staff, public and private agencies, community based organizations, and the general public; speak, read, write, and comprehend English at a level sufficient to communicate clearly and concisely and to explain complex regulations and policies in plain language, both orally and in writing, to persons from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds; develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, departmental staff, public and private agencies, community based organizations, and the general public; effectively use computer systems, applications, and modern business equipment and systems to perform a variety of work tasks; analyze and effectively utilize electronic information systems data.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

We also want to ensure inclusivity: The County values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.