Eligibility Specialist I

COUNTY OF MENDOCINO; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

COUNTY OF MENDOCINO in Fort Bragg seeks an Eligibility Specialist I to determine client eligibility for public assistance programs under supervision. The role emphasizes interactive interviews, data verification, and timely case processing. A 5% regional assignment premium applies for coastal area staff.

The position requires strong mathematical ability, data entry accuracy, and bilingual English/Spanish communication. Health program knowledge and proficiency with automated systems are valued.

Qualifications

• Experience performing interactive interviews and data collection.
• Experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Ability to reconcile data across multiple systems.
• Knowledge of health insurance plan options and related terminology.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interactive interviews to determine eligibility for public assistance.
• Analyze financial/eligibility information for initial or ongoing eligibility.
• Enter and retrieve data in automated systems and issue benefits.
• Explain regulations and client rights, responsibilities, and program options.
• Maintain and organize case records within required timeframes.

Skills

Interactive interviewing

Data entry

Customer service

Mathematical calculations

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Two years clerical experience

One year eligibility experience

60 semester / 90 quarter units

Tools

Automated data systems

Help Desk

System testing & design

Job description

The current vacancy is in Fort Bragg.

Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Under close supervision, Eligibility Specialist I determines the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; processes casework through automated systems; makes appropriate referrals for health, social, and/or employment services; and performs related work as required. Eligibility Specialists are expected to handle a high volume of deadline driven tasks, and have the ability to prioritize, plan and project their work, while remaining flexible to changing priorities.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.

Job Requirements And Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• 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.
• Reconciles data through multiple data systems, ensuring all data is matched.
• 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.
• Initiates a total-household assistance case.
• 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 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 ongoing 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.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience

Pattern 1: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing clerical and/or customer service duties that include, but are not limited to, data entry, filing, reception, public contact, interviewing, math computation, completion of complex forms, or eliciting information from the public; OR

Pattern 2: One (1) year of full-time experience determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment, veterans benefits, health programs, or other benefits; OR

Pattern 3: Successful completion of sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter units in any field from an accredited college or university.

Substitution

Qualifying experience or education may be combined in order to meet the above requirements. When combining education and experience, fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units may be substituted for six months of the required experience.

(Example: 15/22.5 units = 6 months 30/45 units = 1 year 45/67.5 units = 1 ½ years)

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.

Licenses And Certifications

Valid Driver's License

Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General goals and purpose of public social services programs.
• Laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing eligibility for diverse public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
• Methods and techniques of conducting an investigative interview and information gathering.
• Modern office practices, methods, and procedures.
• Computer software programs to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare documentation.
• Record keeping practices and procedures.
• Principles of mathematical calculations.
• Intricacies of health insurance plans and medical health plan options and associated terminology.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Cultural and human behavior, including knowledge of self, to interact effectively with clients and staff.
• Structure and content for the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project and task coordination.

Skill In

• Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
• Enter and maintain data accurately and timely into a computerized system.
• Plan and organize caseload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Read, understand, apply, and explain complicated and detailed correspondence and reports, regulations, and policy directives.
• Perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar and syntax.
• Interact with people in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or e-mail communication.
• Assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.

Mental And Physical Abilities

• Apply the policies, procedures, and programs of the County Social Services branch.
• Apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments.
• Evaluate and make appropriate recommendations and corrections on selected cases.
• Identify available resources, and communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
• Use fact finding techniques and perform in-depth and interactive interviewing.
• Determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations.
• Make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
• Utilize multiple electronic information, social services systems and analyze and interpret such information.
• Navigate through computer screens and effectively use computer systems, software applications and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Identify when computer output is incorrect and make corrections.
• Process cases manually as required.
• Function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes.
• Explain complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Gather, record and correctly evaluate data, income and additional necessary information required for the determination of eligibility for one or more programs.
• Explain health insurance plan options and plan details available to clients.
• Review a variety of documents to obtain needed household filing information.
• Explain health care reform tax credit implications to clients.
• Refer clients to other community services as needed.
• Work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion.
• Follow written and oral directions and instructions.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

SALARY

Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT

Covered Under Social Security And The 1937 Act; Both Employees And The County Pay Into The Retirement Fund. For The Most Current Information Regarding County Retirement Please Go To https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE

Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 – 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION

Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE

Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE

The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE

For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS

For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.