HS Client Benefit Specialist

County of Ventura; California (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Deferred Compensation

Educational Incentive

Bilingual Incentive

Merit Increases

Flexible Workweek

Vacation Accrual

Health Plans

Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

County of Ventura is seeking an HS Client Benefit Specialist to determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs. You will interview customers, collect financial and demographic information, and process applications to establish eligibility under applicable regulations.

The ideal candidate will have public service experience, strong computer skills, and the ability to manage a high-volume workload with competing deadlines.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have public service experience with interviewing customers to obtain demographics and financial information.
• Candidate should demonstrate strong computer skills and ability to navigate complex systems.
• Ability to manage a large volume of work with competing priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs under local/state/federal requirements.
• Interview customers and collect financial, employment, and demographic data to establish program eligibility.
• Process applications and coordinate with departments to ensure accurate, timely determinations.

Skills

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Business/Technical Expertise

Communication

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Customer Service

Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Information Gathering

Mathematical Reasoning

Professional Integrity & Ethics

Reading Comprehension

Relationship Building

Results Focus

Self-Management

Technology Utilization

Job description

Be part of strengthening partnerships and join Ventura County as a HS Client Benefit Specialist!

OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY

Ventura County is located on California's \"Gold Coast\", approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 20 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. The County includes 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Ventura County’s beauty and weather combined with a wonderful quality of life are among the many reasons our residents choose to call Ventura County \"home\.\"

The County of Ventura employs nearly 10,000 staff members who serve Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. Each of us has a responsibility to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace and in our communities. Our County is proud to have a diverse workforce and providing a respectful and inclusive workplace is a priority and aligns with the County’s values.

THE AGENCY

To learn about the Human Services Agency (HSA), click \"Who We Are\" to view a short video about our multiple departments.

HSA is comprised of nearly 1400 staff members who serve approximately a third of Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and assist communities by bringing these values into the workforce.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, 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 Humans Services Agency.

For an Inside Look at being a HS Client Benefit Specialist, click HERE to view a short video.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

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.

Ideal Candidates Will Possess The Following Competencies

• Adaptability & Flexibility – Responding positively to change and fluidly modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail – Accomplishing tasks thoroughly with concern for all elements involved, however small
• Business/Technical Expertise – Skillfully applying specialized job‑related knowledge
• Communication – Respectfully delivering pertinent, truthful, and timely information and comprehending information delivered by others
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving – Analyzing and evaluating information, problems, and options with logic and good judgment
• Customer Service – Ensuring consistent, responsive, and superior delivery of services to internal and external stakeholders
• Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging – Embracing the County’s commitment to valuing individuals with varied backgrounds, promoting equal access and opportunity for all, and empowering others in their unique strengths
• Information Gathering – Proactively obtaining facts and data needed to effectively answer question, solve problems, or complete projects
• Mathematical Reasoning – Performing computations and solving numerical or statistical problems
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Demonstrating high standards of conduct and consistently adhering to sound moral principles
• Reading Comprehension – understanding, analyzing, and applying written information
• Relationship Building – Developing and maintaining stable, mutually beneficial networks of cooperation among clients, coworkers, vendors, and other organizations
• Results Focus – Initiating tasks, meeting organizational goals, and committing to proficient accomplishment
• Self-Management – Exemplifying personal organization, dependability, and self-discipline
• Technology Utilization – Effectively and efficiently using electronic hardware, software applications, and other advanced tools to accomplish tasks and goals

What We Offer

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee in this position may also be eligible for the following:

• 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.
  • Employee only - $463.99 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus one dependent - $834.32 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus family - $1,024.11 per biweekly pay period
• 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.
• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link: SEIU MOU 2025-2029

Distinguishing Characteristics

Each successive level in the HS Client Benefit Specialist series is distinguished by scope of independence and responsibility. The level of position within the series is commensurate with the complexity of the tasks assigned within the discipline. Incumbents may perform work determining eligibility in multiple programs within the department and may also be reassigned to serve in other units or offices as needed by the department.

HS Client Benefit Specialist Trainee - $23.00 hourly

is a classroom and on‑job training level in which the emphasis is on learning the basic regulatory and statutory requirements. Incumbents are hired at the Trainee level and work under direct supervision while learning the necessary policies and processes for success as a Client Benefit Specialist (CBS) employee. As a CBS Trainee, employees are given smaller caseloads and 100% of their work is reviewed. As employees progress through training, the caseload increases, and the percentage of work reviewed decreases based on individual performance. Upon successful completion of the training program, employees will transition to working in an assigned office. Incumbents are expected to progress toward competency as a HS Client Benefit Specialist I upon completion of the initial training period.

HS Client Benefit Specialist I - $26.23 - $27.62 hourly

is the first level in the classification series in which the emphasis is on learning casework methods, eligibility procedures, regulations, and policies. Incumbents carry a caseload under close supervision, and are expected to progress toward competency as a HS Client Benefit Specialist II.

HS Client Benefit Specialist II - $28.99 - $30.37 hourly

is the journey‑level classification in which incumbents demonstrate working knowledge of eligibility regulations and procedures, are able to work with general rather than direct supervision, and handle more complex cases in consultation with the HS Client Benefit Specialist IV and/or Supervisor.

HS Client Benefit Specialist III - $30.37 - $33.34 hourly

is the advanced journey‑level in the classification series. Incumbents assist with complex services under the lead of the HS Client Benefit Specialist IV, demonstrate working knowledge of eligibility requirements and comprehensive knowledge of the programs associated with their primary assignment, and serve as a resource for members of their unit

HS Client Benefit Specialist Trainee/I/II/III are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and