Eligibility Specialist I - English and Bilingual (English/Spanish)
The County of Sonoma Human Services Department seeks qualified individuals to fill multiple full-time English & fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) Eligibility Specialist I positions.
The Benefits of County Employment
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $500
- Eligibility for a 5% salary increase after 1040 hours (approximately 6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a 5% salary increase every year thereafter for good work performance, until reaching the top of the salary range
- With experience and good work performance, career advancement to Eligibility Specialist II
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 holidays and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
Working as an Eligibility Specialist I (ES I)
ES I's interview clients to obtain and evaluate personal information in order to determine eligibility for benefits. ES I's must be able to adapt and respond to the ever changing regulatory requirements of public assistance programs. These positions may be assigned to a high volume call center environment in the Economic Assistance Division.
The ideal candidates for these ES I positions will possess:
- The interpersonal skills necessary to interact with, obtain information from, and provide support to clients who are in stressful life situations
- Proficient computer skills necessary to navigate department-specific software, perform data entry, and use the internet
- Initiative, and the ability to use multiple resources to provide answers to clients
- An aptitude for handling a large volume of case records and documents with precision
- Excellent time management and prioritization skills in order to successfully meet regulatory deadlines
- The willingness to receive and apply constructive feedback
- Clear and effective oral and written communication abilities
Due to rigorous paperwork demands and regulatory deadlines, the Human Services Department has instituted a classroom and on the job training program for all ES I positions, and a one-year probationary period.
The Eligibility Specialist series (I/II/Senior/Supervisor) provides an excellent career path for candidates interested in pursuing a career in public service.
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, November 9th & Wednesday, November 10th, 2021
Department Selection Interviews for Top Ranking Candidates
will be held November 29th through December 3rd, 2021
Anticipated Start Date:
Tuesday, February 8th, 2022
Bilingual Premium
Bilingual premium pay is an additional $1.15 cents per hour on top of the hourly pay rate. Fluent bilingual positions require English and Spanish language proficiency in reading, writing, and conversation. In order 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.
Minimum Qualifications
OR
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.
Special Skill Requirement: Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- 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 your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should 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.
1. An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge and abilities, which relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position.
2. A multiple-choice, written examination (weight 100%), will be conducted to further evaluate each candidate's qualifications as they relate to the position. The written examination will measure the core knowledge, skills and abilities for this position in the following areas:
- Reading Comprehension
- Analytical Ability
- Written Communication
- Mathematical Ability
- Interpersonal Relations
IMPORTANT DATES
Tentative Date for the Written Examination:
Department Selection Interviews for Top Ranking Candidates
will be held November 29th through December 3rd, 2021
Anticipated Start Date:
Tuesday, February 8th, 2022
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As the largest employer in Sonoma County, the Board of Supervisors has adopted a vaccination and testing policy to help mitigate transmission of COVID-19. All County employees will be required to either have documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on file or consent to weekly COVID-19 testing.