Eligibility Specialist III - Los Angeles, United States - CalHR

Description

The Eligibility Specialist III is the advanced journey/lead-level classification and subject matter expert in the Eligibility Specialist series.

Incumbents perform the most complex work and specialized assignments requiring an advanced level of technical knowledge in public assistance programs, departmental processes and caseload/workload administration.

Incumbents are expected to independently perform specialized and/or complex duties beyond the journey-level classification of the series.

In addition, incumbents may perform help desk functions, provide training to a unit of workers determining eligibility for public assistance and/or serve as a lead worker for less experienced employees.

Incumbents demonstrate advanced knowledge of eligibility regulations, procedures and eligibility software systems.

Other assignments may include performing quality control and/or quality assurance reviews, participating in early fraud prevention programs, representing the County in administrative appeals and fair hearings and/or performing other specialized assignments and related work as required.

The Eligibility Specialist III differs from the Eligibility Supervisor in that the latter directly supervises a unit of Eligibility Specialists.

The class of Eligibility Specialist III is distinguished from the Eligibility Specialist II as the latter requires a higher level of supervision and the Eligibility Specialist III is assigned lead specialist duties or special assignments with a greater degree of independent judgment.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Incumbents in the Eligibility Specialist III classification receive supervision from an Eligibility Supervisor or other manager.

An Eligibility Specialist III has no responsibility for direct supervision of others, but may provide lead direction to other Eligibility Specialists.

Provides lead direction and/or training to a unit of workers determining eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs
Provides support to supervisor with unit operations and coverage
Performs interactive interviews to elicit eligibility information, obtain and/or verify financial, employment, tax and personal demographic information and identify need for public assistance programs and services
Assists in the development and implementation of procedures for public assistance programs
Analyzes financial and eligibility information to determine initial or continuing eligibility for multiple aid programs
May provide services to drop-in clients, perform local help desk functions, provide lead direction and training to unit staff and assist with the more complicated cases, or perform specialized assignments in the areas of investigations, quality assurance and control and fair hearings
Explains regulations, rules and policies to clients and apprises them of their rights, responsibilities and eligibility for participation
Ensures accuracy and completion of application and declaration forms
Resolves discrepancies by securing documentation, medical records and confirmation from other agencies
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 determination
Evaluates clients for and answers questions on Advanced Payment Tax Credits (APTC) related to health care reform
Explains a variety of plan options, costs and individual plan features through Covered California
Monitors on-going 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 to assist clients toward self-sufficiency and directs clients accordingly
Organizes and prioritizes caseload/workload so that necessary case records and documents are processed and updated within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy
Completes 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
Prepares correspondence and reports
Performs related duties as assigned

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:
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
Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement
Principles of training and staff development
Modern office practices, methods and procedures
Record keeping practices and procedures
Principles of mathematical calculations
Intricacies of health insurance plans and medical health plan options and associated terminology
Regulations and rules regarding household filing status related to the Affordable Care Act
Cultural and human behavior, including knowledge of self, to interact effectively with clients and staff
Principles and practices of effective customer service
Structure and content of 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
Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare documentation

Ability to:
Lead, direct and train other eligibility staff
Evaluate and make appropriate recommendations and corrections on selected cases
Determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations
Apply the laws, rules and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs
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
Make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs
Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations
Analyze and interpret written, numerical and verbal data from various sources
Utilize multiple electronic information, social services systems and analyze and interpret such information
Enter data accurately into a computerized system
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
Plan and organize caseload/workload to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness
Function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes
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
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 IRS tax filing 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 through the Affordable Care Act
Review a variety of tax documents to obtain needed household filing information
Explain health care reform tax credit implications to clients
Refer clients to other community services as needed
Assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate
Interact with people, in a courteous manner, both in person, on the telephone, by mail or email communication
Work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff
Follow written and oral directions and instructions
One (1) year full time experience in an Eligibility Specialist II classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) County;


OR
Three (3) years of full time experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs in a public human services agency.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their own car, provide proof of car insurance, and a DMV clearance.

Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Position may require pre-employment drug testing, physical and fingerprinting for a background investigation.

Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information.

Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks.

State agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

If you would like to request Veteran's preference points as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD-214 form to your application.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification.

Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score.

In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.

Examination administration and processing time is approximately 30 days after the closing date of the job bulletin.


ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Monterey.

The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.


SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at or upon notification that your application has been approved.

Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application.

Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent.

Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.


GENERAL INFORMATION

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change.

Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.

General Qualifications:

Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

ABOUT MARIPOSA COUNTY

Mariposa County is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with the central portion of Yosemite National Park comprising the eastern section of the County.

There are no incorporated cities or even any traffic signals in the countyit is instead known for its amazing scenery, outdoor attractions, and history made famous by the California Gold Rush in the 1800's.

"Mariposa," translates to "butterflies" from Spanish, and the town of Mariposa was so named by Spanish explorers because of the vast clusters of butterflies found there.

In honor of this, each year in May, residents commemorate the annual arrival of the migrating monarch butterflies with a "Butterfly Days" festival and parade.

The county is an amazing place to call "home"a key objective is to maintain clean water, wildlife preservation, healthy ecosystems, clean air, and a fire-safe environment.

The climate is sunny and comfortable for much of the year.

The area's spectacular scenery, a multitude of things to enjoy, including fishing, hiking, gold panning, arts and culture, spas, breweries and more, and its historic roots make this a sought-after place of residence as well as a popular vacation destination.

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