Call Center Representative, DCSS

The Alameda County Department of Child Support Services is looking to hire several Call Center Representatives to staff its new, regional call center.  The ideal candidate will have an excellent customer service track record, innate interpersonal skills and preferably be bilingual, Spanish-speaking.

Under direct supervision, provide customer service in a call center environment. This includes greeting customers, establishing rapport, projecting a professional tone, looking up case information in various computer databases and answering questions based on that information. Incumbents record pertinent information in the computer system resulting from the call and complete other related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

These positions are located in the Alameda County Department of Child Support Services (ACDCSS) and are supervised by a Call Center Supervisor. Positions allocated to this class series differ from other classifications in that the primary functions of this position are to provide customer service in a call center environment and perform limited clerical or administrative functions, whereas the Child Support Assistant series is primarily involved in clerical and administrative support and requires a wider range of knowledge.

Education:

Graduation from high school, or possession of a certificate of proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or possession of a G.E.D. certificate

AND
Experience:
Either I

The equivalent of six months of full time experience in the class of Clerk I or in an equivalent or higher level-clerical class in Alameda County classified service (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts). This experience must have been in a position in which the majority of duties involved direct customer service to the public, either in person or over the phone.

Or II

The equivalent of one year of full time experience in a call center position

Or III
Experience:

Any combination of training, education and experience that will provide the knowledges and abilities listed below.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to type at a minimum of 40 words per minute from clear copy

A thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted of all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure they are suitable for Child Support related work. A felony conviction will be disqualifying

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Business arithmetic
• Laws, regulations, and codes governing the access to, and use of, confidential information and legal documents
• Legal terminology applicable to child support documents
• Techniques and practices for dealing with individuals from various social-economic and ethnic groups, in person, via telephone, and through correspondence (including stressful contacts with irate and hostile individuals)


Ability to:

• Work under pressure in a high volume call center environment
• Use a multi-line, call center, phone system
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, peers, other agencies, and the public
• Maintain confidentiality
• Learn specific operations and procedures of job
• Contribute to the overall team effort to meet and exceed call center performance goals (this includes quantitative and qualitative goals which are set by the department)
• Prioritize calls to meet individual and team goals
• Respond to customer inquiries within established turnaround times
• Evaluate and control problematic situations and offer solutions
• Diffuse hostile client callers
• Listen, understand, follow and communicate oral and written directions and apply them effectively in a variety of situations
• Use sound judgment when evaluating a wide variety of information. Identify alternatives from diverse sources and choose the best solution from several options, then initiate appropriate actions within prescribed guidelines
• Respond to a constant influx of telephone calls
• Effectively communicate verbally while using excellent telephone etiquette skills
• Effectively communicate in writing; including accurate spelling, proper grammar, punctuation, and correct vocabulary

Newspec: 1154
RE:cs 10/19/11
CSC Date: 11/02/11

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

 

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

 

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act systems. The County’s retirement is based on one’s age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County’s portion vesting after five years of employment.
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster. 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.