Eligibility Technician I

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION. If you completed an application for this recruitment when it first opened in February of 2013 and were not successful on that recruitment, you must contact the HR Analyst, Ione Bell at via email ione.bell@acgov.org and request that your application be released back to you. Otherwise, the system will not allow you to submit an application.  If you have your application released back to you it is critical that you submit it again prior to the deadline of July 3, 2013, 5:00 p.m. The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the eligible list and you choose to reapply you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. This list may be canceled at any time without notice to candidates. Please contact human resources if you would like additional information. APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.  APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY.

 

The Alameda County Social Services Agency is comprised of 2,400 men and women working collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Services are provided through five departments: Agency Administration and Finance, Adult, Aging and Medical Services, Children and Family Services, Workforce and Benefit Administration and Policy Office.

The Agency assists approximately 11.3 percent of Alameda County's residents. Benefits programs contribute over $278 million to the local economy through cash assistance and CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps). Every month, more than 52,000 people receive CalWORKs (assistance for families with children), CalFresh and General Assistance. Every month health insurance is made available to more than 78,000 people through the Medi-Cal program. More than 11,000 frail, elderly and disabled individuals receive in-home care, adult protection and support managing their affairs monthly and 16,000 seniors will receive services through the Area Agency on Aging throughout the year. 3,700 children are in foster care. More than 1,600 reports of child abuse or neglect are filed with SSA each month. Emergency shelter is made available to 415 people nightly.

Under general supervision, to receive on-the-job training in eligibility determination; to assist in the completion of applications; to compute budgets; to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Incumbents of positions in this class receive training in determining initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance. Incumbents are instructed in the organization, function, and policies of the Social Services Agency in addition to learning the rules and laws governing eligibility for various aid programs. Training and supervision is received from a Supervising Eligibility Technician who assigns and reviews the work of a group of Eligibility Technicians. Incumbents complete applications, determine eligibility, and compute budgets for applicants. Eligibility Technician I’s normally promote to Eligibility Technician II’s after six months of experience. Eligibility Technician II’s are expected to process applications independently, including the complex and unusual ones, subject to review by a Supervising Eligibility Technician.

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Clerk II or higher level clerical class in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts).

Or II

The equivalent of two years full-time clerical experience which involved public contact AND at least one of the following duties:

Either

Interviewing,

Or

General clerical work involving a broad range of duties at the journey level,

Or

The processing of documents relating to financial or personal histories of clients,

Or

Assisting the public with the completion of forms or correspondence.

Or III

Satisfactory completion of either 60 semester units or 90 quarter units at an accredited college or university, plus the equivalent of six months of full-time clerical experience which involved public contact and at least one of the clerical duties listed above under Pattern II.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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

The Social Services Agency works collectively and in partnership with community based organizations to serve the needs of individuals, families and communities within Alameda County.  The Agency provides public assistance benefits to low-income individuals and families.  Eligibility Technicians are specialist in determining initial and continuing eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs. Eligibility Technician I is the entry level of the Eligibility Technician series.  The Eligibility Technician I is required to participate in specific training classes in preparation of learning effective interviewing techniques, appropriate computerized case management systems and Federal, State and County regulatory requirements.

 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the position of Eligibility Technician I must have excellent customer service skills and is familiar working face-to-face or over the phone with individuals who may be in crisis situations.   The candidate is an effective communicator, quickly grasps new concepts and is able to disseminate information accurately and quickly to Social Services applicants and recipients.   The candidate has demonstrative skills using computers and window’s based software; the candidate is able to:

• Perform clerical work that involves independent judgment and requires accuracy and speed.
• Make accurate arithmetical computations.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written directions.
• Work well with culturally diverse employees and clients.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures, including business correspondence, record keeping and filing.

Abilities:

• Performing clerical work that involves independent judgment and requires accuracy and speed.
• Spelling correctly.
• Communicating well orally and in writing.
• Making accurate arithmetical computations.
• Understanding and following complex oral and written directions.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationship with the public.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced selection process.

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 governed under the provisions of the California Government Code and  is commonly referred to as a 1937 Act retirement system. County retirement is based upon several factors including but not limited to one’s age upon entrance into the retirement system, the year entrance occurred, contributions made into the retirement system, compensation and years of service. Specific questions regarding the County’s retirement system should be directed to the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association.   

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.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.

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.