THE JOB: Under
general supervision, determines initial eligibility and authorizes grant
amount for CalWORKs, Food Stamps, MediCal, General Assistance or Foster
Care program. Positions in
this class have responsibility for either: (1) the initial decisions
(intake) on eligibility for CalWORKs and for related aids (e.g. Food
Stamps); or (2) the application of eligibility criteria for two or more
diverse programs (e.g. General Assistance or MediCal); or (3) the initial
decisions (intake) on eligibility for MediCal. Positions in this class are
assigned on a continuing basis either to intake units, or to intake and
ongoing functions for two or more assistance programs.
Eligibility Worker III's assist applicants or recipients to
complete the necessary applications, declarations, liens and other forms;
interview applicants or recipients or their representatives to explain
rights and obligations, explain public assistance programs, elicit
pertinent social, personal and financial data necessary to determine
eligibility and extent or amount of grant and benefits; conduct such
interviews in County offices, private homes, hospitals, nursing homes and
other locations; obtain eligibility and other case data from applicants'
or recipients' guardians, representatives, social workers, probation
officers, and others as appropriate; may provide vacation and other
temporary relief for supervisors; and perform other duties as required.
For additional information on this job click here.
THE
REQUIREMENTS: Any
combination of education and experience that would provide the required
knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain these would be:
One year of experience at a level equivalent to
Eligibility Worker II in a California County system; OR three and a
half-years of public contact experience interviewing clients for the
purpose of gathering information; determining eligibility, setting up and
maintaining eligibility case records for one or more public assistance
programs.
Language: Some positions may be designated for Level I or Level II
bilingual pay (Spanish Speaking). The
test for Level I is the ability to converse in Spanish and to read English
and translate orally into Spanish.
Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations
applicable to public assistance programs; common community resources; and
human motivation and behavior. Working
knowledge of interactive interviewing techniques for obtaining factual
information; the basic functions and services provided by a public social
service agency; principle sources of information necessary to establish
eligibility under assigned programs; methods of organizing work; record
keeping practices; employment and training programs serving low income
clients; and basic eligibility requirements for other assistance programs.
Ability to:
Read, understand, explain and apply complex
regulations and policies governing eligibility for public assistance
programs; elicit information from clients through an interactive interview
process; gather, record and evaluate information necessary for the
determination of initial and continuing eligibility for public assistance
programs; perform difficult clerical work involving application of
mathematical skills and requiring accuracy and speed; apply coding and
input procedures connected with the department's computerized record
keeping system; effectively organize and process large volumes of
transactions to meet frequent deadlines; budget time realistically and in
accordance with the monthly work cycle; maintain systematic and accurate
records; recognize problems requiring referral to social services staff;
establish rapport with persons of differing ethnic and socioeconomic
backgrounds; identify and be responsive to client needs while maintaining
confidentiality; work independently and use initiative in investigating
community resources and advocacy services; interpret and explain program
regulations, obligations, procedures and other pertinent information on an
individual basis, in person, or by telephone or in group settings to
applicants, clients and the general public; make referrals to appropriate
agencies and human service programs; represent the agency in a
professional manner; speak and write clearly; and work cooperatively with
other agency staff and as a team providing participant services.
THE
EXAMINATION:
Your
application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if
you have met the education, experience and/or licensing requirements as
stated on the employment opportunity announcement.
If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you
may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or
performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and
experience as
described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass
all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer
qualified applicants. If the
eligible list is established without the administration of the announced
examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall
score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and
supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to
administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to
take the examination to remain on the eligible list.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply Online Now! Click on the link below; or print out an
application and mail/bring to: Human Services Department Personnel, 1000
Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
For information, call (831) 454-4063. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831)
454-2123. Applications are accepted continuously. All applications
on file in the Personnel Department as of any given Friday may be reviewed
and scheduled for testing.
