Program Specialist

 Committed to program analysis for public assistance benefit and employment programs

The Health and Social Services Department's responsibilities include providing health, mental health, substance abuse and social services to the community as well as administering federal, state and local public assistance programs.

The Employment & Eligibility Services Division administers various federal, state, and local government programs designed to provide health insurance, food assistance, and cash assistance, for eligible low-income Solano County residents. 

To learn more about the Health and Social Services Department, and the services we provide to the children and families in Solano County, please visit our website http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss/default.asp

The Department of Health and Social Services is recruiting for a Program Specialists to be responsible for the development and promulgation of policies, procedures, and instructions to operations staff.  The duties are characterized by the focus on legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis, interpretation and promulgation.  The Program Specialist conducts confidential and sensitive studies of operation and/or program matters, makes policy or administrative recommendations to management and performs administrative and budgetary duties. There is currently one vacancy in the Division of Employment and Eligibility Services.

To review the full job description which includes examples of duties, please visit:

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15953

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Experience:

Broad and diverse experience in multiple public assistance benefits including:

1. Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Benefits Specialist III (Eligibility Worker III) or an Employment Resources Specialist III (Employment and Training Worker III) in a California County Department of Social Services. If the III level experience does not include one year of lead or supervisory experience, one year of lead or supervisory experience in a social services program.

OR

2. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Benefits Specialist Supervisor (Eligibility Supervisor), Employment Resources Specialist Supervisor, or Special Programs Supervisor.

Education:

An Associate’s degree or completion of equivalent credit  units from an accredited college or university is required preferably in behavioral science, business administration, humanities, public administration, social science, career counseling, vocational development  or a related field. 

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the above fields of study or a related field is preferred.

A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields of study or a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience except for the lead or supervisory experience.

Solano County offers a comprehensive benefit package to full and part-time employees which includes a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits offered through CalPERS. The County contributes 75% of the Kaiser family rate for the Bay area for coverage that begins the first of the month following date of hire. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only medical coverage or those who waive medical insurance coverage. Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement, and contributes to Social Security. Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 78 full time pay periods (approximately 3 years). Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year. Additionally, the County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.

To review complete benefits information, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16476

SELECTION PLAN

09/22/14 - Final filing date for applications, supplemental questionnaire and supporting documents
09/23/14 - Tentative date for qualifications review
09/30/14 - Tentative date for Oral Board Interviews
10/01/14 - Tentative date to establish eligible list and certify names to the hiring department

10/07/14 - Tentative date for hiring interviews

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral interview, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.  

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process.

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, certificates, DD-214) must be submitted with a document cover sheet, available on the County's employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the of Human Resources’ office, and are due by the final filing date. Previously submitted application materials for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.  

Questions can be directed to the Human Resources Department at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

All applicants must submit a copy of their college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed) and supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date. Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts or supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person, by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA 94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email at recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (e.g., Office Assistant II) and the recruitment number (e.g., 12-123456-01)

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely. Omitted information will not be considered or assumed. Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

In your answer include your employer, your job title, employment dates in which these duties were performed, your role, and your level of contribution.

1. Describe your experience within the past three years gathering and analyzing data and/or information.
2. Describe any experience interpreting, implementing or assuring compliance to legislation or program regulation changes.

3. Describe your experience working with Medi-Cal and other insurance affordability programs.

4. Describe any experience developing and monitoring a corrective action plan for quality control.
5. Describe your experience bringing programs into compliance with performance standards using performance metrics to improve outcomes.

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A copy of the DD214, showing discharge type, must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date. Applicants who have a service connected disability must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under honorable conditions shall have five (5) points added to their combined score.  Disabled veterans shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score.  Veteran preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/inc/blobfetch.aspx?BlobID=18134. This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Located 45 miles northeast of San Francisco and 45 miles southwest of Sacramento, Solano County is home to rolling hills, waterfronts and fertile farmland.

Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (January 2012): 413,786

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.  

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER