Eligibility Benefits Specialist III

Recruitment #16-444040-01

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of Solano County residents?

The Mission of Solano County Health and Social Services Department is to promote cost-effective services, which safeguard the physical, emotional, and social well being of the people of Solano County.

The Employment and Eligibility Services Division of the Department of Health and Social Services serves approximately one in four Solano County residents, including an average of 5,562 new applications for assistance each month. This means our employees have the capability of making a large impact on the lives of our neighbors. 

The Department seeks to improve services to the community and is committed to:

  •  Working closely with clients, finding out what clients need, and providing quality services and benefits.
  •  Ensuring that all clients are treated with respect.
  • Making services accessible for clients.
  • Encouraging Solano County residents to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The Position

Under general supervision, this position serves as lead worker and expert resource to other eligibility staff; performs specialized assignments requiring an advanced level of technical knowledge in multiple public assistance benefit programs; and performs related duties as required.

This is the lead and advanced working level in this series.  Incumbents assist the unit supervisor in overseeing and guiding the work of unit staff.  Incumbents perform a variety the more complex assignments including lead work, on-the-job staff development and training, unit work-load coordination, case review, and management of specialized caseloads.  Incumbents serve as expert resource staff to assist management in developing, implementing and applying policies, procedures and methodologies related to public assistance benefit programs.  Specialized assignments include fraud and overpayment investigations.

The eligible list established form this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term, or extra-help positions as vacancies occur or the need arises.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Benefits Specialist II (Eligibility Worker II) in a California County Department of Social Services.  

AND  

Completion of the equivalent of 9 semester units, 12 quarter units or 15 continuing education credits preferably in behavioral science in sociology, psychology, counseling, vocational guidance or coursework related to public assistance grant programs or the provision of employment services.  This required coursework may be obtained through colleges, universities, university extension, business school, or employer provided career development training. A continuing education unit is equivalent to point sixty (.60) semester units. 

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

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15778 

BENEFITS

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2016 calendar year is $1,455.62 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More 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.

 

The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.  

 

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years.

 

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

   

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.

 

To view the benefits for a regular position, please visit:

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16514

  

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Sick Leave for every full hour worked. To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit: https://admin.solanocounty.com:4433/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=21216

 

Selection Process

07/12/2016     Deadline to submit application and any required documents.

08/01/2016    Tentative week for oral board interviews for most qualified applicants.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. 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 board exam, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

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

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office,  and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Document Submittal Requirements

Education verification is required for this position. All candidates must submit a copy of their college degree (verifying the degree, date earned and it must clearly show area of specialization) or transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed). 

 

Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  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.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or 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 to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Eligibility Benefits Specialist III) and the recruitment number (16-444040-01).  If submitting documents by email include the recruitment title and recruitment number in the subject field.

Supplemental Questionnaire

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.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

1

I understand that this recruitment requires me to submit verification of my college education. I understand that failure to submit my college degree or transcripts by the final filing date will result in my disqualification from the recruitment.

Yes  No 

Supplemental Information

  • Drivers License: Possession of a valid California Class C Drivers License may be required at the time of appointment.  Loss of the Class C Drivers License is a cause for discipline.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.   Language Proficiency: Some positions allocated to these classes may require bilingual skills.  
  • Some positions in these classes may require work in an out-station location or in a setting with other professionals integrated as a team.

Veterans Preference Points

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 DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score.  Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score.  Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

 

 

Americans With Disabilities Act

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 an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://webstartadmin/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6664.

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.

Solano County

Click here to take a video tour of Solano County.

The County of 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.

Solano County is centrally located and serves as a gateway to all that Northern California has to offer. The Napa Valley is less than 20 miles away, two world-class public universities (UC Berkeley and UC Davis) are 20 miles away, and both San Francisco and Sacramento are less than 40 minutes away. Day trips can also be made to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey.

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 2015): 429,522

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