THIS RECRUITMENT IS PROMOTIONAL ONLY. YOU MUST PRESENTLY BE A FULL- OR PART-TIME REGULAR OR PROBATIONARY COUNTY OF SONOMA EMPLOYEE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. 

An Eligibility Worker III in the Economic Assistance Division acts as a lead worker; provides training, coaching and mentoring to new hires; works on the most complex eligibility cases; and provides back-up to supervisors as needed. This position requires subject matter expertise in Medi-Cal, General Assistance, Food Stamps, and/or County Medical Services Program; and a thorough knowledge of the rules, laws and regulations pertaining to public assistance programs and of the resources available in the community. 

The Economic Assistance Division of the Human Services Department currently has Two FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONAL vacancies: one regular and one fluent bilingual  (English/Spanish). The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time and part-time vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list. County employees who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment.

Applicants who wish to be considered for the fluent (reading, writing, conversation) bilingual vacancy must indicate their skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment to a bilingual designated position to confirm level of skill in this area. Bilingual premium pay is $.90 cents/hour.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Eligibility Worker III is an advanced journey-level class in which incumbents may be assigned lead responsibilities within an eligibility determination unit or are assigned specialized duties such as In Home Support Services or Welfare Fraud. An Eligibility Worker III may carry a reduced caseload involving complex eligibility determination and case management. This class is distinguished from other classes by the nature and scope of assigned responsibilities and degree of independence used.

Considerable knowledge of: the rules and regulations governing eligibility and case management for one or more programs; the goals and functions of public social service agencies; the sources of information necessary to establish eligibility for one or more  programs; record keeping and general office procedures; and how to organize information and time.
 
Working knowledge of: cultural and human behavior, including knowledge of self, to deal effectively with clients and staff; and the principles and techniques of leadership and training.
 
Ability to: interpret rules, regulations, and revisions affecting the eligibility determination and case management process; determine eligibility and grant maintenance for the more complex cases; conduct and control an interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for one or more  programs; elicit factual information from applicants and recipients with communication or emotional problems; speak and write effectively; assume responsibility as appropriate; reason logically and accurately, think clearly, remain calm and continue working under stress and pressure; understand and follow complex instructions; maintain accurate and systematic records; listen actively and ask pertinent questions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees and the general public; and lead and direct the work of others.

Education and Experience: Any combination of coursework, training, and/or work experience which clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year as an Eligibility Worker II coupled with some coursework or specialized training in the principles and techniques of leadership and training will provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.
 
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS The information contained in the application and responses to the supplemental questions will be evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the employment process. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, please list each position separately. Failure to comply with these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

In an effort to mitigate the impact of budget reductions on the County workforce, the County of Sonoma has implemented a program of mandatory time off for the current fiscal year. Most County offices, activities, and services will be closed from December 24, 2009 through December 31, 2009.  During that period, most County employees will be on a work furlough.  The amount of pay deducted for the unpaid furlough time will be determined by the employee’s regularly allocated work schedule and the number of pay periods remaining in the current fiscal year in order to accomplish a 40 hour contribution by June 28, 2010.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS:  GENERAL

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

GENEROUS PAID TIME OFF:

Vacation Leave:  Generous vacation accrual based on years of County service
Sick Leave:  No limit on accumulation
Holidays:  11 paid holidays plus 8-10 hours annual compensatory time

COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT:

Retirement Plan:  3% @60 general retirement tax deferred contributory system under the County Retirement Act of 1937.  Fully integrated with Social Security.  3% @50 for most law enforcement job classes
Deferred Compensation:  457 plan
Retiree medical:  The County provides a reimbursement program to assist in funding health benefits upon retirement.

EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS:

Insurance:  Vision and employee long term disability plan paid by the County.  Dental coverage and choice of three health plans with generous portions of premiums paid by the County 

Cash Allowance:  Effective May 2009 a cash allowance of approximately $600/month that may be used towards health contribution accounts, deferred compensation, or as cash
Group Term Life Insurance for $10,000 paid by the County
Textbook & Tuition reimbursement:  For approved job-related training and educational course work
Tax exempt health/dependent care reimbursement program

AND MORE......

Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process, more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.

Updated 12/29/08