Client Services Program Specialist - I (Tahoe)

This recruitment will be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in the Department of Health and Human Services as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

This recruitment will only be used to fill vacancies in the Tahoe areas.  This recruitment will not be used to fill vacancies in the South Placer and Auburn areas. 

NOTE: The classifications within the Client Services Program Specialist series are currently under review.

The Department of Health and Human Services - Human Services Division - is currently hiring for a permanent position of Client Services Program Specialist - I in our Carnelian Bay office located in  North Lake Tahoe.  This assignment is for a Medi-Cal Eligibility Specialist helping connect Placer County residents with a variety of healthcare services and options.  This assignment will work with all populations including pregnant women, children, disabled individuals, and the elderly to link them to healthcare options available based on their individual circumstances.  This current position allows for the potential to gain experience in other eligibility programs as well, such as CalWORKS, CalFresh and General Relief.

Bilingual skills in Spanish are preferred, but not required for the current vacancy.

To determine eligibility for, or continuation of, designated and specialized client services programs and their respective benefits; to provide administrative and technical support for designated program operations and the provision of services; to track and monitor the continuing quality of services provided and client needs to ensure compliance with program guidelines and regulations; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

This is the entry level class in the Client Services Program Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives immediate supervision from supervisory or management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other staff members. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interview applicants for and participants in designated client services programs and services; assist applicant in the completion of appropriate applications, financial disclosures,  and declaration forms necessary to process application; determine and request necessary verification/data to accurately evaluate applicant’s/participant’s eligibility/ and determine applicant’s/participant’s eligibility for designated program(s).
• Interpret and explain designated program(s) regulations, obligations, procedures and other pertinent information on an individual basis, in person or by telephone, or in group settings to applicants, participants and the general public.
• Educate, recommend and determine initial and continuing eligibility in accordance with established procedures for various assigned programs including verification of reported information and of benefits provided by other jurisdictions; screen applicants/participants to determine eligibility for expedited, expanded and/or modified services.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate case records, documentation and files, including performing data entry into automated record systems; monitor and follow-up on due dates; prepare and maintain other documents associated with designated program area(s) and related reporting requirements.
• Assess need for and authorize referrals to other client services and/or community resources/agencies to assist applicants/participants in identifying and utilizing the resources and services available; establish and maintain liaison with local  private and public resources to provide continuity of services and awareness of designated program area(s).
• Conduct program orientation and/or information sessions for clients, applicants, vendors, contractors, landlords, employers, and the general public to disseminate accurate information regarding assigned program area(s) and pertinent criteria, regulations, and guidelines.
• Perform specialized functions and tasks in support of assigned program(s) such as processing claims for reimbursement of tenant damages; preparing lease/contract documents; issue certificates and vouchers; conduct surveys and/or field housing quality inspections relative to compliance standards when assigned to Health and Human Services.
• Make appropriate determinations according to established criteria and assigned program’s regulations; perform calculations to verify mathematical/financial data; initiate appropriate process according to determination.
• Perform a variety of administrative support and clerical duties related to assigned program activities to include filing, maintaining records and statistics, typing/word processing, and answering the telephones.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County and departmental employees, community agencies and resources, and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: One year of general clerical experience involving interviewing and obtaining financial/personal history from the general public is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate:

• When assigned to Veteran Services, ability to obtain, within the probationary period, certification from the State of California Department of Veterans Affairs to present claims to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 14.629.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

NOTE: If needed, an additional screening may be conducted to rate applicants responses to the supplemental questionnaire to determine a reasonable number of the best-qualified applicants. Those applicants who pass the best qualified screening (as indicated on the supplemental questionnaire) will be invited to participate in the written exam.

Knowledge of:

• Basic interview techniques and record keeping practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer hardware and software and its applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; explain designated and specific regulations and procedures to clients and the general public.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist and reach while retrieving or returning files or making field visits.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with correctable acuity sufficient to read characters on computer screen; hear and speak with correctable acuity sufficient to communicate with clients; and lift moderate weight.
• Make rapid and accurate arithmetic calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations.
• Effectively interview a wide variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and who may be physically, emotionally or mentally impaired or distressed.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Prioritize work in order to meet various program compliance deadlines.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple case assignments; and work effectively with interruptions.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action within established guidelines and parameters.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, video cassette recorder, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Best Qualified Screening (PASS/FAIL)

An application appraisal screening MAY be conducted to select a reasonable number of the best-qualified candidates. The criteria for this screening can be found in Section II of the supplemental questionnaire.

Written Examination (100%)

The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

The written examination is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 20th at Sierra College, 11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA 96161.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met. Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at:

http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Note: Extra Help/Temporary assignments are not eligible for benefits and limited to working 28 hours per week with a fiscal year cap of 1,000 hours or 960 for CalPERS retired annuitants.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

• 6/08/17 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• 6/08/17 - Best Qualified Screening (if necessary)
• 6/08/17 - Conviction Questionnaires Sent
• 6/11/17 - Conviction Questionnaires Due
• 6/20/17 - Written Examination
• 6/26/17 - Eligible List Established