Eligibility Worker Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ELIGIBILITY WORKER I SALARY: $56,821.44 - $67,600.00 Annually ELIGIBILITY WORKER II SALARY: $61,932.00 - $73,852.48 Annually Bilingual allowance when applicable Are you a natural problem-solver with a passion for helping people navigate difficult times? Join our team as an Eligibility Worker and make a direct impact on the lives of individuals and families in our community.

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Social Services is accepting applications to fill 15 current vacancies for Eligibility Worker positions. The vacancies are in Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara. These positions are 100% onsite. Please select all locations where you are willing to accept initial employment. All new hires will begin in Santa Maria for training.

Under supervision, the incumbent applies regulations and procedures to determine eligibility for public assistance programs and referrals for social services, utilizing automated eligibility systems and multiple computer applications in conjunction with several ancillary systems.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an entry-level position within the Eligibility Worker series. Incumbents attend training sessions in Santa Maria to learn regulations, work procedures, forms, and structured public contact techniques. The first year of employment is a probationary period consisting of four months of classroom training and two months of on-the-job training. Successful candidates must satisfactorily complete this training; if training is not satisfactorily completed, the trainee will be released from County employment. Vacations will not be approved during the training period, as absences may jeopardize successful completion of the probationary period.

NOTE: Candidates may be appointed at the I or II level. Appointment at the II level requires prior verifiable experience performing Eligibility Worker I duties (or equivalent duties performed with another county in California).

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Active listening skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Calm composure under pressure
• Excellent customer service orientation
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and manage time effectively
• Experience working as a team player
• Ability to navigate between multiple computer applications simultaneously to perform daily tasks
• Ability to adapt to change
• Strong professional references
• Ability to meet rigid deadlines
• Must demonstrate a reliable attendance record, strong commitment to punctuality and dependability.

Incumbents are expected to learn to assume the full scope of duties, which may include but are not limited to the following:

• Interviews people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments using a variety of standard interview and interaction techniques to determine eligibility and need for public social programs and services; interviews clients individually and in group settings to obtain required information; explains program requirements and procedures individually and in a group setting.
• Assists applicants in the completion of applications and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; elicits information in difficult and emotional situations on matters such as applicant earnings, financial obligations, parental status, and living arrangements.
• Determines program eligibility in accordance with a variety of regulations, using the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) and various ancillary systems, including document imaging and task management tools. Computes eligibility and authorized benefits for various public assistance programs using all potential income and allowable deductions from earnings; completes accurate computer entries by navigating through computer-guided workflows.
• Manages inbound and outbound calls in a timely manner; prepares necessary documentation to initiate, continue, and modify public assistance; plans and organizes workload to ensure necessary work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness; reviews documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency; contacts applicants and recipients regarding discrepancies and refers questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up; ensures accurate case record entries.
• Identifies customers' needs and clarifies information; provides information and makes routine referrals to resources available through the County and within the community to help meet health, housing, and food needs, or to provide assistance with employment, child care, and transportation; makes referrals to protective services.

Employment Standards:

1. Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of public contact experience (at 40 hours per week), performing duties in a customer service environment; OR,
2. Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of office experience (at 40 hours per week), performing administrative duties; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of: standard office procedures; work and time management techniques; public contact and communication techniques.

Ability to: read and understand complex regulations and procedures; learn, apply, and explain complex regulations and procedures; work and navigate between multiple computer applications simultaneously to perform daily tasks; utilize automated eligibility systems in conjunction with several ancillary systems; accurately record information and complete complex forms; learn to conduct skilled interviews to elicit information concerning income, other financial resources, and other personal information affecting eligibility over the phone and in person; communicate effectively verbally and in writing with persons from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds; maintain cooperative relationships with applicants and clients in tense and emotional situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees; determine appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations; maintain confidentiality of information; budget time and effectively organize and perform work amid interruptions; learn about and make referrals to other County and local social service agencies.

Additional Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment.
• Bilingual – Speaking and Writing Required for Some Positions: The ability to converse and write fluently in English and Spanish is required for some positions.

Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications that require bilingual skills, in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

• Selectees must, as a condition of employment, sign statements agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 of the California Penal Code relating to elder abuse reporting.