Eligibility Technician III at County of Riverside in Riverside, California

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

Current vacancies are with the Self Sufficiency Division, throughout Riverside County

The County of Riverside's Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is seeking to fill multiple bilingual and non-bilingual Eligibility Technician III positions.

This recruitment may be used to fill mission critical future vacancies. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply now. If you've interviewed within the last 6 months for this position, reapplication is not required.

The Eligibility Technician III provides leadership support under the direction of the Eligibility Supervisor. The Eligibility Technician III is a resource expert for benefit programs, technical issues and customer service.

The Eligibility Technician III strives to meet the objectives of the department's mission and complies with all county and DPSS policies and directives with the ultimate goal of achieving and maintaining state and federal performance standards while providing benefits and services in a timely, competent and professional manner.

The Self-Sufficiency Division is responsible for administering programs and services that can assist Riverside County residents with basic needs and other services that can help them become self-sufficient. Incumbents assigned to this division will be located throughout the County and will involve interacting face-to-face with clients in a non-call-center environment. The most competitive candidates will have experience working specifically with CalWorks, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh programs; applied training and mentoring skills; a flexible mindset with the ability to adapt to change; and proficiency in C-IV, MEDS, and Microsoft Office software.

The Children's Services Division protects children and youth from abuse and neglect, and partners with families, young adults, and communities to build safety, permanency, and well-being. The Foster Care Unit is responsible for determining initial and continuing eligibility for the Foster Care Program in accordance with established procedures. This position will support program integrity by completing case reviews for accuracy.

Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) provides services and assistance to protect and empower vulnerable people in our community.

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EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Initially participate in Eligibility Technician Induction Training consisting of formalized class training and on-the-job training, which would give instruction to learn the typical duties performed by the journey level classes.

• Interview applicants for, and recipients of one or more aid categories, to assist them in the completion and clarification of the application and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; conduct such interviews in the Department of Public Social Services, by phone, or in private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations outside of the Department; obtain pertinent information concerning such items as income, other financial resources, and financial obligations/debts from applicants and recipients; obtain additional information to resolve discrepancies in the applications and declarations by telephone, correspondence, or personal interviews.

• Determine eligibility in accordance with established procedures; dictate or record information for case records.

• Maintain a focus on meeting the needs of internal and external customers; develop and maintain effective relationships with others; relate well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.

• Obtain necessary information during phone and in-person interviews by establishing rapport, explaining the purpose of the interview, responding to customer concerns/questions, and/or asking appropriate follow-up questions.

• Write information, using accurate grammar, in a manner that is clear, well-organized, and follows a logical progression to ensure the writing is tailored to the intended audience or purpose.

• Use external systems, applications, search engines, and databases, including web browsers and web-based information systems to conduct research in order to determine and/or verify eligibility.

• Interpret program regulations and other pertinent material to applicants, recipients, and the general public.

• Compute amount of grant authorized and perform other similar required computations.

• Prepare and maintain other documents associated with the eligibility determining process.

• On the basis of observation, or of needs expressed by applicant orally or in specified locations on the applications and declaration forms, refer all applicants and recipients who appear to need social services to designated social work staff members after completing the appropriate referral forms.

• Review, evaluate, and investigate selected grant-in-aid cases to determine the accuracy and completeness of all statements of fact given by applicants or recipients during initial and continuing eligibility determinations.

• Contact and interview applicants, recipients, individuals and representatives of business or government organizations for the purpose of verifying facts and/or resolving discrepancies pertinent to the correct determination of eligibility.

• Prepare written reports with recommendations for appropriate corrective action when additional facts affecting eligibility are established and/or prepare written reports justifying the eligibility determination made by the Department in cases appealed by clients.

• Make verbal presentations at fair hearings in support of eligibility determinations made by the Department and answer pertinent questions raised by the fair hearing officer and/or the client; prepare memos outlining Department actions that must be taken for compliance with decisions made by the fair hearing officer.

• Interpret policies, rules, and regulations to public officials, clients and the general public.

• Write correspondence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from high school, possession of a certificate of proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination.

Experience: One year performing duties comparable to Riverside County's Eligibility Technician II classification.

Knowledge of: The goals of public social service agencies; the basic laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determinations for public assistance programs; interviewing and record keeping techniques; problems requiring referral to the social service staff; standard office procedures and practices.

Ability to: Interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record, and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for various public assistance programs; correctly interpret the rules and regulations governing eligibility determinations to applicants, recipients, and the general public; speak and write effectively; maintain accurate and systematic records; identify problems requiring referral to other Department staff.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is necessary at the time of hire and must be maintained throughout employment. County vehicles may be available but are not guaranteed. Employees may be required to use their own vehicles for field travel and are required to provide vehicle insurance information for their personal vehicle.

Testing Information

All candidates will be REQUIRED to take an online test as part of the application process for this position. It is important that the instructions provided in the email are followed exactly.

Candidates who indicate that they are bilingual in Spanish will be required to take and pass an unproctored Spanish bilingual assessment.

The Human Resources Department may require you to verify your identity and confirm test scores by retesting in a proctored environment. The County does not provide test scores to applicants.

What's Next?

This recruitment is open toall Applicants Applicants who are current employees of the County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies for this position throughout the County.

A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.

Based on the number of applications received, this posting may be extended or close at any time without notice.

Application Process

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, including fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).

REQUIRED PROBATIONARY PERIOD - As an Approved Local Merit System, the County of Riverside requires all new regular or seasonal employees to serve an initial probationary period, the duration of which is indicated in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non job-related factor.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS - The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here: https://www.rivcocob.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/C-3-Veterans-Preference-Program.pdf

For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Chris Recinos at crecinos @rivco.org or at (951) - 955 - 9883.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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