Santa Barbara County

Description

SALARY: $3,777.69 - $4,494.44 Monthly

$45,332.25 - $53,933.27 Annually

plus bilingual allowance when applicable

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, such as:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. 
• Holidays: 12 days per year. 
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement. 
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium. 
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5. 

For more details, please visit: SEIU Local 721. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Social Services is accepting applications to fill current vacancies for Eligibility Worker positions in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and Lompoc.

THE POSITION: Under supervision, 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. Most candidates selected will primarily be assigned to the County's Service Center in Santa Maria, performing caseload management and telephone support duties on banked public assistance caseloads, or assisting callers with food assistance and health care benefit eligibility determinations and enrollment.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an entry-level position within the Eligibility Worker series. Successful candidates will satisfactorily complete six months of training. If training is not satisfactorily completed, trainee will be released from County employment. Absence during the training will jeopardize completion of the program; therefore, vacations will NOT be approved during the training period. 

NOTE: Candidates may be appointed at the II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department. Salary for the II level is $4,117.54 - $4,910.12 monthly, $49,410.48 - $58,921.48 annually. 

Ideal Candidate will possess:

• Active listening skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Calm composure
• Excellent customer service orientation skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task, set priorities and manage time effectively
• Experience working as a team player
• Ability to work and navigate between multiple computer applications simultaneously to perform daily tasks
• Ability to adapt to change
• Strong professional references

Examples of Duties

1. 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.
2. Assists applicants in the completion of applications and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; elicits information in difficult and emotional situations on such matters as applicant earnings and financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements.
3. Determines program eligibility in accordance with a variety of regulations; using various automated eligibility systems and ancillary systems that include document imaging and task management tool, computes the amount of aid authorized using all potential income and allowable deductions from earnings; completes accurate computer entries by navigating through computer-guided workflows.
4. 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 that 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.
5. Identifies customers’ needs and clarifies information; provides information and makes routine referrals to resources available through the County and within the community which help meet health, housing and food needs or which 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.

College coursework may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. If possible, please upload a copy of your transcript to your application.

Knowledge of: general 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; ability to 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, effectively organize and perform work amid interruptions; learn about and make referrals to other County and local social service agencies.

Additional Requirements: 

• A valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
• Bilingual skills may be required. If you indicated on your application that you are bilingual, your name will be placed on the employment list for a job requiring bilingual skills. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name will be removed from the bilingual employment list, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7.
• Incumbents may be required to perform civil defense duties. 
• 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.

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS: 

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
2. Computerized testing: Candidates will be emailed with instructions on obtaining and taking the MS Word 2010 and Office Procedures. Candidates must complete and pass both MS Word and Office Procedures in order to move forward in the process.
3. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

Applicants must receive a minimum percentage score of 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination and submit written documentation of his/her legal right to work in the United States. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Statement of Commitment: The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Thursday, 04/22/21, 4:59 p.m.; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Andrea Johnson at A.Johnson@sbcsocialserv.org or (805) 346-7321.

Retirement Plans 

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/sbcers/ and http://www.countyofsb.org/ttcpapg/defcomp

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/hr/default.aspx?id=11064

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/hr/default.aspx?id=11064

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/employee-relations/compensation-summary/seiu-local-721.sbc
• This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.