Eligibility Worker I/II

Under immediate (Eligibility Worker I) or general (Eligibility Worker II) supervision, learns to and determines eligibility for a variety of public assistance, medical, housing, and/or workforce development programs; learns and maintains knowledge of program rules and regulations; provides information and assistance to applicants and recipients; reviews applications and supporting documentation; conducts interactive, fact-gathering, interviews; explains rights and responsibilities; and determines initial and/or ongoing eligibility for various programs; provides information and referrals to department and/or community service programs and resources; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate (Eligibility Worker I) or general (Eligibility Worker II) supervision from assigned supervisory and/or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Eligibility Worker I: This is the entry-level classification in the Eligibility Worker series.  Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine eligibility for public assistance, medical, housing, and/or workforce development programs. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently.  Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Eligibility Worker II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.  Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern.  Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.   

Eligibility Worker II: This is the journey-level classification in the Eligibility Worker series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from the Eligibility Worker I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.  

This class is distinguished from the Senior Eligibility Worker in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series.  

Positions in the Eligibility Worker class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the next lower level, after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Schedules appointments and conducts interactive, fact-gathering interviews with applicants and recipients to obtain demographic, financial, and asset information necessary to determine initial and/or ongoing eligibility for various public assistance, medical, housing, and/or workforce development programs; conducts interviews in the County welfare office, satellite offices, hospitals, participants homes, and other locations. 
• Interprets and explains program rules and regulations governing eligibility, grants, processing timeframes, methods of payment, and legal rights and responsibilities to applicants and recipients.
• Requests, records, reviews, and evaluates demographic, financial, and asset verification obtained from applicants and recipients and outside sources at time of initial application, voluntary and mandated intermittent reporting, and annual renewal/recertification according to rules and regulations for multiple programs.   
• Enters and processes demographic, financial, and asset data into automated system(s) to determine initial/ongoing eligibility and grant entitlements within established timeframes; reviews and ensures the accuracy of the eligibility results, including eligible household members, budgets, and entitlements; identifies any errors in eligibility/grants and troubleshoots and modifies entries to ensure accurate eligibility determinations.       
• Within established parameters, authorizes eligibility determinations in automated system(s); reviews and sends client/recipient correspondence related to case action(s); answers questions related to eligibility determinations; and processes/issues benefits via electronic benefit transfer (EBT), paper warrant or voucher, and/or Medi-Cal insurance card.  
• Processes assigned tasks and case actions, and/or maintains a client caseload; ensures appropriate action is taken on reported information/changes in circumstances, voluntary and mandated intermittent and annual reporting, and requests for additional and/or modified programs/services according to program rules and regulations, and timeframes for processing. 
• Provides information, assistance, resources, and/or referrals to applicants, recipients, and the general public to appropriate county or community services; works with public and private agencies to develop community resources.
• Receives and responds to a high volume of inquires and/or requests for information/assistance in office, over the phone, and/or via email; provides courteous customer service, and accurate information related to department programs/services, eligibility, community resources, and other related requests.  
• Prepares, maintains, verifies, updates, revises, and/or sends out electronic and physical documents, records, reports, files, forms, assessment packets, and/or applications and renewal/recertification packets; resolves information discrepancies; enters information into, maintains, monitors, and/or updates documents, databases, online systems, and software.
• Resolves discrepancies in information reported by clients by securing documentation, records, and confirmation/verification from other entities; evaluates potential for fraudulent situations and reports to supervisor as required.
• Coordinates with internal and external agencies to communicate, receive, and verify information, including verification of income/assets, household demographics, time on aid, and inter-county transfers.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records, files, and notes related to case actions and client interactions; updates information, researches discrepancies and performs data entry; maintains confidential client documentation.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to housing programs:

• Performs outreach; seeks out housing opportunities by phone, internet, and in person to develop relationships with landlords and local agencies to grow and support housing resource options.
• Serves as liaison between landlords and case managers and is primary contact for landlords; communicates with landlords to facilitate rental agreements, negotiate rental amounts and property expenses, and address issues such as missing payments, damage, and evictions; issues approved payments and incentives to landlords and vendors including unpaid rent.
• Conducts property walkthroughs and facilitates improvements to ensure habitability; reviews and ensures accuracy of lease agreements and needs related to rent, rules, security deposit, and other items.
• Supports the resolution of client barriers to housing including evictions, felonies, credit score, collections status, household size, and rental history.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Experience:

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Certain positions in this classification may be designated as bilingual requiring fluency in a foreign language. Positions in this classification are required to rotate assignments and are required to rotate between the agency’s central location in Hanford and outlying sites, as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.  

 
Tentative Recruitment Process
Final Date to Apply: January 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. 
Written Exam: February 10 & 11, 2025
Interview with Human Resources: February 26 & 27, 2025
Interview with Department: TBT 

Salary : $38,563 - $47,050