What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Services Representative I/II (Extra-Help & Full-Time) position at Merit System Services?
Salary : $20.89 - $28.02 Hourly
Location : Merced or Atwater
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : MSS04999
Department : Merced County Human Services Agency
Opening Date : 01 / 21 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 11 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific
Position Information
Under supervision, performs a variety of intake and ongoing case management tasks; utilizes automated system to conduct in-depth and analytical interactive interviewing and fact finding to authorize benefits for all public assistance programs; to identify and refer clients in need of health, social and / or employment services to other staff members or community resources; to perform other related duties, as assigned.
The Family Service Representative I is the entry level classification in the Family Service Representative series. Incumbents in this classification work under close supervision in a trainee capacity, with a portion of time in formal classroom training. The Family Service Representative II is the journey level classification in the series. Incumbents in this classification carry a caseload of moderate difficulty, have high client contact and make independent decisions on a majority of issues regarding eligibility and benefits.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :
- Learns all areas of public assistance and case processing and management.
- Analyzes financial and eligibility information. Determines the level of benefits to which the client is entitled by making complex computations and / or computer entries and then analyzing the results.
- Performs interactive interviews in person or by telephone to elicit eligibility information.
- Communicates effectively both orally and in writing with clients and others while maintaining confidentiality.
- Explains regulations, rules and policies to clients and apprises them of their rights, responsibilities and eligibility for participation in various public assistance programs and services.
- Authorizes benefits and notices of action. Generates appointment letters and other required documentation and correspondence.
- Monitors on-going eligibility by obtaining periodic updated information of eligibility factors and takes appropriate actions.
- Issues benefits from an automated computer system.
- Works with a diverse population of clients as described in Title VII (i.e. Age, Race, Religion) without discrimination.
- Determines need for additional services and makes referrals as needed.
- Organizes and prioritizes caseload so that necessary case records and documents are processed and updated within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy.
Knowledge of :
Ability to :
Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications
FAMILY SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE I
OPTION I
Experience : One year full-time experience in an Eligibility Specialist Trainee classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) county.
OPTION II
Experience : One (1) year of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits and two (2) years of clerical work involving public contact.
OPTION III
Experience : Two (2) years of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits.
OPTION IV
Experience : Four (4) years of full-time clerical work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of forms or eliciting information from the public.
OPTION V
Education : Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Qualifying experience or education may be combined in order to meet the above requirements. When combining education and experience; fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two (22.5) quarter units equals six months of experience.
FAMILY SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE II
OPTION I
Experience : One (1) year of full time employment equivalent to a Family Services Representative I.
OPTION II
Experience : Two (2) years of full time experience determining eligibility for public assistance programs in a public human services agency.
Supplemental Information
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%
The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
Examination administration and processing time is approximately one week after the closing date of the job bulletin.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Merced. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications : Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Some positions in this classification may require possession of a California driver's license. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.
ABOUT MERCED COUNTY
Merced County is located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley in central California, an area earning worldwide acclaim for its rich agriculture, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced, the self-proclaimed Gateway to Yosemite, has a population of approximately 81,102, yet retains the charm of a small town with amenities routinely found in larger communities. Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. The County is representative of the rural heartland and Gold Rush remnants underpinning the state's heritage. It is a peaceful, quiet, and friendly area with an abundance of beautiful bike paths and offers choices of higher education in UC Merced and Merced College.
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.
IF YOU EARNED A MASTER'S, BACHELOR'S, OR ASSOCIATE'S OR HAVE COMPLETED COLLEGE COURSES YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS. Have you uploaded your college transcript?
Required Question
Salary : $21 - $28
