County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to determine eligibility for public assistance; to assist clients with forms/document completion; to compute budgets; to verify information; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is composed of positions that are filled intermittently as required by workload. Positions may be filled for durations of a few days to a few months. This class is distinguished from other Eligibility Technician classes in that incumbents are employed on a temporary or as-needed basis.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Interviews applicants/clients and determines eligibility for public assistance, Medi¬Cal, or Food Stamps.

2. Assists applicants/clients in completing forms; witnesses signatures and explains to applicants/clients the conditions for initial/continued public assistance.

3. Initiates case records showing basis for public assistance eligibility; includes verifying eligibility factors from documents and summarizes findings from investigations; maintains case records.

4. Maintains a continuous program of eligibility review; prepares correspondence as required; and refers cases requiring services or counseling to a social services unit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of six months of satisfactory experience in the class of Eligibility Technician II, or in an equal or higher-level class responsible for determining eligibility of applicants for public assistance in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of one-year full-time satisfactory experience within the last 3 years as an Eligibility Technician or Eligibility Supervisor in a California Social Services Agency.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Eligibility factors of public assistance programs administered by Alameda County.
• Modern office practices and procedures, including business correspondence and filing.
• Organizational methods and practices which provide for maximizing use of time.
• Basic math and English language usage.

Ability to:

• Perform clerical work involving independent judgment and requiring accuracy and speed.
• Spell correctly, communicate well orally and in writing, and make accurate arithmetical computations.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written directions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relations with the public.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

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New document: Jobspecs/1477
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BENEFITS

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

SERVICES AS NEEDED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

MEDICAL PLANS The County offers three Medical Plans. The County contributes up to the full family premium for a specifically identified HMO Plan.  The County contribution is prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  Employees pay any additional premium costs if they chose an alternate HMO or PPO Plan. If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes up to the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and a $1,200 maximum per year. The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT An annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. Some union bargaining units have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, reimbursement for eye glasses or contacts is provided at an amount dependent upon the union bargained unit. This benefit is available only to employees.

PRE-TAX TRANSIT AND PARKING BENEFIT An employee can set aside up to $205 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking fees. Through the Transit Benefit, $1,260 a year can be set aside on a pre-tax basis by the employee to purchase tickets for public transportation used to commute to one’s job.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster. 

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.
 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.