Eligibility Services Technician I

READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION. If you have previously applied or started an application for the Eligibility Services Technician I (Exam #19-1570-01) , read this entire bulletin. There are specific instructions on how to reapply for this position.

PLEASE CONTACT THE EXAMINATION ANALYST, MONTRICE GOODMAN AT MONTRICE.GOODMAN2@ACGOV.ORG TO HAVE YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATION RELEASED BACK TO YOU.

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you have previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Languages are especially encouraged to apply. There is an additional bi-weekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

Applications will only be accepted on-line.

THE AGENCY

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is comprised of 2,200 men and women working collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Services are provided through four departments: Administration and Finance, Adult and Aging Services, Children and Family Services, and Workforce and Benefits Administration.  

THE POSITION  

Eligibility Services Technicians are specialists in assisting individuals, families and children enroll in or maintain health coverage and determining initial and on-going eligibility for programs such as CalFresh, General Assistance, CalWORKs and/or Medi-Cal. The current openings are in Oakland and Hayward.  

There are four levels of staffing for the Eligibility Services Technician Series.  Eligibility Services Technicians I—III are a flexibly-staffed class; work is expected to be performed at the Eligibility Services Technician III level, but with initial selection made at the Eligibility Services Technician I (or entry) level. Eligibility Services Technician IV represents the senior level of the series and is filled through the Alameda County Civil Service examination process.  

Eligibility Services Technician I are required to participate in specialized training classes in preparation of learning effective interviewing techniques, appropriate computerized case management and applicable Federal, State and County regulatory requirements. They are expected to flex-promote to Eligibility Services Technician II after successfully completing six months of training and the demonstration of excellent work habits and job performance.  Eligibility Services Technician IIs are expected to maintain excellent work habits, gain work experience and demonstrate program proficiency which qualifies them to flex-promote to Eligibility Services Technician III after the equivalent of one year full-time service.  Appointments to Eligibility Services Technician I and Eligibility Services Technician II will not be extended beyond six months and one year, respectively.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE  

The Ideal Candidate for the positions of Eligibility Service Technician I -- III is committed to providing exceptional customer service and possesses a background of performing community service or a work history in working face-to face or over-the-phone with individuals from various multi-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. The Ideal Candidate is an effective communicator; displays excellent interpersonal skills, quickly grasps new concepts and is able to disseminate information accurately and quickly to Social Services applicants and recipients. The Ideal Candidate has well-developed work habits and exceptional skills using computers and Windows-based software. Additionally, the Ideal Candidate will be able to:  

• Perform clerical work that involves independent judgment and requires accuracy and speed.  

• Make accurate arithmetical computations.  

• Understand and follow complex oral and written directions.  

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationship with co-workers and the public.

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Specialist Clerk I or higher in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts).

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time, paid and/or volunteer general office experience, involving public contact via face-to-face or over-the-phone, interviewing and obtaining personal information from the general public.

License: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license is required.

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

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: 

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures, including business correspondence and filing and standard office equipment operation.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and objective relationships with the general public, culturally diverse populations, other departments/agencies and co-workers.
• Deal impartially and with restraint in stressful situations.
• Demonstrate good customer service, interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy when working with others regarding sensitive or crisis situations.
• Perform mathematical computations accurately.
• Follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Use computers and software applications effectively
• Use office equipment such as fax, printers, copiers and scanners

THE EXAMINATION:

The examination will consist of the following steps:

 

Review for Minimum Qualifications: Friday, September 4, 2020

If you do meet the minimum qualifications, you will be notified via email. You must fill out the application and supplemental questionnaire completely. Not filling out any part of either the application or the supplemental questionnaire will disqualify you from the examination. Resumes submitted in place of complete applications will not be accepted.

 

Written Examination: Week of September 30, 2020

Once it has been established that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited via email to participate in a multiple choice examination. You will be sent notification of your scheduled date and time at least 10 days prior to your examination date.

 

Performance Examination: Week of October 26, 2020

Those candidates who pass the written examination will be invited to participate in a performance/data entry examination. Applicants will be required to show that they have the data entry skills needed to be a successful Eligibility Services Technician I. This is a pass/fail examination. Applicants must pass the data entry test to participate in the next examination component.

 

Panel Interview Examination (Weighted as 100% of the final examination score): Week of November 30, 2020

If the candidate is successful in the data entry portion of the examination, the candidate will then be invited to participate in a panel interview where they will be asked about past job experiences relating to the core competencies that successful incumbents of the job possess. The candidates who pass this portion of the exam will then be scored and put into rank order. The panel interview examination may also serve as the hiring interview at the discretion of the hiring authority. The dates listed above are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the department.

 

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:	Friday, August 21, 2020
Review for Minimum Qualifications:	Friday, September 4, 2020
Written Examination:	Week of September 30, 2020
Performance Examination:	Week of October 26, 2020
Panel Interviews:	Week of November 30, 2020

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

 

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes. For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

 

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jopaps.com are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Montrice Goodman, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-208-3954; Email: Montrice.Goodman2@acgov.org

www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.