Eligibility Supervisor

This is a challenging and rewarding career opportunity for a dynamic and well-organized individual interested in serving the community as an Eligibility Supervisor in the Human Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The division has a current, permanent/full-time vacancy in the Auburn Medi-Cal unit. This position is responsible for supervising a unit of Med-Cal Eligibility specialists who determine initial and ongoing eligibility for customers in need of healthcare benefits.

The Human Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services provides financial assistance, healthcare coverage, food and nutrition assistance, veterans services, and employment services to Placer County residents. By maximizing technology and utilizing an innovative, award winning service center model, individuals and families can apply for assistance or receive information online, by phone, through email, and in person.

The Children’s System of Care Division of the Department of Health and Human Services has as its mission that families in Placer County will be self-sufficient in keeping themselves, their children, and their families safe, healthy, at home, in school/employed, out of trouble, and economically stable. This is accomplished through a combination of child welfare, behavioral health, probation, education, and foster nursing services that are culturally responsive, family-driven, comprehensive, and delivered in an integrated manner, regardless of the agency door by which families enter.

The Public Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services manages the California Children Services program that provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management, and physical and occupational therapy services to children under age 21 with program-eligible medical conditions and income thresholds. The program is administered as a partnership between Placer County Public Health and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill open and promotional vacancies in various divisions in the Department of Health and Human Services as they arise.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree medical insurance
• Deferred compensation
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.

*Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please click here to view General benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To plan, organize, direct, and supervise public aid eligibility determination operations; to interpret and explain a variety of rules, regulations, and policies; to resolve difficult eligibility issues; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

The Eligibility Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first‑line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and are responsible for a program area within a work unit or department.

Receives general direction from higher level professional or management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical and clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for the Health and Human Services Department; implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the determination or continuation of designated and specialized client services programs and their respective benefits.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Provide technical assistance to eligibility workers regarding interpretation of rules, regulations, and policies, and resolution of difficult issues with eligibility software applications.
• Assist eligibility staff in identifying clients or situations appropriate for referral to social services, other County departments, or outside agencies. Authorize and sign checks for cash aid programs.
• Assist in the interpretation of regulations.
• Meet with subordinate staff members to discuss and interpret departmental rules, regulations, and polices; confer with assigned staff concerning the more difficult eligibility determinations; review the quantity and quality of work performed by assigned staff; interpret and explain provisions of applicable regulations.
• Perform the most difficult and complex work in determining and resolving eligibility determinations and troubleshooting system issues.
• Keep current regarding changes in regulations pertaining to eligibility determination and continuation and ensure staff is trained on such regulations.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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

Experience: 

One (1) year of experience performing duties similar to an Eligibility Specialist – Senior with Placer County.

OR

Three (3) years of experience in eligibility determination performing duties similar to an Eligibility Specialist II with Placer County.

Training: 

Equivalent to the completion of thirty (30) semester units in social services, sociology, social work, psychology, behavioral science, business or public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of eligibility determination in social service aid programs.
• Equipment and materials used in eligibility determination including automated information systems and instructional tools.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• Interviewing principles and techniques.
• Case management and legal requirements affecting the processing of eligibility cases.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment and related software applications.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Various public aid/service programs and community resources.
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and court decisions.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Methods for training employees in work procedures.
• Advanced principles and practices of customer service.
• Basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; understand, retain, and explain complex program information; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; explain eligibility regulations and procedures to clients and the general public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist, and reach while retrieving or returning files.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient acuity to read characters on computer screen; hear and speak with sufficient acuity to communicate with clients; and lift light weight.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Organize, implement, and direct eligibility determination operations/activities.
• Interpret and explain pertinent County and department policies and procedures.
• Use a computer and required software applications.
• Use modern office equipment, such as a calculator, telephone, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine.
• Apply principles of customer service.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Training & Experience Rating (50%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Written Examination (50%)

The online examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of April 24, 2023.  

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification. Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Tucker, Administrative Technician, at JMTucker@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.