Appeals Specialist

WHY JOIN US AT SOLANO COUNTY?

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Our mission is to serve the people and to provide a safe and healthy place to live, learn, work and play.

We serve the public in many different ways, including:
• Providing primary medical, dental, alcohol, drug and mental health services to residents, including the uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved
• Providing law enforcement services in the unincorporated area of the county
• Protecting the community from public health threats such as communicable diseases
• Coordinating countywide responses to domestic violence and terrorism or other emergencies
• Managing the criminal justice process after arrest (jail, prosecution, probation)
• Supporting other local governments through efficient property tax collection as mandated by the State, County and local jurisdictions; and,
• Administration and enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws and policies pertaining to environmental health, building construction, and land use planning

OUR EMPLOYEES: Our diverse workforce is committed to fulfilling this mission and does so by exemplifying our IDEAL Core Values, engaging in our day to day work of serving the public with Integrity, Dignity, Excellence, Accountability, and Leadership.

WHY WE EXIST 

The mission of the Solano County Health & Social Services Department is to Promote Healthy, Safe and Stable Lives.

Vision: A Healthy, Safe and Stable Community

Core Values
• Diversity: We respect and value cross –culturalism creating an environment that is inclusive for all.
• Respect: We treat people with care and courtesy.
• Integrity: We do what we say will.
• Fairness: We are consistent and unbiased in decisions.
• Transparency: We communicate the how and why.
• Equity: We ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities.
• Responsiveness: We react quickly and positively.

To learn more about the Department of Health & Social Services , please visit:  https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss/default.asp 

Come join a team to help eliminate welfare fraud and ensure program integrity! 

The Special Investigations Bureau is responsible for conducting investigations of alleged fraud in various public assistance programs, detecting fraud in those programs, and conducting verification inquiries in an effort to prevent fraud before it occurs. The Bureau is also responsible for collecting criminal and administrative overpayments, as well as court-ordered restitution stemming from criminal convictions for welfare fraud.  

To learn more about Solano County, the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Special Investigations Bureau, please visit our website at http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss/investigations.asp.

Current Solano County employees are invited to apply for this promotional opportunity.

As an appeals specialist you will be responsible for the administration of the state and federally mandated appeals and complaints programs in the Social Services Department or represents the agency in assisting and representing recipients in Social Security application and hearing process. You will review and make recommendations to management on all adjustment or correction of decisions on appeals and complaints, represent the department in either state fair hearing or federal administrative hearing matters, present the County’s case on appeals and complaints, and oversee implementation of legal rulings.

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur throughout the County.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: Broad and diverse experience in multiple public assistance benefit and employment programs including:

1. One year of experience performing duties comparable to either the Eligibility Benefits Specialist III or Employment Resources Specialist III in a California County Department of Social Services. OR

2. Two years of experience performing duties comparable to the Eligibility Benefits Specialist II (Eligibility Worker II) or Employment Resources Specialist II in a California County Department of Social Services.  

AND

Education: Completion of any combination of 60 semester, 80 quarter units, or 90 continuing education credits including the equivalent of 18 semester units, 24 quarter units or 18 continuing education credits preferably in law, legal procedures, behavioral science, sociology, psychology, counseling, vocational guidance or any coursework related to public assistance grant programs or the provision of employment services. This required coursework may be obtained through colleges, universities, university extension, business school, or employer provided career development training. A continuing education unit is equivalent to point sixty (.60) semester units.

Other: Must be a current Solano County employee.

To review the full job description for this position, please visit:

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15476    

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2022 calendar year is $1,1671.27 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.   

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.

The County observes 12 full day fixed and 2 half day fixed paid holidays per year. Additionally, employees in this bargaining unit receive 2 floating paid holidays per year.                         

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years.

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years,

To view the benefits for a regular position, please visit: 

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16514  

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Sick Leave for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit: 

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=21216

xx/xx/2022 – Deadline to submit application and required documents.

xx/xx/2022 - xx/xx/2022  – Tentative window to take online exam.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced. 

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

This position requires completion of units. All candidates must submit a copy of their transcripts (official or unofficial verifying the student, institution, courses, and units completed) by the final filing date.  Candidates who fail to submit their transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment.  Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Appeals Specialist) and the recruitment number (22-444070-C1). If submitting documents by email include the recruitment title and recruitment number in the subject field.

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

1. I understand that this recruitment requires a copy of my college transcript(s).  I further understand that failure to provide the required documentation by the final filing date, will result in disqualification from this recruitment.

___ Yes    ___ No        

2.  This recruitment requires that you are  a current Solano County Employee.  Please enter your employee identification Number.

Travel:  Independent travel may be required including travel to sites of hearings.      

Child Abuse Reporting:  Selectees for employment must as a condition of employment sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting.

Driver’s License:  Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment.  

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

OUR COMMUNITY

Solano County is the ideal place to live, learn, work and play…  The America's Promise Alliance has named Solano County as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for six straight years—the only California community with that distinction.

• Live – Solano County as well as cities within the County have ranked in the top 15 hottest markets across the country and within the Bay Area due to prime location and affordability.
• Learn – Higher education abounds! Within the County, education choices include: Solano Community College, CSU Maritime Academy, Brandman University, and Touro University. Bordering our County is the renowned University of California Davis.
• Work – The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the county is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries.
• Play - Situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento—the State capitol, Solano County is home to rolling hillsides, waterfronts and fertile farmland. County residents can enjoy day trips to the San Francisco Bay area, Lake Tahoe region and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

County Population (2018): 439,793

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER