Client Services Program Specialist - Senior

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO PERMANENT PLACER COUNTY EMPLOYEES ONLY.

The Human Services Division of the Health and Human Services Department currently has vacancies in several program areas.  This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies in other divisions within Health and Human Services, where assignments may be in Auburn, South Placer or Tahoe.

To perform the more difficult and complex functions involved in providing administrative and technical support for designated program operations and related client services; to exercise technical and functional supervision over other staff members as assigned; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

This is the advanced journey level class in the Client Services Program Specialist series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, as well as by the nature of the public contact required.  Employees in this job class perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned program area(s) as well as cross trained in other client services programs.

Receives direction from supervisory or management staff. Exercises technical and functional supervision over other employees as assigned.

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

• Train and lead subordinate staff in the eligibility determination and case management support processes.
• Perform eligibility determination and ongoing case maintenance generally involving the more specialized and complicated situations.
• Review, evaluate and investigate selected cases and determine accuracy and completeness of all statements of fact provided by applicants or participants during initial and continuing eligibility determinations.
• Contact and interview applicants, participants, individuals and representatives of business or government organizations to verify facts and/or resolve discrepancies pertinent to the correct determination of eligibility.
• Compute overpayment and over-issuances; work with fraud unit in fraud detection; and testify in court as appropriate.
• Prepare written reports with recommendations for appropriate corrective action if additional facts affecting eligibility have been established.
• Provide technical and/or specialized expertise to other clerical/technical staff; interpret regulations and revisions, court orders and policies to staff, clients and the general public.
• Review requests for Fair Hearings, including interviewing program staff and client(s), clarifying Department action and evaluating all data to determine compliance with or exception to regulations and policies; when appropriate, attempt to resolve cases without a hearing; and represent the Department in Fair Hearings as scheduled.
• Act as resource and information source regarding assigned client services program; its criteria, regulations, guidelines, client records and administrative procedures.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate case records and files, including data entry into automated record system; prepare and maintain other documents, materials and correspondence associated with eligibility process.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Experience: Two years of responsible eligibility determination  experience performing duties similar to a Client Services Program Specialist II with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

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:

• A variety of client services programs' rules and regulations including specialized expertise in one or more categorical program areas.
• County policies and procedures, especially as related to eligibility criteria for client services.
• Principles and practices of assigned program eligibility validation, including resources used to verify and obtain financial and social information.
• Automated information systems utilized within California county social services departments.
• In-depth interviewing and fact-finding techniques and record keeping methods.
• Community resources available to applicants and clients.
• Objectives and goals of various client services programs.
• Human behavior and cultural and socio-economic diversity.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer hardware/software and its applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; explain program regulations and procedures to clients and the general public.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist and reach while retrieving or returning files or making field visits.  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 correctable acuity sufficient to read characters on computer screen; hear and speak with correctable acuity sufficient to communicate with clients; and lift light weight.
• Train, assess, review and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations in an independent manner, and interpret and explain complex regulations and procedures to less knowledgeable individuals.
• Interpret financial statements and record necessary information for business, income tax purposes, investments, real and personal property.
• Effectively interview a wide variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and who may be physically, emotionally, or mentally impaired or distressed.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Prioritize work in order to meet various compliance deadlines in an effective and timely manner.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple case assignments; and work effectively with interruption.
• Recognize differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, financial and other forms of deprivation found in client populations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, video cassette recorder, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

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.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

The eligible list(s) 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) 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.

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, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), 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.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for the General bargaining unit.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

• 4/5/2017 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• 4/6/2017 - Conviction Questionnaires Sent
• 4/9/2017 - Conviction Questionnaires Due
• Week of 4/17/2017 - Training and Experience Rating Panel
• Week of 4/24/2017 - Eligible List Established