The County of Santa Barbara Department of Social Services is accepting applications to fill current vacancies for Eligibility Worker I positions in Santa Maria.

POSITION:
Under supervision, applies regulations and procedures to determine eligibility for public assistance programs and referrals for social services, utilizing automated eligibility systems and multiple computer applications in conjunction with several ancillary systems.
Most candidates selected will primarily be assigned to the County's Service Center in Santa Maria, performing caseload management and telephone support duties on banked public assistance caseloads, or assisting callers with food assistance and health care benefit eligibility determinations and enrollment.

Examples of Duties

Incumbents are expected to learn to assume the full scope of duties, which may include but is not limited to the following:

• Interviews people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments using a variety of standard interview and interaction techniques to determine eligibility and need for public social programs and services; interviews clients individually and in group settings to obtain required information; explains program requirements and procedures individually and in a group setting.
• Assists applicants in the completion of applications and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; elicits information in difficult and emotional situations on such matters as applicant earnings and financial obligations, parental status and living arrangements.
• Determines program eligibility in accordance with a variety of regulations; using the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) and various ancillary systems that include document imaging. tools for managing tasks, Computes eligibility and authorized benefits for various public assistance programs using all potential income and allowable deductions from earnings; completes accurate computer entries by navigating through computer-guided workflows.
• Manages inbound and outbound calls in a timely manner; prepares necessary documentation to initiate, continue and modify public assistance; plans and organizes workload to ensure that necessary work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness; reviews documentation for accuracy, completeness and consistency; contacts applicants and recipients regarding discrepancies and refers questionable cases to the fraud unit for further follow-up. Ensures accurate case record entries.
• Identifies customers’ needs and clarifies information; provides information and makes routine referrals to resources available through the County and within the community which help meet health, housing and food needs or which provide assistance with employment, child care and transportation; makes referrals to protective services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of public contact experience (at 40 hours per week), performing duties in a customer service environment; OR,
• Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of office experience (at 40 hours per week), performing administrative duties; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

College coursework may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Please upload a copy of your transcript to your application.

For more information about this position and to apply, visit www.sbcountyjobs.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,280.81 - $59,818.95 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person