Description

The County of Siskiyou is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer
We welcome applicants of any race, religion, or ancestry.
For exact salary information please refer to the current salary schedule, county website.

Eligibility/Social Services Assistant I ($15.92 - $19.84)

*
IN-PERSON TESTING IS REQUIRED.*
The next test date will be: December 28, 2022*.

• If selected, you will receive an email invitation to schedule.

Interviews will begin on January 6, 2023. Upon passing the written exam you will receive an email invitation to schedule for the interview time.

The Eligibility/Social Services Assistant I is an entry level classification that assists clients/customers served by programs administered by the Social Services Division through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; maintaining current knowledge of program regulations and procedures necessary for multi-program caseload administration; initiating and assisting in the processing of casework through automated systems; identifying needs and making appropriate referrals for health, social and/or employment services; and performing related clerical work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents may receive one-on-one, classroom instruction, web-based and/or on-the-job training prior to being assigned tasks. Incumbents may be assigned a variety of duties, including some casework tasks and/or clerical tasks which will assist them in learning one or more social service and public assistance programs, which they will support. Incumbents work under close supervision to assist Social Services Division staff and complete initial assignments as they continue to learn procedures and complex regulations. Promotion to the ESSA II or ESSA III level is not allowable as a flexibly staffed position and is only accomplished through the competitive recruitment process.

REPORTS TO
Incumbents in the ESSA classifications typically receive supervision from Human Services Supervisor or Social Worker Supervisor and may receive lead direction from assigned lead workers.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
This is not a supervisory class.

Examples of Duties

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

• Performs interactive interviews to elicit personal client/customer information, and obtains and/or verifies financial, employment, tax and personal demographic information for determination of public assistance and social services programs and services
• Explains regulations, rules and policies to clients and apprises them of their rights, responsibilities and potential eligibility for participation in various public assistance and social services programs and services
• Ensures accuracy and completion of submitted forms
• Resolves discrepancies by securing documentation, and confirmation from other agencies
• Enters and retrieves numerical and narrative data from an automated computer system
• Reviews and interprets information provided on a variety of forms both by the client and third parties to assist with applications and service provision
• Monitors on-going program eligibility and compliance by obtaining periodic updated information and takes appropriate actions on changes
• Determines need for additional services and makes referrals as needed for medical, employment and other social services to outside agencies to assist clients and directs clients accordingly
• Organizes and prioritizes tasks so that necessary case records and documents are processed and updated within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy
• Enters and maintains case records, forms and computer documents in a clear and readable format
• Troubleshoots task and/or case issues to determine appropriate resolution of problems
• Communicates both orally and in writing with clients and others while maintaining confidentiality
• Responds to questions and complaints of clients in person, by telephone, mail and/or email communication, as directed
• Provides pertinent forms and pamphlets to clients as required
• Identifies suspected fraud and makes referrals for investigation to supervisor
• Makes referrals to other social service personnel or programs as needed
• Participates in special projects, studies, work assignments and committees
• Prepares correspondence and reports
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• General goals and purpose of public social services programs
• Laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing eligibility for diverse public assistance programs and other social services programs
• Methods and techniques of conducting a screening/initial interview and information gathering
• Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement
• Modern office practices, methods and procedures
• Record keeping practices and procedures
• Principles of mathematical calculations
• Regulations and rules of social services programs
• Cultural and human behavior, to interact effectively with clients, staff, and public with diverse economic and social backgrounds
• Principles and practices of effective customer service
• English, grammar and punctuation
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project and task coordination
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information and/or prepare documentation

Desired Skills:

• Apply the policies, procedures and programs of the County Social Services Division
• Identify available resources and communicate with others to obtain and verify information
• Use fact finding techniques and perform interactive interviewing/screening
• Determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations
• Make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations
• Analyze and interpret written, numerical and verbal data from various sources
• Utilize multiple electronic information social services systems and analyze and interpret such information
• Enter and maintain data accurately and timely into a computerized system
• Navigate through computer screens and effectively use computer systems, software applications and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Process cases manually as required
• Plan and organize tasks to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness
• Function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes
• Read, understand, apply and explain complicated and detailed correspondence, reports, regulations and policy directives
• Perform a variety of mathematical computations accurately and rapidly
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate records and reports
• Explain programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio- economic, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Refer clients to other community services as needed
• Assess and manage difficult and hostile persons or situations; or call for intervention when appropriate
• Interact with people, in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or email
• Work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff
• Follow written and oral directions and instructions

Typical Qualifications

Training and Experience:
Any combination of training or experience that would provide the knowledge and skills to successfully perform the listed duties is qualifying.

A typical way, but not required, to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:

One (1) year of full-time clerical experience involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of forms and eliciting information from the public;
OR
One year of full-time experience determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment or veterans benefits, or in publicly or privately funded health, counseling or social services programs;
OR
Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter college units

*
Special Requirements: *
Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver's license. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.

Supplemental Information
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, FAX, and other related peripheral equipment such as printers and scanners.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office environment; work may involve stressful situations and include dealing with erratic and sometimes threatening behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33,113.60 - $41,267.20 per year

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