Eligibility Specialist I (Merit)

Overview

This is a State Merit System Services (MSS) classification. Please go to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mss to view the actual job classification and to apply for this position. Bilingual Incentive!

Bilingual Incentive Pay is +7.5% above the Eligibility Specialist I base salary. At the Department of Social Services we strive to partner with our community to assist, empower and protect those we serve. We foster an agency culture that supports family life and encourages fun filled activities and agency committees. This is more than an invitation, it’s a commitment to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth to everyone! We ask people to grow with us and make the agency even better. Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate for this position will have a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement; strong work ethic and ability to prioritize assigned work tasks and follow through in a timely manner; excellent listening and strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent customer service skills and initiative; solution based problem solving skills; experience in maintaining cooperative relations and communications with customers, management, and staff; ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism; proficiency in MS Office suite as well as basic knowledge of software and database programs. The Eligibility Specialist classifications determine the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; maintain current knowledge of program regulations and procedures necessary for multi-program caseload administration; initiate and process casework through automated systems; identify needs and make appropriate referrals for health, social, and/or employment services; and perform related work as required. What Will You Do?

Acting as the first contact for individuals seeking public assistance; interviewing applicants and recipients to obtain and verify information needed to determine initial and/or ongoing eligibility for public assistance. This often requires obtaining information in difficult and/or emotional situations on issues such as earnings and financial obligations and/or parental status and living arrangements and maintaining control of the interview if the client becomes hostile or angry over the interview questions; learning numerous state and federal program regulations and specific county practices through intensive training prior to full case assignment and ongoing training thereafter. An Eligibility Specialist is not responsible for working with clients to attempt to resolve their personal or social problems, they are responsible to verify and grant eligibility for public assistance. Eligibility Specialists are expected to handle a high volume of deadline driven work which requires them to keep up to date on changes in rules, laws, procedures, etc. that effect processing timelines. Applicants must be able to prioritize, plan and project their work, but at the same time be flexible to changes at any moment, such as unscheduled visits from customers. It is important to understand that the actions you take as an Eligibility Specialist affect the lives of clients and their families. CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES:

Eligibility Specialist’s may be required to take actions that conflict with your own values. An Eligibility Specialist must be able to accept customers\' differences and interact with them in a non-judgmental manner. Bilingual Candidates:

Translates, interprets and otherwise communicates with members of the Spanish speaking community. Click here to view the complete classification specification. Eligibility Specialist I:

Pattern 1: One year full-time experience in an Eligibility Specialist Trainee classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) county;

OR

Pattern 2: One (1) year of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits

and

two (2) years of clerical work involving public contact;

OR

Pattern 3: Two (2) years of full-time experience determining eligibility for health programs, loans, financial assistance, unemployment, or other benefits ;

OR

Pattern 4: Four (4) years of full-time clerical work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, completion of forms or eliciting information from the public;

OR

Pattern 5: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Qualifying experience or education may be combined in order to meet the above requirements. When combining education and experience; fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units equals six months of experience. In addition to the education and experience requirements specified in the Merit Systems/Cooperative Personnel Services classification specification, Tehama County requires: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade License & Special Requirements: Requires a valid California Class C driver’s license. BILINGUAL CANDIDATES: Requires passing Merit Systems Bilingual Testing Requires written and verbal Spanish communications with clients. HOW TO APPLY:

This recruitment closes on January 20, 2026. To apply please submit your application through Merit System Services: the job will be posted between the opening and closing dates. After filing your application you will be notified by Merit System Services as to whether or not your application met the minimum qualifications. Following the closing date those that met minimum qualifications will be contacted by the County for the next steps in the recruitment process. Only the qualified candidates will be invited to test & interview. The department is recruiting for multiple vacancies. In addition, Tehama County is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for an Eligibility Specialist I (Merit) or Eligibility Specialist I (Merit) - Bilingual, as well as subsequent vacancies which occur during the life of the eligibility list. New employees should anticipate being hired at the beginning step of the salary range. Candidates who exceed entry level qualifications may be considered, with approval from the Board of Supervisors, for placement at other than A step. To learn more about Tehama County's Recruitment & Selection process, please click here. For questions about this recruitment please contact:

Matt Franssen 530-528-4931 | mfranssen@tcdss.org All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of background, fingerprinting, drug test and physical examination provided by the County. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANT / VETERANS\' PREFERENCE POLICY / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

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