Position Information

This Program Specialist will sit in the Client Advocacy Unit of the Human Services Department and is responsible for gathering and analyzing complex data, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. They will work with supervisors, management staff, and other state, county, or community agencies to resolve issues regarding State and locally funded programs and ensure that clients are receiving the correct level of assistance. Program Specialists also evaluate appeals from clients of the Human Services Department, prepare cases, represent the County at State fair hearings, respond to civil rights complaints, and conduct thorough investigations.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations and be able to articulate them during a hearing
• Experience working with CalWIN, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, MEDS, CMSP, ACMS, OnBase, and General Assistance
• The ability to learn new systems, including web-based applications, used to determine benefits and process hearing workflows
• Strong public speaking skills with the ability to effectively develop and/or makes presentations
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with many competing and shifting priorities
• Strong writing, problem-solving, research, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with distraught clientele
• A passion for helping the most vulnerable individuals of our community
• Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically MS Word, MS Access, and MS Excel

About the Human Services Departmen t (HSD)

HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, our mission is to protect vulnerable children and adults, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing high quality, client-focused, cost-effective services and values the diversity, integrity, teamwork, leadership, and accountability of all staff in accomplishing the mission of the department.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local level to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services.

What We Offer

Working at HSD offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending upon assignment
• Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $1,700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
• May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment

• Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, coursework in social work, public administration, business administration, economics, psychology, sociology, law, paralegal, or a closely related area would provide this opportunity.

Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. One year of experience as a Social Service Supervisor, Eligibility Supervisor or clerical supervisor within the Human Services Department; or two years as an Eligibility Worker III or a Social Worker III in Sonoma County or one year of experience supervising child support staff or two years lead work experience in a Child Support Program would provide such opportunity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: regulations and procedures in TANF, CalWORKS/SonomaWORKS, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps and other Human Services or Child Support programs; principal sources of information necessary to establish eligibility for various public assistance programs or child support programs; methods and techniques used in researching, analyzing and presenting economic assistance information.

Working knowledge of: rules and regulations governing all Human Services and Child Support department services and programs; appropriate techniques for providing in-service training to adults; departmental computer applications and systems; principles of employee supervision; written and oral communication techniques, including language mechanics, syntax, and principles of English composition.

Ability to: read, review, research, and analyze information including complex rules and regulations; design and conduct an effective training program on a variety of issues; plan, organize and prioritize work assignments; develop rapport and work cooperatively with all levels of department staff and the general public; analyze problems and complaints and identify solutions; prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports; understand, interpret and apply procedures, laws, rules and regulations as they apply to assigned area; ensure proper compliance with federal, state and local guidelines, policies, goals, rules and regulations; train staff; analyze appeals; present statement of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in both oral and written form.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
• Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: EV