Eligibility Assistant

Position Information

Grow your career with the County of Sonoma as an Eligibility Assistant!


Starting salary at $29.57/hour ($61,716/year) plus a competitive total compensation package!*
Eligibility Assistants in the Economic Assistance Division of the Human Services Department play a key role in supporting the ongoing administration of public assistance programs, including CalFresh and Medi-Cal. They perform specialized clerical and case support functions by researching and registering applications, reviewing household and financial information, determining eligibility for expedited services, and establishing workflow for Eligibility Specialists. Eligibility Assistants also gather, verify, and enter client information into automated eligibility systems, manage case records, create eligibility-related tasks, and ensure applications and supporting documentation are complete and accurate. Additional responsibilities include:

• Providing direct customer service in a lobby environment
• Assisting clients with applications and program requirements and scheduling appointments
• Issuing EBT cards, responding to inquiries, handling confidential information, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources
• Providing support to case workers through various clerical activities
• Working with clients who are hostile, upset, or experiencing mental health struggles
• Operating a variety of modern office machines and equipment including personal computers, document imaging equipment, copiers, and printers
• Entering information into databases and spreadsheets and generating receipts and reports

The ideal candidates will possess many of the following:

• Exceptional customer service skills, including the ability to interact with clients in person, over the phone, and virtually through video conferencing
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with clients, co-workers, and community partners
• Experience working with a diverse cultural and socioeconomic population
• The ability to diffuse stressful situations and interactions
• A high degree of proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs
• Strong multi-tasking, problem-solving, and organization skills
• The ability to interpret and disseminate complex and sensitive documents
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Excel, Outlook, and Word
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
• Fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are desired, but not required

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department's mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, 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 responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.
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.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels 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
What We Offer


Working at the County of Sonoma 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:

• Salary Advancement - 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
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill four full-time Eligibility Assistant positions in the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified candidates who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education:

Any combination of experience, training, and education that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. A typical way to qualify is:

Two (2) years of office support experience, six (6) months of which included direct public contact and record keeping.


Special Requirement: Designated positions will require the ability to speak, read, and write in a specified language, in addition to English. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: principles and practices for providing customer service; procedures for managing files and records; modern office practices, methods, and procedures; standards of client confidentiality; office equipment, technology, and software applications.


Knowledge of: methods and techniques used in gathering, organizing, researching, and evaluating data; English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation; basic arithmetic functions; policies, programs, and procedures of the Human Services Department; cultural and human behavior to effectively interact with clients and coworkers.

Ability to: learn and use the Human Services Department's various automated systems to accomplish assigned work; learn to understand and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and other public assistance programs; learn and use eligibility program rules and regulations; learn to interact with individuals who display mental health issues, confusion, hostility, or who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol; answer a variety of questions related to department programs and processes; communicate eligibility requirements based on household composition and tax filing status to applicants for CalFresh and Medi-Cal; screen for expedited services; effectively deescalate interactions with clients displaying mental health issues, confusion, or hostility; perform job duties under stressful conditions; use appropriate questioning content and techniques for interviewing applicants; make referrals to appropriate agencies and social service programs; enter data accurately into an automated system with sufficient speed to perform the work; complete necessary documentation and paperwork; accomplish a high volume of work despite interruptions or shifting priorities; manage time; prioritize workload; maintain sensitive and confidential information; locate, identify, and correct inaccurate or incomplete information; exercise sound judgement while initiating processes, actions, and alternatives within established procedures and guidelines; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; understand and accept differences in human behavior; effectively interact with all populations, such as individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, generational, and/or socio-economic backgrounds; operate modern office equipment, including copiers, fax machines, printers, and computers; read and write English and make basic arithmetic calculations; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; and understand and follow oral and written instructions.

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 hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and 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. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

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 and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the 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 candidates.

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: Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax View phone number on click.appcast.io), 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: VH