Public Assistance Specialist I

Public Assistance Specialist I

Salary

$55,244.80 - $67,163.20 Annually

Location

See Position Description, CA

Job Type

Regular / Full Time

Job Number

2026-00109

Department

Health and Human Services Agency

Division

Service Centers

Opening Date

07/27/2026

Closing Date

8/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

G

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill multiple, full-time positions in the class of Public Assistance Specialist at the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). Incumbents could be hired as permanent staff or be offered a limited term assignment. These positions could work at one of our multiple office locations including Woodland, West Sacramento, Davis and Winters. Candidates who speak, write, and read Spanish, Farsi or Russian, in addition to English, are strongly encouraged to apply. The County offers a bilingual pay differential for employees that are able to translate or interpret in those languages. Once the recruitment closes qualified applicants will be invited to an in person written exam.

We recognize your time is valuable, so please carefully review the Employment Standards section of this bulletin to ensure that you meet the requirements prior to applying.

Is this job for you?

The job of a Public Assistance Specialist (also known as an Eligibility Worker) is both challenging and rewarding. While many people thrive in this job, others quickly realize that this is not the job for them. In order to help candidates decide if this is the right job for them, here is a little you should know about this job:

What to Expect as a New Employee:

All new employees hired into this job go straight into an intense, comprehensive three month classroom training program, also known as "induction training". The following three months include intense supervised training, where new employees manage a small caseload under immediate supervision. The next six months are spent gradually working towards full caseload capacity and independent work activities.

What the Job is Really Like:

Many candidates believe that this job will allow them to "help people". And while this job can certainly be rewarding and fulfilling, this job does not include social service casework, meaning you will not be responsible for working with clients in an attempt to resolve their personal or social problems. For example, you may determine that a homeless client is eligible for temporary housing, but you will not work with the client to address the underlying reasons for their homelessness.

Most employees in this job describe the work environment as high volume, fast-paced, deadline-timeline driven, and full of interruptions. This work is highly regulation driven with ongoing reliance on regulations, and as a result, changes are a regular occurrence. There is a lot of paperwork and data to be processed, and new cases coming in each day. As a result, work is not able to be "completed" by the end of the day. Employees are never bored in this job. Employees work in a team environment, and work both on their own caseload, as well as others cases in certain situations. Those that are the most successful in this job: like working with people, are extremely organized and pay close attention to details, make customer service a priority, and are comfortable with changing tasks with little notice.

Challenges:

Some challenges that employees face in job include:

• Clients that are distrustful, hostile, and demanding
• Highly emotional situations where it can become challenging to remain calm
• Becoming disheartened or saddened that you cant help everyone
• Accepting clients life style, cultural and/or values may be significantly different than your own, and interacting with them in a non-judgmental manner. Clients will include: homeless families, convicted felons, those with substance abuse and mental illness, victims of domestic violence, etc.
• Maintaining professional boundaries while remaining empathetic to our clients
• Working with clients who often do not take the necessary actions within the required timeframe.
• High volume of work that cannot be "completed" at the end of each day.
• Performing repetitive, "call-center" work, where you may be on the phone for your entire shift.

Rewards:

Employees are rewarded in this job in the following ways:

• The job is never boring and each day is different.
• You are able to contribute to the agencys vision of safe, healthy, and economically stable Yolo County residents.
• You work in a team environment, everyone in Yolo County HHSA pitches in to help those in need in Yolo County.
• It is a great entry level position for those interested in a long term career in social services, many of the staff in this classification promote up to lead workers or positions in Adults and Childrens services.
• Roughly 25% of Yolo Countys overall population utilizes one of our programs. This couldnt happen without the support and hard work of Public Assistance Specialists. Your work directly leads to Yolo County residents in need being able to access medical care, feed their family, pay their rent or avoid homelessness. This work genuinely changes the lives of those in need in Yolo County and you can be a part of this exciting mission!
• The County offers excellent compensation and benefits.

Sounds great! Now what?

If this is the job for you, please submit an online County of Yolo Employment Application by 5pm on the final filing date.

Definition

Under supervision, performs initial and continuing eligibility determinations for two or more categories of public assistance through interactive interviews with individuals in need of social services; maintains and applies knowledge of state, federal and county rules, regulations, policies and procedures for multiple public assistance programs; recognizes the need for social services and makes appropriate referrals; and initiates and processes casework through an automated computer system.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Public Assistance Specialist class has two salary levels, and positions in this class are flexibly staffed. The Public Assistance Specialist I is the entry-level classification in this classification series. Initially, incumbents work under close supervision, and are given detailed instructions in the performance of routine casework services and eligibility determinations that are more structured and repetitive than those assigned to the Public Assistance Specialist II. As skills and knowledge are developed, incumbents are expected to perform increasingly responsible and difficult assignments.

Incumbents may advance to Public Assistance Specialist II after demonstrating the ability to perform the full journey level duties of the class. The Public Assistance Specialist II is the journey level classification responsible for performing the full range and scope of work. Incumbents work under general supervision and are expected to be proficient in performing a variety of responsible and difficult casework services and eligibility determinations.

Public Assistance Specialist II differs from Public Assistance Specialist III in that the latter is the lead and advanced journey level in the Public Assistance Specialist class series. Incumbents in the Public Assistance Specialist III class are responsible for leading and performing the most difficult, complex, and/or sensitive assignments related to public assistance eligibility determinations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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

• Applies Federal, State and County rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to eligibility for two or more public assistance programs.
• Conducts interactive interviews with individuals in need of public assistance at varied locations including the office, the customers home and out-of-home care facilities.
• Advises customers over the telephone, in person or in group settings of their rights, responsibilities and eligibility for program participation; explains rules, regulations and policies to customers and the general public.
• Determines eligibility for multiple public assistance programs; reviews forms and documents for completeness and consistency; initiates information requests from outside sources; verifies reported information; assists customers in identifying and obtaining information necessary to establish eligibility and/or resolve discrepancies; and monitors customer compliance with program requirements.
• Reviews and analyzes customer financial information to determine eligibility for public assistance; calculates benefit amounts to be authorized; and performs other computations and calculations.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties related to assigned duties including filing, typing, word processing, and answering telephones.
• Initiates, processes and maintains casework through an automated computer system including entering and retrieving narrative and numerical data.
• Writes case narratives and prepares other appropriate documentation in both written and electronic case files.
• Establishes and maintains controls to ensure timely actions and quality caseload management.
• Refers customers who appear in need of other social services to appropriate social services staff.
• Makes fraud referrals to the investigative unit when there is a reason to suspect fraud may have occurred.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; relates effectively to persons of diverse backgrounds.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of related education and experience totaling at least one and one-half (1 1/2) years is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is as follows:

Education: Equivalent to completion of forty-five (45) semester units from an accredited college or university with some coursework in social science, sociology, psychology, business or public administration; OR

Experience: Eighteen (18) months of full-time paid work experience providing customer service in a social services or other public agency; OR

Experience: Eighteen (18) months of experience determining eligibility for loans, financial assistance, unemployment or veterans benefits or eligibility for health, counseling or social services.

License Requirements:

Positions in this classification require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California drivers license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing quality service to customers and the general public
• Current laws, rules and regulations of public assistance programs
• Principles of interviewing and verifying information
• Forms and office procedures used to administer public assistance programs
• General goals of public social service agencies
• Family and individual needs requiring referral to other health and human services programs
• Department and community resources available to customers
• Interviewing and record keeping techniques and standard office procedures
• Basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications

Ability to:

• Read, understand and follow complex laws, rules, regulations and policies relating to determining eligibility for public assistance programs
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Prioritize and organize work and affectively multitask
• Remain focused while performing sometimes repetitive work amid interruptions
• Apply critical thinking skills to be able to recognize and evaluate problems and find solutions
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff and the general public, and provide culturally competent services
• Maintain records in an accurate, organized, confidential and efficient manner

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Application Process

It is highly recommended that you print this job bulletin for future reference.

Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the closing date. Application information must be current, concise, and related to the requirements in this job announcement. A resume may be included with your application; however, it will not substitute for the information requested on the application. In addition to a completed application, applicants are required to submit a completed supplemental questionnaire, and verification of education for this position. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Additional documents may be submitted to the Yolo County Human Resources Office in any one or more of the following ways:

• As an attachment to the online application
• By e-mail to hhsa.jobs@yolocounty.gov
• By hand-delivery to 625 Court Street, Room 101, Woodland, CA 95695. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All required documents must be received by the Human Resources Office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Human Resources is not responsible for the untimely delivery of materials sent via U.S./specialized mail, or County interoffice mail.

Selection Procedure

The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process. The selection process steps, and all listed dates, may change with or without notice.

• Screen for Minimum Qualifications

• Screen for Best Qualified

• Department Selection Interviews

• Reference Checks

• Conditional Job Offer, pending:

• Pre-Employment Exams

• Drug & Alcohol Screen

• Department of Justice LiveScan

• Proof of Vaccination or Exemption

• Confirmed Job Offer

• Estimated Start Date: September 2026

Verification of Education

Acceptable forms of educational documentation are official or unofficial transcripts that list the students name, institution name, field of study and date the degree was awarded.

For recent graduates who have not received proof of their degree yet, a letter from the registrars office stating that all requirements for graduation have been met and listing the field of study will be sufficient proof of graduation.

Please do not send originals; copies of the required documents are acceptable. Any submitted documents will not be returned.

All foreign transcripts or diplomas must be in English. If the institution does not provide these documents in English, the applicant will need to provide a translation which has been done by a professional agency. The County of Yolo will accept education as equivalent to U.S. accreditation from Institutions that are listed as members of the International Association of Universities. You may check for your school by visiting the IAU web site (http://www.iau-aiu.net/content/institutions).

Applicants who possess a degree or completed coursework that is not from an accredited college or university, must submit one of the following:

1. A written statement from a U.S. accredited university or college that states that the applicant is qualified for entrance to a program of graduate studies for which a degree in a related field is required.

2. An evaluation of the applicants degree and coursework equivalency by a private organization that provides foreign credential evaluation services. The evaluation must include a comparison of comparable U.S. courses for content, credit and grade.

Note: Foreign language documents must include a precise word-for-word English translation of all foreign language documents. It is the responsibility of each applicant to prove to the satisfaction of the County that the applicant meets the specific requirements listed on the job announcement for each specific examination. The following is a list of private organizations that provide foreign credential evaluation services. Fees range from $50 to $400 per document; processing times vary from 5-20 business days. For further information, please contact the organization(s). The County of Yolo does not endorse these business entities; this list has been developed for informational purposes only.

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS EVALUATION SERVICE

601 University Ave., Suite 127

Sacramento, CA 95825

(916) 921-0790

www.eres.com

FOREIGN EDUCATION DOCUMENT SERVICE

P.O. Box 151739

San Diego, CA 92175

(619) 265-5810

www.documentservice.org

CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH, EVALUATION & EDUCATION, INC.

P.O. Box 18358 Anaheim, CA 92817

(714) 237-9272

www.iescaree.com

GLOBAL SERVICES ASSOCIATES, INC.

409 North Pacific Coast Highway, # 393

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

(310) 828-5709

www.globaleval.org

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH FOUNDATION CREDENTIALS EVALUATION SERVICE

P.O. Box 3665

Culver City, CA 90231-3665

(310) 258-9451

www.ierf.org

Verification of Certification

Acceptable forms of certification and/or formal training documentation are certificates that list the applicants name, institution name, course title and date the certificate was awarded. If applicable, the verifying documentation should include a certification/license number as well as an expiration date.

Written Examination

All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written examination. This examination may test for, but is not limited to, the essential knowledge and abilities listed in this job announcement. Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date, time, and location of the examination to the email address included in the application. All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination, in conjunction with any county or veteran's preference points.

Contact Information

For questions about the position or about employment with the County, please contact Human Resources by e-mail at hhsa.jobs@yolocounty.gov or by phone at (530) 666-8600.

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the County of Yolo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. The County will comply with all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants. Reasonable testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities or who are unable to attend a scheduled test due to religious reasons in accordance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call the County of Yolo Human Resources Office at (530) 666-8055 at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled test date to request accommodation. Documentation from a medical doctor, rehabilitation counselor, or other qualified professional will be required.

RETIREMENT

Were you hired into a CalPERS or other public agency reciprocal system for the first time on or before January 1, 2013? If so, you most likely have "Classic" member status. Classic members of CalPERS (or CalPERS reciprocal) agencies who come to work for Yolo County will remain Classic members!

• "Classic" member CalPERS retirement formulas are:

Misc: 2.5% at 55

Safety: 3.0% at 55

Deputy Sheriff Safety: 3.0% at 50

• "New" member CalPERS retirement formulas (for employees hired into a CalPERS agency for the first time after January 1, 2013) are:

Misc: 2% @ 62

Safety: 2.7% @ 57

BENEFITS

The County of Yolo offers a generous benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• CalPERS Retirement
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Administrative Leave
• Holidays & Floating Holidays
• Disability Plans
• Social Security & Medicare

Benefits for County positions are specific to the bargaining unit of the position. Review the job opportunity information to find the bargaining unit code or search the Countys Salary Resolution which identifies the bargaining unit for each County classification.

Once youve identified the bargaining unit, you can look up the MOU and benefits for a particular position by going to our Benefits by Bargaining Unit summary on the Labor Relations webpage.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education.

• No college
• Some college
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Master Degree or higher

02

Official/unofficial transcripts or photos of diploma are acceptable forms of education verification. To affirm that I have completed the noted education, I have attached a copy of my diploma or transcripts to my application.

• Yes
• No
• N/A

Required Question

Employer County of Yolo

Address 625 Court Street, Room 101

Woodland, California, 95695

Phone (530) 666-8055

Website http://www.yolocounty.org