Social Services Benefits Specialist Trainee

Social Services Benefits Specialist Trainee

Salary

$70,695.04 - $85,321.60 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-E4R-A

Department

Social Services Agency - DEBS

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

17

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under close supervision, to receive classroom and on-the-job training in managing cases and/or tasks involving clients applying for and/or receiving assistance through one or more public assistance programs and private healthcare plans listed under the California Healthcare Exchange.

This is a trainee-level position within the Social Services Benefits Specialist series. Successful candidates must satisfactorily complete six months of training, tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2026, before promoting to Social Services Benefits Specialist. If training is not satisfactorily completed, the trainee will be released from County employment. Absence during the six-month training will jeopardize the completion of the program, therefore, vacations will NOT be approved during the training period.

In addition to meeting the employment standards, a qualified candidate must possess bilingual proficiency in at least one of the following languages:

• Farsi
• Russian
• Mandarin, or
• Cantonese

To qualify for placement on our hiring list, applicants must demonstrate Level II proficiency by successfully passing a formal bilingual certification exam. This mandatory assessment evaluates your ability to fluently read, write, and speak in both English and your second language, and passing it is a required prerequisite prior to being hired into any bilingual position.

NOTE: Candidates who meet all required criteria will be invited to take an online written examination tentatively scheduled for September 20, 2026, through September 28, 2026 as well as a bilingual examination which will be scheduled at a later date.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level as assigned. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Learns to analyze, evaluate, and verify financial, employment, personal, and social records, documents, and information to determine eligibility and benefit levels, verify applicable work requirements, and perform case maintenance for public assistance programs and follows County, Federal and State guidelines and timeframes to assist individuals by reviewing and informing clients of available private healthcare plans listed under the California Healthcare Exchange;
• Learns to review and comply with court orders and legal filings;
• Computes clients' financial budgets and evaluates clients' benefits using required data and case management systems; initiates and updates clients' budget, records, and other documents subject to approval and authorization by the supervisor or trainer;
• Enters data and reviews and interprets information; learns to utilize all available Program and Policy documents to rectify inconsistencies and inaccuracies;
• Organizes workload so that necessary records and documents are processed and updated in accordance with departmental and program deadlines and regulations, and is responsible for the quantity and quality of assigned work;
• Reviews program materials and keeps abreast of and implements changes involving programs, regulations, policies and procedures, and systems;
• Contacts individuals, public and private agencies, law enforcement, businesses, and other sources to verify eligibility data or to clarify documentation discrepancies or gaps in information;
• Interviews applicants and clients by phone, electronic meeting format, or in person;
• Obtains personal and financial information, assists with completion of forms, and obtains required verifications to determine potential program eligibility;
• Documents information received per required timeframes, such as benefit determinations, referrals and requests made, agreements reached, and supplementary comments;
• Learns to recognize concerns that may require referrals and makes referrals to departmental social services programs or to other services or agencies;
• Learns to review and/or update time on aid information for applicable public assistance programs;
• Learns to determine whether overpayments and/or over issuances are recoupable or ineligible for collection, and assists in collection when recoupable;
• Acts as a Mandated Reporter as required by State and/or County policies;
• Learns to implement program regulations, policies, and procedures following established timeframes for applicants and clients;
• May conduct field visits to obtain or verify eligibility data, upon request;
• May attend trainings, staff, and workgroup meetings;
• May testify at hearings and in court, as needed;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or equivalent;

and

One (1) year of full-time clerical work and/or customer service experience.

Preference for six (6) months experience of public contact and interviewing to obtain financial and/or personal data.

Special Requirements

• Incumbents must successfully complete the Santa Clara County Social Service Benefits Specialist Trainee induction training program requirements and are expected to qualify for the higher class of Social Services Benefits Specialist at the end of the induction training or vacate the position.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Basic public contact skills and techniques of interviewing;
• Standard office procedures and practices;
• Goals of public assistance programs;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Learn how to read and interpret electronic documents;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Reason logically and accurately;
• Work independently and/or as part of a team;
• Effectively interview people in difficult circumstances of deprivation or emotional distress to elicit personal and financial information;
• Learn to assess family relationships and situations;
• Determine clients needs and make appropriate referrals;
• Effectively and accurately utilize required data and case management systems to determine program eligibility;
• Keep informed and adapt quickly to changes relating to agency program rules, policies, and regulations;
• Accurately gather, record, and evaluate information necessary to determine eligibility for public assistance programs;
• Follow State guidelines to assist individuals by reviewing and informing clients of available private healthcare plans listed under the California Healthcare Exchange, if requested;
• Understand and accurately follow complex instructions and procedures;
• Establish and maintain accurate records and documentation;
• Perform mathematical calculations;
• Organize workload so that records and documents are completed and updated within required strict time limits and deadlines;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Sit for extended periods of time while focusing on detailed written text.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Please include the name of employers, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week for questions asking about work experience. Do you understand these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are a current regular county employee, please list your Santa Clara County Employee ID number. If you do not have a Santa Clara County Employee ID number, type N/A.

03

I understand that this is a trainee level position within the Social Services Benefits Specialist series, and, that successful candidates must complete six months of training successfully to stay in the position and be promoted to Social Services Benefits Specialists.

• Yes
• No

04

I understand that if I do NOT complete the six months eligibility training successfully, I will be released from probationary status.

• Yes
• No

05

I understand that absence during the training will jeopardize completing the training successfully, therefore, vacation requests will NOT be approved during the six-month training period.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a high school diploma, GED or equivalent training and experience to a high school diploma?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have experience with clerical work and/or customer service experience?

• Yes
• No

08

Select the amount of experience you possess with clerical work and/or customer service experience.

• Less than 3 months
• 3 months but less than 6 months
• 6 months but less than 9 months
• 9 months but less than 12 months
• 1 year or more
• No experience

09

Describe your experience with clerical work and/or customer service experience. Include employer name, your job title, dates of employment (month/year began to month/year ended), and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

10

Do you have experience with public contact and interviewing customers/clients to obtain financial and/or personal data?

• Yes
• No

11

Select the amount of experience you possess with public contact and interviewing customers/clients to obtain financial and/or personal data experience.

• 1 month but less than 2 months
• 2 months but less than 3 months
• 3 months but less than 4 months
• 4 months but less than 5 months
• 5 months but less than 6 months
• 6 months or more
• No experience

12

Describe your experience with public contact and interviewing customers/clients to obtain financial and/or personal data. Include employer name, your job title, dates of employment (month/year began to month/year ended), and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

13

Select the level that best describes your data entry level experience entering information into a computer.

• Proficient
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Applicable

14

List all computer programs you have experience using (i.e., Microsoft EXCEL, WORD, ACCESS, etc.). For each program you list state how you used these computer programs or information. Include employer name, your job title, dates of employment (month/year began to month/year ended), and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

15

Please select the language in which you speak, read, and write fluently. If you select other, you may list the language on the following question. NOTE: If selected for a language skill position, candidate must be Level II language certified (speak, read & write), or certify prior to start of assignment (extended offer is conditional upon passing all pre-employment requisites).

• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Farsi
• Russian
• Cambodian
• Arabic
• Korean
• Tagalog
• Other Language
• English Only

16

If you selected Other Language, provide the name of the language in which you speak, read and write fluently. NOTE: Selected candidate must be Level II language certified (speak, read & write), or certified prior to start of assignment (extended offer is conditional upon passing all pre-employment requisites).

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/