Eligibility Technician I/II
County of Riverside
RecentPosted Feb 9
Recent Listing
Posted: February 9, 2026 (9 days ago)
This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.
Eligibility Technician I/II (Desert Locations Only)
County of Riverside
Dept. of Public Social Services
Location
Riverside, California, 92502-1569
Salary
$21.73 - $32.39
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
Open until filled
Job Description
Summary
This job involves helping people in desert areas of Riverside County apply for and manage public assistance programs like food stamps (McFresh) and cash aid for families (CalWorks), by interviewing applicants, reviewing their documents, and determining if they qualify.
It's a good fit for detail-oriented individuals who enjoy working directly with the community, have strong customer service skills, and are willing to commit to a lengthy training period.
Bilingual candidates are especially encouraged to apply for better service to diverse populations.
Key Requirements
- Successful completion of a mandatory 16-20 week induction training program
- Pass an 18-month probationary period before considering telework
- Bilingual skills preferred, especially for serving diverse communities in the desert region
- Ability to interview applicants, verify eligibility, and process applications for public assistance programs
- Strong organizational skills to handle detailed paperwork and case management
- Commitment to working in desert locations such as Desert Hot Springs, Indio, or Blythe
- Availability for video-recorded interviews as part of the hiring process
Full Job Description
.png)
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE. EARLY APPLICATION IS ENCOURAGED.
The County of Riverside's Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Self-Sufficiency Division is recruiting multiple bilingual and non-bilingual Eligibility Technician I/II positions for McFresh and CalWorks throughout the Desert Region only.
- Desert Region: Desert Hot Springs, Banning, Indio, Coachella, Cathedral City, Mecca, and Blythe
In addition to an exciting and challenging career opportunity with DPSS Self-Sufficiency or Children's Services, the County of Riverside offers a competitive salary*, outstanding benefits package and actively promotes a healthy work/life balance. Benefits include: a starting rate of 10 days paid vacation*, sick-time accrual, a CalPERS defined benefit retirement plan, medical flex benefit of $926.52 monthly, paid vision, short-term disability, life insurance, voluntary deferred compensation (457), and 12 paid holidays a year.
Teleworking as an Eligibility Technician may not be considered until newly hired employees pass their 18-month probationary period. After successful completion of this probationary period, teleworking can be requested but is not guaranteed.
*Competitive Salary, during the 18-month probationary period Eligibility Technicians will receive various increases. After the probationary period, 4% increases are scheduled on the anniversary date until the max rate of pay is achieved. For more information, please visit the benefits tab of this posting.
*Vacation Accrual (Bi-Weekly Accrual): 0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days), 4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days), 10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
jfc:43406102
Video Recorded Interviews
The Department of Public Social Services interviews for this position will be held by pre-recording the interview. Candidates who meet all requirements will be invited via email link to pre-record their responses to interview questions. The video will be reviewed at a later date by the hiring panel.
Salary Range:
Eligibility Technician I = $21.73 - $28.59 Hourly
Eligibility Technician II = $23.79 - $32.39 Hourly
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) provides services and assistance to protect and empower vulnerable people in our community.
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact:
Requirements
• Initially participate in Eligibility Technician Induction Training consisting of formalized class training and on-the-job training, which would give instruction to learn the typical duties performed by the journey level classes.
• Interview applicants for, and recipients of one or more aid categories, to assist them in the completion and clarification of the application and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based; conduct such interviews in the Department of Public Social Services, by phone, or in private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations outside of the Department; obtain pertinent information concerning such items as income, other financial resources, and financial obligations/debts from applicants and recipients; obtain additional information to resolve discrepancies in the applications and declarations by telephone, correspondence, or personal interviews.
• Determine eligibility in accordance with established procedures; dictate or record information for case records.
• Interpret program regulations and other pertinent material to applicants, recipients, and the general public.
• Maintain a focus on meeting the needs of internal and external customers; develop and maintain effective relationships with others; relate well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
• Obtain necessary information during phone and in-person interviews by establishing rapport, explaining the purpose of the interview, responding to customer concerns/questions, and/or asking appropriate follow-up questions.
• Write information, using accurate grammar, in a manner that is clear, well-organized, and follows a logical progression to ensure the writing is tailored to the intended audience or purpose.
• Use external systems, applications, search engines, and databases, including web browsers and web-based information systems to conduct research in order to determine and/or verify eligibility.
• Compute amount of grant authorized and perform other similar required computations.
• Prepare and maintain other documents associated with the eligibility determination process.
• On the basis of observation, or of needs expressed by applicant orally or in specified locations on the applications and declaration forms, refer all applicants and recipients who appear in need of social services to designated social work staff members after completing the appropriate referral forms.
Qualifications
ELIGIBILITY TECHNICIAN I: $21.7308 – $28.5905
Highly Desired: Working knowledge of CalSAWs (State Automated Welfare System) as well as interviewing clients to gather information and assisting clients with completing applications; and English-Spanish bilingualism.
Required Education/Experience:
OPTION I
Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination.
Experience: Two years of general or specialized clerical experience.
OPTION II
Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination.
Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination.
Experience: Two years of responsible experience that includes substantial work involving public contact, interviewing, math computations, or completing complex forms.
OPTION III
Education: Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with course work in social welfare, sociology, social/human services, other behavioral sciences, business/public administration, or a closely related field to the assignment.
Education: Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with course work in social welfare, sociology, social/human services, other behavioral sciences, business/public administration, or a closely related field to the assignment.
Experience: None required.
Knowledge of: Interviewing and record keeping techniques; standard office procedures and practices.
Ability to: Interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record, and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for various public assistance programs; correctly interpret the rules and regulations; speak and write effectively; maintain accurate and systematic records, establish priorities and meeting deadlines. deadlines.
ELIGIBILITY TECHNICIAN II: $23.7862 – $32.3930
Highly Desired: Working knowledge of CalSAWs (State Automated Welfare System) as well as interviewing clients to gather information and assisting clients with completing applications.
Required Education/Experience:
Education: Graduation from high school, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Experience: Twelve months of experience performing duties comparable to Riverside County's Eligibility Technician I classification.
Knowledge of: The goals of public social service agencies; the basic laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determinations for public assistance programs; interviewing and record keeping techniques; problems requiring referral to the social service staff; standard office procedures and practices; Microsoft Office.
Ability to: Interview effectively in a variety of settings; accurately gather, record, and correctly evaluate data necessary for the determination of eligibility for various public assistance programs; correctly interpret the rules and regulations governing eligibility determinations to applicants, recipients, and the general public; speak and write effectively; work with diverse populations and discuss sensitive matters; use a computer and navigate software interfaces; maintain accurate and systematic records; change focus rapidly; organize and process a high volume of work; identify problems requiring referral to other Department staff.
Additional Information
Other Requirements
Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.
Testing Information
All candidates will be REQUIRED to take an online test as part of the application process for this position. It is important that the instructions provided in the email are followed exactly.
All candidates will be REQUIRED to take an online test as part of the application process for this position. It is important that the instructions provided in the email are followed exactly.
Candidates who indicate that they are bilingual in Spanish will be required to take and pass an un-proctored Spanish bilingual assessment.
The Human Resources Department may require you to verify your identity and confirm test scores by retesting in a proctored environment. The County does not provide test scores to applicants.
Application StatusHow to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to www.GovernmentJobs.com, click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on “Applications & Status.”For questions regarding this recruitmentPlease contact Genesis Ochoategui at (951) 955-4593 or gochoategui@rivco.org.
Please allow 1-2 business days for response to general inquiries.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes