Human Services Specialist I - Eligibility

Human Services Specialist I - Eligibility

Salary

$55,385.76 - $67,614.72 Annually

Location

Eric Rood Government Center (Western County), 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-0123

Department

Social Services

Opening Date

06/17/2026

Closing Date

7/2/2026 8:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Definition and Class Characteristics

INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD JULY 9, 2026

Looking to make a positive difference in peoples lives? Consider working as a Human Services Specialist at the Health and Human Services Agency in Nevada County! The Human Services Specialist I is a trainee-level position in which individuals will receive in-service training and are given detailed instructions pertaining to Social Services Eligibility programs. The Human Services Specialist II is a journey level position in which individuals are given general instructions pertaining to a broad range of Social Services, Veterans Services, or Child Support programs. Human Services Specialist IIs are expected to manage a full, multi-program caseload independently, referring regulatory or technical questions to a lead or supervisor. Other vital duties include:

• Perform interactive interviews and identify eligibility for public assistance programs and services.
• Connecting customers to community services and programs.
• Collect and analyze financial data to determine eligibility for multiple aid programs or child support obligations.
• Assist customers in acquiring their federal, state, and local benefits.
• Counsel customers on a wide spectrum of available resources for customers and their dependents.
• Explain laws, regulations, rules, and policies to customers and guide them of their rights, complaint resolution process, and responsibilities.
• Perform initial application interview for public assistance programs and services.
• Ensure accuracy and completion of application and declaration forms.
• Attend outreach events and assist community members with applying for public assistance programs.
• Assist current customers with retaining benefits through phone call reminders and assistance with verification collection.
• Explain laws, regulations, rules, and policies to customers and guide them of their rights, complaint resolution process, and responsibilities.
• Prepare and process correspondence, reports, and legal documents.
• First responder for Office of Emergency Services calls for assistance.

A Human Services Specialist is an integral part of our team whose mission is to protect lives, promote health and wellness, and provide support and services to help Nevada County residents meet their basic needs and to improve the quality of life in our community! This classification is crafted for individuals who have graduated from high school and have an Associate of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Business, Psychology, Social Work or a related degree. One year of general clerical or administrative work experience is required for a Human Services Specialist I. One year of work experience comparable to a Human Services Specialist I is required for a Human Services Specialist II.

Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others are highly valued. Other relevant personal traits include social skills, a strong sense of responsibility, a team approach and the ability to manage time optimally.

Our full-time staff members enjoy an extensive benefit package including but not limited to a generous leave program, 11 standard holidays and 3 floating holidays, CalPERS retirement, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses, and a deferred compensation plan including 401(a), 457(b), and Roth options. Nevada County is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program through the Department of Education. And because we care about work-life balance, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options to our staff depending on program needs!

Why Nevada County?

Because here, your contribution, your worth, your ideas, all have a place! We thrive on transparent and ongoing communication through employee newsletters, social media and hosted sites. We strive to be the best version of ourselves through continuous improvement. We learn and grow as a team. Great discoveries happen when people from a diverse set of backgrounds come together. Best of all, you make a difference in the lives of our community every day. Bring your whole self to our place.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

To learn about this job and the minimum requirements, click here.

Education and Experience Required

Graduation from high school/possession of GED certificate plus Associate of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Business, Psychology, Social Work or a related degree. One year of general clerical, administrative, business office, or technical work experience required. Experience in a setting involving extensive public contact, heavy phone usage, and customer service is preferred.

Benefits Guide

The Benefits Guide is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit summaries and agreements (MOUs) for additional benefit information.

Health Insurance

The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.

Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts

The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.

Life Insurance

Voya is the Countys life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance

Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.

Retirement

The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.

CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62

CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, www.calpers.ca.gov, to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.

NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.

Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-7010 option 2

Human.resources@nevadacountyca.gov

www.nevadacountyca.gov

01

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• Did not graduate High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Some College - no degree
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02

Please tell us the subject area of your college education.

03

Which of the following best describes your experience performing general clerical, data entry, and typing experience?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3 or more years

04

How would you describe your level of knowledge/experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook e-Mail)?

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
• I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

05

Please describe your experience in working in an environment where you were required to multi-task with time-sensitive deadlines.

06

Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team? What percentage of your time would you allocate to each, given a choice?

07

We use several computer systems to complete our work. Tell us about your experience with various software platforms and your comfort level for learning new systems.

08

What are your thoughts about the welfare system and the people that receive the benefits?

09

If a person earns $23.00 per hour, works 32 hours per week and is paid every other week, what is their total gross monthly income?

10

We often have Human Services Specialist openings in several departments. Please select departments you are interested in working for.

• Social Services
• Child Support
• Veterans Services
• No Preference

11

The ability to speak Spanish would be an asset to this position, but it is not required. Please list whether you speak Spanish.

• I do not speak Spanish
• I speak some Spanish
• I am fluent in Spanish

12

We often have openings for both regular and limited-term positions. Please indicate which positions you are interested in.

• Regular
• Limited Term
• No Preference

Required Question

Employer County of Nevada

Address 950 Maidu Avenue

Nevada City, California, 95959

Phone 530 265 7010

Website https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/