Eligibility Examiner III

Under the supervision of a technical or administrative supervisor, an employee in this class determines a client’s financial eligibility for programs administered by the Department of Social Services and recommends amounts of assistance in accordance with established rules, regulations and procedures. Will provide ongoing team leadership for experienced Eligibility Examiner staff in the award of benefits for the more difficult or complex cases in the day-to-day operations of the division. This class is distinguished by the incumbent’s knowledge of the laws governing agency programs and their ability to recognize, identify and apply regulations and to effectively communicate that knowledge to staff and clients. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out assignments within prescribed rules, policies and procedures. Does related work as required.

On or before 12/19/26, to be eligible for this promotion exam, employees must be in the departments in which the vacancy exists and meet the promotion qualifications listed below:
• Twelve (12) months of service* in the title Eligibility Examiner II; and,
• Must be a current permanent, competitive class Eligibility Examiner II to sit for the exam. *NOTE: Pursuant to NYS Civil Service Law, section 52.10(a) which became effective 9/4/24, time served as a provisional Eligibility Examiner II counts towards meeting the time in title as long as it is immediately followed by a permanent Eligibility Examiner II appointment whether it be in the non-competitive (HELPS) class or the competitive class.

There will be a written test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. It will evaluate
knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:
Preparing written material: These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences. Interpreting and applying written Social Welfare program materials and using basic arithmetic in determining eligibility for assistance: You will be presented with written passages related to Social Services policies and procedures and be asked to interpret their meaning and/or apply this material to hypothetical case situations. Secondly, you will be given sets of written instructions and regulations regarding such Social Services programs as cash assistance, medical assistance, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. You must read and understand the instructions given, including schedules of arithmetic figures, and apply these instructions to hypothetical case problems. Some questions require using arithmetic to compute the correct amount of assistance. Previous knowledge of Social Services programs or the eligibility process is not required. Interviewing: You must apply principles and techniques of interviewing to such problems as asking and answering questions, explaining requirements and helping the client understand his or her responsibilities, helping the client feel at ease, structuring and controlling the interview, reacting appropriately to inconsistencies, dealing with a variety of feelings of clients, maintaining confidentiality, and identifying the need for and making appropriate referrals. In addition, some questions may deal with contacting or interacting with other community organizations and agencies to benefit the client or the general public. Supervision: These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline. A Guide for the Written Test for Social Welfare Examiner is available at the New York State website: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. Candidates not having access to a computer or the internet may request copy of the test guide from the municipal civil service office conducting this examination using the contact information found elsewhere on this announcement.
- Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held battery or solar calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, spell checkers, PDA’S, address books, language translators, dictionaries or any similar devices are prohibited. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PAGE(S) FOR ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

List will be used to fill future vacancies as they occur in the Albany County Department of Social Services and the Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families.