Employment and Training Specialist - English & Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Print


Employment and Training Specialist - English & Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Salary

$57,270.57 - $69,605.45 Annually

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

22/01-3030-OE&B

Department

Human Services Department (HSD)

Opening Date

01/06/2022

Closing Date

2/1/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

05

Position Information


Grow your career with the County of Sonoma!

A cash allowance of approximately $600/month will be added to the starting pay*
Plus, an additional $1.15/hour for bilingual assignments**
 
Employment and Training Specialists (ETSs) with the Human Services Department (HSD) are responsible for determining clients' eligibility for SonomaWORKS, CalFresh, and other public assistance and employment programs. In order to develop goals that help clients reach self-sufficiency, ETSs identify, analyze, and address social problems and barriers to employment. They monitor client progress through various programs, evaluate specific needs, and provide additional assistance as required. ETSs also work closely with counselors and partner staff on a variety of issues and strategies related to client’s progress, support, and case management, and are responsible for monitoring, motivating, and assisting clients in carrying out employment related activities.
 
Ideal candidates possess:

  • A passion for assisting others reach their employment goals
  • Strong word processing skills and attention to detail
  • Caseload management skills and familiarity with Safety-Net service programs
  • Experience working with regulations and the ability to accurately apply rules, policies, and procedures
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to build effective working relationships
The Employment and Training (E&T) Division

The E&T Division helps individuals and families with job search, financial assistance, and employment and training services. E&T also helps employers find qualified workers, and supports workforce development through community partnerships and Job Link, a Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board job center. E&T programs include:

  • California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  • Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board (WIB)
For additional information about the E&T Division, please visit our website.

The Benefits of County Employment

When you join HSD, you become part of a strong work family that makes a difference in lives of our community. We offer opportunities for growth, development, and the ability to be a part of a rewarding work environment. You can also look forward to excellent benefits,* including:

  • An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
  • County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
  • May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
  • Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two English and two fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) Employment and Training Specialist positions in the Human Services Department. Bilingual positions require English and Spanish skills at either the basic (conversational) or fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) level. Applicants who wish to be considered for a bilingual position must indicate their level of skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment to a bilingual position to confirm level of skill in this area. Bilingual premium pay is $1.15/hour.

The employment list established from this recruitment may also fill other full-time, part-time, and extra-help English or bilingual positions that may occur during the active status of the employment list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU).
 
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units at an accredited college including at least 18 semester or 24 quarter units in sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, business, math, or other related fields and two years of experience providing case work services, including some experience dealing with employment-related issues.

OR

One year of experience as an Eligibility Worker in an employment and training environment would provide such opportunity.

OR

One year of experience as an Eligibility Worker II with the County of Sonoma Human Services Department.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Special Requirement: Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: Federal, State, and County public assistance and employment and training programs, goals, regulations, policies, and procedures; principles, methods, and techniques of effective interviewing and techniques related to gathering relevant information; socioeconomic, physical, mental, and behavioral problems, cultural differences, and language barriers to employment; dynamics of human behavior including problem solving and motivational techniques; the use of computer information systems used within the agency; basic record keeping procedures and general office procedures; the use of tables and formulas.

Knowledge of: basic mathematics; the English language sufficient to read and understand job-related materials and to effectively explain them to clients; good public relations.

Ability to: assist clients in achieving the goal of self-sufficiency; work independently in performing most work assignments; define problems, analyze data, evaluate, and select from possible alternatives for problem resolution; identify potential and real barriers to employment; read, understand, and uniformly apply complex governmental regulations, directives, policies, and procedures; function effectively in a system with pressure, strict deadlines, and constant changes; use computer information systems and analyze and interpret such information; plan, organize, prioritize and process work to ensure deadlines are met; accurately complete basic mathematical computations; effectively communicate orally and in writing with persons from a variety of backgrounds; confer with staff on client problems, issues, and progress; refer clients to program components, staff, and other community services, as needed; assess and manage difficult and hostile person: or situations and call for intervention when appropriate; courteously deal with people both in person and on the telephone.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting-a-Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
 
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
 
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses which state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
 
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As the largest employer in Sonoma County, the Board of Supervisors has adopted a vaccination and testing policy to help mitigate transmission of COVID-19. All County employees will be required to either have documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (including booster, when eligible) on file or consent to twice weekly COVID-19 testing.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted on-line at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
 
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.   
 
HR Analyst: EP
HR Technician: RR    

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
 
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
 
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution toward the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit. For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU). A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.

Cash Allowance: In addition to monthly salary, a cash allowance of approximately $600 per month.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
 
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
 
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
  • Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
  • CalJobs
  • CareerBuilder
  • Careers in Government
  • College or University
  • Craigslist
  • Craigslist Mendocino
  • DiversityJobs
  • Employee of Sonoma County
  • Facebook
  • Glassdoor
  • GovernmentJobs.com
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • Jobs Available
  • La Voz
  • Latino Service Providers
  • LinkedIn
  • Los Cien
  • Minority Organization or Group
  • Press Democrat
  • sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
  • Sonoma County Human Resources Office
  • Sonoma County Job Line
  • StartHere!
  • Twitter
  • Veterans Services Office
  • Women's Organization or Group
  • Workplace Diversity
  • Other Internet Site
  • Other Publication
02
ENGLISH/SPANISH BILINGUAL ABILITIES: Do you have fluent English/Spanish bilingual abilities and wish to be considered for a bilingual position? (Fluent means the ability to speak, read, and write English & Spanish using correct grammar, translating accurately, conveying information correctly and clearly, etc.) Candidates must pass a bilingual proficiency examination to be eligible for a bilingual position.
  • Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills.
  • No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills and/or I do not wish to be considered for a bilingual position.
03
Please indicate if you would also be interested in part-time or extra-help positions (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) should they become available. Extra-help employees are not eligible for most benefits available to permanent employees. Candidates hired for extra-help positions remain eligible for full or part-time vacancies as they occur during the active status of this list. Check all that apply.
  • Yes, I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions.
  • Yes, I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions.
  • No, I do not wish to be considered for extra-help or part-time positions.
04
Please select the option which describes your qualifying education and experience, and provide a detailed explanation in Question 5.
  • I have completed 60 semester units or 90 quarter units at an accredited college, including at least 18 semester or 24 quarter units in sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, business, math, or other related fields; and have two or more years' experience providing case work services, including some experience dealing with employment-related issues.
  • I have one or more years' experience determining eligibility in an employment and training environment.
  • I have one or more years' experience determining eligibility as a Sonoma County employee.
  • I have a different combination of training and experience which meets the qualifying requirements.
05
For this question, and all subsequent questions, provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.

Based on your response to Question 4, please detail how you meet the education and experience requirements of this position.
06
Please provide an example that demonstrates your ability to monitor and motivate a client's progress. Include:
  • Details about the situation
  • The tools or methods you applied
  • Your assessment of the outcome
07
Please provide an example that demonstrates your ability to review, analyze, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and/or procedures when assisting a client.
08
Please describe your degree of proficiency (beginner, intermediate, advanced) using the following programs/software applications, and provide examples of the types of work products you have generated with them:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • Outlook
  • PowerPoint
  • Social service applications
  • Other, relevant applications

Required Question

Agency
County of Sonoma (CA)
Address
575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone
(707) 565-2331
Website
http://www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
Job Openings
Account
Terms Of Use
Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2024