Career Employment Specialist Supervisor

The Social Services Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time vacancy in Lompoc.  We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.

THE POSITION:  Under general direction, provides some or all of the following: plans, directs, and supervises the work of staff providing client services in such areas as employment counseling/preparation, client needs assessment, vocational training, job development/placement, referral to community resources and support services, program development & management, and program eligibility determination; and performs related duties as required.
The Career Employment Specialist Supervisor is the first full supervisory level in the Career Employment Specialist series.  Incumbents in the Career Employment Specialist series are assigned to one or more of the employment services programs within the Social Services Department, including the Workforce Development Board. Incumbents are responsible for supervising the day-to-day work activities of staff engaged in providing employment services to clients or workforce program activities within an assigned specialized employment services program and/or in an assigned geographical location, and may supervise employees who are determining and authorizing public assistance benefits, or Workforce Board operational or support functions and activities and duties assigned to the Workforce Development Board.  Some positions are assigned duties as trainers of newly appointed staff and are responsible for the training and supervision of such staff during their period of intensive training.

IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience as a lead worker or supervisor and ability to lead by example
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in dealing with both non-management and management staff
• Ability to plan for and ensure training of staff
• Willingness and ability to mentor, motivate and support staff development
• Knowledge of and ability to model the Department’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Ability to plan, prioritize and delegate work and resources to ensure goals are met
• Ability to establish a positive organizational tone and maintain positive working relationships
• Experience in the areas of Economic Development, Employment and Training, and Workforce Development
• Knowledge of rules and regulations governing eligibility for public assistance programs and/or employment and training programs administered by the department

Examples of Duties

1. Supervises and evaluates the work of staff engaged in providing client services in such areas as employment counseling and preparation, vocational training, job development and job placement, referral to community resources and support services, and program eligibility determination; interviews and participates in the selection of staff; develops and implements work unit goals and monitors progress toward these goals; organizes and coordinates staff activities efficiently to ensure the timely completion of tasks and projects required to meet department standards and performance measures; identifies the need for and provides staff training and development; ensures that subordinate employees have the resources necessary to accomplish their work; instructs staff on the interpretation of regulations and department rules and policies to assure consistency and conformity; counsels and disciplines employees regarding performance problems; resolves employee complaints and makes recommendations to superiors on difficult and complex personnel matters.
2. As staff to the Workforce Board, works in a team environment developing workforce projects that are implemented by contractors or partners; assists in the preparation of grant applications for funding of new workforce projects; performs program monitoring of sub-contractors; collecting data & reporting to the State or Federal government on program or project accomplishments; participates in the development of funding solicitations on behalf of WDB funding; participate in providing services to down-sizing or closing businesses; and, may perform business outreach and services on behalf of the countywide workforce development system.
3. Ensures compliance with rules, laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the line operation of assigned employment services program(s); monitors compliance with state and/or federal program regulations and reporting requirements; supervises and participates in quality control; reviews case documentation for completeness, accuracy, adherence to regulations/policies, and appropriateness of action(s) taken; reviews and approves employment plans and provider contracts; identifies and resolves operational problems; determines and takes necessary action to correct errors and resolve problems.
4. Provides technical direction and guidance in the appropriate application of policies and procedures to complex or unusual case circumstances; provides guidance in the use of various automated systems and related tools to meet processing and reporting requirements; receives and responds to inquiries from the general public and other agencies; responds to and resolves a variety of complaints from clients, service providers, employers, and the general public.
5. Prepares narrative and statistical reports or correspondence for management, or as required by the state and/or federal government, on client and work unit activities, the need for additional programs and services, and/or local labor market trends; represents the department in various committee meetings and conferences; interacts with other public agencies to coordinate client services or to provide or clarify information.
6. May be assigned additional supervisory, training, and/or routine administrative responsibilities, including working on pilot and other special projects, serving on various committees or task forces, making presentations regarding program goals and accomplishments, assisting other unit supervisors in interviewing candidates for employment and making hiring recommendations to management, performing various program outreach activities, and training new supervisors and staff.

Employment Standards

1. Completion of 18 semester units, 27 quarter units, or 18 continuing education credits in business administration, economics, behavioral sciences, or related field, such as sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, vocational guidance, or other coursework related to the provision of employment services and two years of experience equivalent to a Career Employment Specialist, Senior with Santa Barbara County; OR,
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.

Knowledge of: the principles and practices of employee supervision, training, and evaluation; techniques used in the development of employment plans; community educational and vocational resources and other community resources; general goals and purposes of public social services programs; Federal and State labor laws; laws and regulations pertaining to assigned program; fundamental principles of human behavior; various employment and training programs, and related client services; socioeconomic, physical, mental, behavioral, cultural, language, and other barriers to employment; interviewing and motivational techniques; methods for communicating with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds; vocational assessment, evaluation, counseling, and guidance methods; practices used in employment training, job development, and job placement; case management techniques; and computer operations and applications.

Ability to: plan, organize, schedule, coordinate, and evaluate the work of staff; secure cooperation and teamwork among staff; maintain a productive and effective workflow; read, apply, interpret, explain, and train staff on State and Federal laws and regulations and department policies and procedures governing assigned program area, including the WIOA; understand and apply vocational guidance, work-readiness appraisal, employment plan, assessment theory and concepts; develop approaches to mitigate/reduce barriers to employment; review cases of staff for accuracy, sufficiency, and completeness; collect and analyze data and identify operational problems; draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations, judgments, and decisions; learn the local labor market issues and trends; deal fairly with clients of various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds; make arithmetic calculations; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; organize and prioritize work assignments; maintain accurate and systematic records; prepare statistical and narrative reports; understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals; use and train others in the use of automated technology to maintain records and files; work effectively with other units of the department; learn to make group presentations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other County employees, clients, employers, representatives from resource and other outside agencies, and the public; assess and manage difficult or hostile persons/situations and call for intervention when appropriate; and maintain confidentiality of information.

Desirable Qualification: Experience as a lead worker or supervisor.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.  Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.  Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.  This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information, click here.   In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Statement of Commitment
 
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 5/14/24, 4:59 P.M. (PST) Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Jasmine Gaytan at jgayta@countyofsb.org