Workforce Development Board Business Specialist I/II

Make a lasting impact on your community – apply your leadership and innovation skills to shape workforce success and drive meaningful change with the Workforce Development Board!

The Department of Social Services is currently accepting applications to fill one full-time vacancy in Santa Maria with the Workforce Development Board (WDB). We are also establishing a list for future vacancies in Lompoc, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

THE POSITION:  The Department Business Specialist staff supports the federally mandated, private-sector-led Workforce Development Board in its various programs. They are responsible for their functional areas and are expected to be program subject matter experts, thoroughly familiar with the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA), and the principals of project management. They must also possess the ability to represent the WDB and his/her functional program areas with the public, partners, and stakeholders. This position may supervise other staff.

Workforce Development Board: 
The WDB staff perform four  primary functions, led by the Executive Director, a Deputy Director, and a Team Project Leader: (1) support & policy development for the private sector-led Workforce Board; (2) provide oversight & guidance to program operators/contractors, as well as new program development; and, (3) program support including contract development with DSS Contracts staff, budget monitoring & oversight – in tandem with DSS Fiscal staff, and compliance monitoring; (4) business engagement to identify employment and opportunities for work-based learning. This new DBS will report directly to the Team Project Leader, and perform assignments in and across all four areas.
Department Business Specialist I/II?is a professional-level, flexibly-staffed classification series:

• Department Business Specialist I is the entry level and may lead but would not typically supervise staff.
• Department Business Specialist II is the journey level and may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over other professional staff. Incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable in department business processes and at least one of the following: critical program regulations; governmental fiscal record keeping – including budget, contract, and grant preparation and monitoring; or automated systems.

PLEASE NOTE:  The candidate may be appointed to the DBS I or DBS II level depending on the candidate’s qualifications.

IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Positive attitude, openness, strong interpersonal skills and client service focus
• Supervisory or lead experience
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Dependability and follow-through to meet deadlines
• Good judgment under pressure, tact, and diplomacy
• Flexibility, open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, unexpected obstacles, and effectively deals with ambiguity
• Strong analytical, organizational, oral/written communication skills
• Background in development of presentations, tools and training materials for a wide variety of audiences
• Excellent teamwork and influence – ability to work with staff and management to facilitate process improvement and problem solving
• Results-oriented approach in identifying and implementing improvements/innovations necessary for successful service delivery and ability to engage staff in that process
• Knowledge of California Department of Social Services regulations, W&I Code,
• Strong background in analysis and report writing for a wide variety of audiences
• Ability to develop and conduct professional presentations appropriate for a wide variety of audiences
• Ability to work with staff on process improvement and problem solving
• Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Examples of Duties

1. Researches and analyzes rules, regulations, legislation, and procedures to determine their impact on departmental processes, reporting, and fiscal requirements; develops and recommends policies and procedures; and identifies and validates business process requirements, critical success factors, and fiscal, technological, and environmental constraints and assumptions.
2. Develops written procedures to implement adopted policy or to clarify and describe standard practices; coordinates the development or revision of policies and procedures to support new processes and systems, reduce costs, enhance revenue, and maximize service levels; evaluates organizational impact of changes; prepares response strategies; designs and improves forms; and coordinates publication and dissemination of such material.
3. Serves as liaison with clients and representatives of private businesses, state and/or federal agencies, and other County departments to coordinate special projects and to provide specified administrative services such as budget reports generated from automated financial systems or contracts for services based on an analysis of program needs and available funding; represents the department in the development of, or change in, programs and regulations; and gathers information for use in assigned studies or management decisions.
4. Participates in meetings and presents data to assist managers in making operational and administrative decisions.
5. Acts as program expert in answering staff questions, liaison with auditors on programmatic matters, and may conduct quality assurance reviews on cases.
6. Provides staff support and coordination for subcommittees and workgroups, special stakeholder groups, roundtable meetings, and strategic planning workgroups.
7.  Provides support to external sub recipients and contracted staff to ensure programs and department’s goals and objectives are met, under the direction of the team project leader, but with a high degree of independence and minimum supervision
8. Supports on day-to-day basis, the Operations Support Unit;  focused primarily on compliance-functions, ensuring operations of programs are in compliance with federal and state requirement, under the direction of the WDB deputy director, but with a high degree of independence and minimum supervision,
9. Works closely with fiscal team on the WDB budgets, and in the initial review of invoices.
10. May lead or supervise staff

Employment Standards

1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, sociology, social work, public administration, economics, human resources, psychology, political science, liberal studies, education, or other related field; OR,
2. Possession of an associate’s degree in business administration, sociology, social work, public administration, economics, human resources, psychology, political science, liberal studies, education, or other related field AND two years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; OR,
3. Four years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; OR,
4. A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required competencies.

Note: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply.  Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.

COMPETENCIES: Under general direction, supports departmental staff in the proper and efficient application of business process, fiscal, and/or information system analysis in order to improve the service delivery of programs; analyzes and reports on program requirements and performance; and performs related duties as required.
For the required competencies requirements and the full classification specification, click HERE

Additional Information:

• Independent travel throughout the county and state will be required.  Possession of a valid Class C Driver’s License will be required at the time of appointment.
• Fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code may be required for some positions.
• Current technical or professional knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession.

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.

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of:
(1) honorable discharge from active military service; or,
(2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, 
(3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.
No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must:  (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points
box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

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: 10/21/24 at 4:59 P.M. (PST) Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com