Position Information

As an Employment and Training Human Services Aide II, you will be responsible for providing routine non-technical assistance and supportive services to clients and staff. You will act as a liaison between professional staff, disadvantaged individuals, and groups in the community, and will also:

• Provide support to units of case workers through various clerical activities
• Greet clients and assist them with questions and the completion of forms and applications
• Provide outreach to schools, neighborhoods, and the community to ensure those who need services are able to access them
• De-escalate tense situations while working with hostile or upset clients
• Act as a liaison with community agencies by keeping rosters and client paperwork updated
• Answer service center phones and provide excellent customer service
• Evaluate client service needs, providing information and guidance regarding various services and resources
• Proctor vocational testing for clients
• Make reminder calls to clients regarding upcoming appointments
• Schedule clients for meetings, workshops, and/or trainings
• Enter client information into databases and spreadsheets and generate receipts and reports

Ideal candidates will possess:

• Experience working with a diverse cultural and socioeconomic population
• Strong computer clerical skills, including experience with Excel, Outlook, and Word
• Exceptional customer service skills, with an ability to diffuse stressful interactions
• A high degree of proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs
• Strong multi-tasking, problem solving, and organization skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, our mission is to protect vulnerable children and adults, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing high quality, client-focused, cost-effective services and values the diversity, integrity, teamwork, leadership, and accountability of all staff in accomplishing the mission of the Department.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local level to find creative solutions to support the health, safety, and well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the Department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending upon assignment
• 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
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• 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

• Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

The Civil Service title for this position is Human Services Aide II. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of education, training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. The ability to read and write English and make arithmetic calculations for successful job performance. Completed coursework or training in sociology or psychology is desirable.

Experience: Any combination of education, training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year experience at the level of a Human Services Aide I or equivalent would provide such opportunity.

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 will require the ability to speak and write a specified foreign language in addition to English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: needs, problems, attitudes and behavior patterns of persons with varying socio-economic issues and backgrounds, and of the total community; policies and procedures of the Human Services Department.

Knowledge of: cultural and human behavior to effectively deal with ethnically diverse clients and professional staff; modern office procedures and practices; services offered by the Human Services Department; standards of client confidentiality.

Ability to: relate well to a wide variety of members of the community, including those with mental health or chemical/alcohol dependency challenges, and to representatives of public and private organizations; understand and interpret procedures and guidelines consistently to clients; complete necessary documentation and paperwork; work cooperatively and effectively with people from a wide variety of backgrounds including those with legal and family problems; apply knowledge of policies, procedures and services of the Human Services Department and standards of client confidentiality; understand and act upon mandated child abuse reporter regulations; operate modern office equipment, including copiers, fax machines, printers, and computers; perform data entry using basic keyboarding skills; read and write English and make arithmetic calculations; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

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. 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.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

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 is 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online 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. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. 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