Career Employment Specialist

County of Santa Barbara; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual allowance

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara is seeking Career Employment Specialist I for the CalWORKs program in Lompoc and Santa Barbara. The role delivers employment counseling, eligibility determinations, training, and placement support to help participants achieve self-sufficiency.

With 18 months of qualifying experience, incumbents may advance to Career Employment Specialist, Senior, handling complex cases, job development, and client support; bilingual skills may be required for some positions.

Qualifications

• Interviews, advises, and guides diverse clients to determine eligibility and services.
• Team environment with contractors or partners; grants/data reporting experience desirable.
• Assess client education, work experience, and job interest for referrals and plans.
• Identify barriers to employment and coordinate with supportive services and resources.
• Maintain client records, eligibility, and program documentation; follow regulations.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility, appraisal, and assessment for employment and training services.
• Provide employment and training services to eligible participants.
• Maintain caseload to help clients achieve self-sufficiency through employment/training.
• Deliver job search support, skills training, and career counseling.
• Develop partnerships with business communities and community resources.
• Conduct orientations, assessments, job clubs, and computer assistance.
• Identify new job placement sites and educate employers; participate in job fairs.

Education

12 semester units / 18 quarter units in related field

Two years experience in interviews/caseload/counseling

Combination of training and experience

Job description

Passionate about helping families achieve self-sufficiency and supporting individuals in their career journeys? Join us in empowering communities through comprehensive employment services that shape futures.

CAREER EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST I SALARY: $64,201.28 – $76,564.80 Annually

CAREER EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST - SENIOR SALARY: $71,325.28 – $85,248.80 Annually

Plus bilingual allowance when applicable.

LOCATIONS & VACANCIES

We are currently accepting applications to fill 2 full-time vacancies for the CalWORKs Program: one in Lompoc and one in Santa Barbara.

This eligible list will be utilized to fill current and future full-time, part-time, and extra-help (temporary) vacancies within these programs. Please select the location(s) and program(s) you are willing to accept employment for on your application and supplemental questionnaire.

NOTE:

Candidates may be appointed at the Senior level if they meet the CES employment standards and have eighteen (18) months of experience equivalent to a Career Employment Specialist with Santa Barbara County, and the department's needs.

CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

Career Employment Specialist is a flexibly staffed series with a clear path for advancement. The Career Employment Specialist is the entry-level classification: incumbents work under immediate supervision on a limited, less complex caseload while learning the rules, regulations, interviewing, eligibility determination, and referral practices of their assigned program.

With eighteen (18) months of qualifying experience, incumbents may advance to Career Employment Specialist, Senior — the journey-level classification in the series. Senior-level staff work independently under minimal supervision, are assigned the most complex cases and the full range of job development, placement, or business engagement responsibilities, and may train and guide other staff in complex case activities.

Bilingual:

Bilingual – Speaking Required for Some Positions: The ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish is required for some positions. Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications that require bilingual skills, in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

THE POSITION

Under supervision, provides some or all of the following: direct or indirect client services in the areas of employment counseling, client needs assessment, vocational evaluation, employment preparation, training, and program development & management; referral to community resources and support services, program eligibility, and/or job development/placement; and performs related duties as required.

Candidates may be expected to:

• Be responsible for determining eligibility, appraisal, and assessment for employment and training services.
• Provide employment and training services to eligible participants.
• Maintain a caseload that enables participants to achieve self-sufficiency through employment and/or training while working with participants on barrier removal, crisis intervention, and stabilization services.
• Be a compassionate worker with cultural competency in working with a diverse population and the ability to relate to, understand, and develop good rapport with program participants.
• Deliver a range of employment and training services, including job search assistance, skills training, and career counseling.
• Help participants overcome barriers to employment, such as lack of childcare or transportation, by connecting them with supportive services.
• Develop ongoing professional partnerships with the business community, community partner agencies, schools, colleges, and universities.
• Conduct individual or group program orientations, administer vocational assessment testing, facilitate job club workshops, and provide computer assistance to program participants.
• Identify new and potential job placement sites in public and for-profit agencies and businesses; educate and train participating employers and site supervisors; represent the program at job fairs and employer events.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and program documentation.
• Ensure participant eligibility, service delivery, case documentation, and follow-up activities comply with applicable federal, State, County, and program requirements.

1. Interviews, advises, and guides a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability; interprets and explains regulations, rules, policies, and procedures to clients; may determine client eligibility for services; apprises clients of their rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations under program participation; ensures that applications and other forms are completed accurately and thoroughly.
2. Works in a team environment developing workforce projects implemented by contractors or partners; assists in the preparation of grant applications for funding of new workforce projects; performs program monitoring of sub-contractors; collects data and reports to the State or Federal government on program or project accomplishments; participates in the development of funding solicitations; may perform business outreach and services on behalf of the countywide workforce development system.
3. Assesses client's education, work experience, skills, abilities, qualifications, and job interest; assesses client readiness for job referral, classroom training, on-the-job training, and/or support services; attempts to match clients with available employment, training, or other opportunities/services.
4. Identifies problems/barriers that hinder employability; assists clients in resolving and mitigating barriers to employment by identifying the need for other services and benefits; counsels clients regarding recommended solutions and suggested supportive services; makes appropriate referrals to department, County, and other community resources, including ESL courses, high school diploma or equivalency education, homeless mitigation, child care, substance abuse treatment/counseling, family crisis/domestic violence intervention, and health care or mental health services.
5. Analyzes information obtained from interviews, tests, and other sources to develop short- and long-term client goals; develops and implements individual employment plans; ensures client conformance with program rules and regulations, department policies, and employment plans.
6. Contacts public and private employers to develop on-the-job training and/or direct job placement sites for clients; maintains cooperative relationships with employers, academic and vocational training institutions, and support service and community resource agencies; identifies appropriate job placement/training opportunities; may arrange for employment interviews; attends job fairs, and conducts workshops, presentations, group orientations, or other training and outreach activities.
7. Monitors and evaluates client's progress through program components; monitors service providers through reports and site visits; resolves problems or provides guidance and counseling; may make phone calls or conduct field visits to investigate clients' progress in various programs.
8. Inputs necessary information into automated system(s); organizes cases; maintains and updates records on client employment, training, and follow-up activities; takes required action(s) established by regulations and/or department policy; prepares reports on client and program activities; participates in training, pilot, and other special projects, committees, and studies.

1. Completion of 12 semester units, 18 quarter units, or 12 continuing education credits in business administration, economics, behavioral sciences, or related field (such as sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, or vocational guidance), or other field related to the provision of employment services, AND two years of experience conducting interviews, handling a caseload, providing counseling, or direct public contact experience dealing with employment-related issues; OR,
2. Completion of the education described above AND two years of experience equivalent to an Eligibility Worker with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. A combination of training, education (as described above), and experience that is equivalent to the employment standards 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.
• Incumbents may be required to perform civil defense duties and work outside normal business hours.
• Working conditions may involve exposure to communicable diseases such as tuberculosis.
• As a condition of employment, selectees must sign statements agreeing to comply with Section 1166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 of the California Penal Code relating to elder abuse reporting.

Knowledge of: general goals and purposes of public social services programs; techniques for interviewing and gathering information from varied populations; arithmetic skills sufficient to interpret client income and expense information to identify general eligibility for services and benefits within program requirements; general office practices and procedures and record-keeping methods; techniques for communicating with individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds; employment interviewing and assessment methods; standard English usage and grammar; and basic computer applications related to an office work environment.

Ability to: learn laws and regulations pertaining to assigned employment services programs; read, apply, interpret, and explain State and Federal regulations, policies, and procedures governing assigned program areas; learn community educational, vocational, and social services resources; understand and apply vocational guidance, work-readiness appraisal, employment plan, assessment theory and concepts; learn to identify socioeconomic, physical, mental, behavioral, cultural, language, and other barriers to employment and develop approaches to mitigate them; gather, record, and evaluate information; draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations, judgments, and decisions; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; organize and prioritize work assignments; maintain accurate and systematic records; and prepare statistical and narrative reports.

BENEFITS

The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information, visit the SEIU Local 721 benefits page. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

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

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 the accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE:

10/01/2026 at 5:00 PM PST; Postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Jasmine Gaytan, DSS HR Recruiter [e-mail]