Community Banker I - Ojai

Bank of the Sierra; Ojai (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bank of the Sierra in California is seeking a Community Banker for a progressive branch career path with increasing responsibility in customer service, teller transactions, and account opening. The role emphasizes delivering an elevated customer experience and building branch leadership as you advance through levels.

The Community Banker leveling framework governs progression based on proficiency, policy adherence, and risk-aware decision making, with emphasis on relationship building and

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of customer service and banking basics.
• Ability to follow procedures and protect customer information.
• Strong judgment and risk awareness in banking operations.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional customer service and processes teller transactions.
• Opens and maintains deposit accounts and explains features.
• Maintains cash drawer accuracy and supports vault, ATM, balancing activities.
• Follows bank policies, security practices, and confidentiality requirements.
• Identifies customer needs and supports referrals to bank products.
• Performs other duties and supports branch operations and initiatives.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Professionalism

Attention to detail

Cash handling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Banking branch systems

Job description

The Community Banker role is a progressive branch career path with increasing responsibility for customer service, teller transactions, account opening, operational controls, relationship support, and branch leadership. Each level reflects expanded technical skill, judgment, independence, coaching, and the ability to support branch goals and an elevatedcustomer experience.

ROLE LEVELING FRAMEWORK:

Responsibilities are cumulative by level. Advancement is based ondemonstratedproficiency, policy and compliance adherence, sound judgment, customer service capability, and readiness to assume broader responsibility with greater independence.

Level

Primary Scope and Distinction

Community Banker I
Foundational Branch Service

Establishesan elevated customer experienceby creating a welcomingenvironment, accurately processing routine teller transactions,openingbasic consumer accounts, and recognizing opportunities to connect customers withappropriate banksolutions. Operates within defined procedures,demonstratesstrong attention to detail,protectscustomer information, andescalatesexceptions, risk concerns, or complex needs with sound awareness of policy and customer impact.

Community Banker II
Relationship and Account Solutions

Expands from transaction-focused service to relationship-based banking by independently opening andservicingconsumer and business accounts, asking purposeful questions to understand customer needs, and recommending deposit, digital banking, Treasury Management, andothersolutions. Resolves non-routine service matters with greater ownership, follows through on referrals, and uses judgment to balance customerexperience, operational accuracy, compliance, and risk escalation.

Community Banker III
Advanced Operations and Branch Support

Serves as a senior branch resource whodemonstratesdeep knowledge of bank products and services, branch operations,complexaccount opening, customer service standards, operational controls, and risk requirements. Handles moresophisticatedconsumer and business banking needs,identifiesTreasury Management and lending opportunities,supportsvault, ATM, balancing,certifications, auditreadiness,referral development,and salesinitiatives. Evaluates risk, recommends practical solutions, and models the judgment and ownership expected in elevated customer and operational situations.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Provides professional customer service,processesteller transactions, resolves routine service requests, and refers customers toappropriate bankproducts, services, or business partners.
• Opens andmaintainsdeposit accounts, completes required documentation, explains account features, and supports customer needs throughaccurateand confidential handling of information.
• Maintains cash drawer accuracy, supports vault, ATM, wire, callback, balancing, certification, and operational reporting activities as assigned andappropriate tolevel.
• Follows bank policies, procedures, security practices, dual-control requirements, compliance expectations, fraud prevention standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Identifiescustomer needs, promotes relationship-building, supports referrals and cross-sell opportunities, and contributes to branch goals and a positive customer experience.
• Performs other duties and provides support to otherbranches, retailnetwork, community, training, or operational initiatives as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY:

• Strong customer service, communication, professionalism, and ability to interact tactfully with customers and employees.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, confidentiality, risk awareness, and adherence to policies, procedures, dual-control requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Ability toidentifycustomer needs, explain products and services, makeappropriate referrals, and deepen customer relationships.
• Cash handling, teller operations, account opening, branch systems, quality assurance, and operational reporting knowledgeappropriate tothe level.
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, support branch coverage, and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to navigate multiple computer systems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Related banking, branch operations, customer service, sales, account opening, cash handling, or leadership experience preferred based on level.
• Level placement is based ondemonstratedproficiency, operational knowledge, customer service capability, risk judgment, coaching ability, and readiness to assume broader responsibility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This joboperatesin a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee isfrequentlyrequired to stand, use hands to handle or feel,reach withhands and arms, and talk or hear. The employeeis occasionally required towalk and sit. The employee mustfrequentlylift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilitiesrequiredinclude close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT NOTICE:

I understand that, if hired, my employment with Bank of the Sierra is at-will, meaning that either I or the Bank may terminate the employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, so long as the reason is lawful.By submitting this application, you understand and agree to the at-will notice.

Bank of the Sierra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.