Employment and Training Counselor I - English & Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Employment and Training Counselor I

• English & Bilingual (English/Spanish) County of Sonoma Overview Description Position Information Help members of our community reach their career goals. Become an Employment and Training Counselor I! Starting salary up to $ 40.74 /hour ($ 85,029 /year), plus a competitive total compensation package
• a nd an additional $1.50 cents per hour for fluent bilingual positions!
• The Employment and Training (E&T) Division of the Human Services Department (HSD) is currently recruiting to fill two full-time Employment and Training Counselor I positions, one monolingual (English) and one fluent Bilingual (English/Spanish).

They are also recruiting to fill one part-time (.50 Full-Time Equivalent) monolingual (English) position. If you are interested in one or all of these positions, we encourage you to apply now! Employment and Training Counselor Is will be assigned to Job Link in the Human Services Department, supporting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. They are responsible for providing intensive coaching and case management to clients who need assistance in obtaining a job and/or providing a safe and stable home for their families. Counselors work with clients to understand their goals and determine what skills or services they need to obtain them and to improve their family's income and housing needs. They help clients develop employability plans and provide motivation and support to clients in vulnerable situations. These positions also work closely with clients who may need additional assistance beyond looking for employment or attending educational/vocational training programs, including mental health, substance abuse, and domestic abuse services. Counselors require a working knowledge of employment and training programs, job search fundamentals, employment and program eligibility laws and regulations, motivational techniques, assessment skills, case management practices, and current knowledge of employment and economic trends.

The ideal candidates will possess:

Experience providing counseling or social work services Knowledge of job seeking practices, labor market trends, and community resources Expertise in case management practices and experience developing case plans The ability to make presentations in front of the public and/or the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Experience working with culturally and economically diverse groups and clients facing social, health, or economic challenges The ability to complete accurate eligibility paperwork, to work within the CalJOBS system for case documentation, and to manage fiscal processes related to services received by their client(s) Strong verbal and written communication abilities Excellent customer service skills 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. HSD works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the 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: Hybrid Telework
• A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment Salary Advancement
• 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 Paid Time Off
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year County Paid Health Premium Contributions
• 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options Staff Development/Wellness Pay
• Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits Retirement
• A pension fully integrated with Social Security Paid Parental Leave
• May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) 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 be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
• The bilingual position for this recruitment requires English and Spanish skills at the fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) level.

Applicants who wish to be considered for this bilingual position must indicate their level of skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment to confirm the level of skill in this area. Fluent bilingual premium pay is $1.50/hour. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions 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.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience:

Any combination of coursework, training, and/or work experience that clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, that would include: Employment and Training Counselor I Option 1: Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the behavioral sciences such as psychology, social work, sociology, counseling or related field and at least six months experience providing counseling or social work services, or Option 2: Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units at an accredited college including at least 18 semester or 24 quarter units in sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, or other related fields and the equivalent of two years of experience as an Employment and Training Specialist.

License:

Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Special Requirement:

Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Working knowledge and understanding of: basic principles of sociology, psychology, group and family dynamics, and related subjects; career, vocational and employment counseling theories and techniques; principles and methods of effective interviewing, job search, and goal setting; principles and practices of ethical assessment testing; Federal, State and County employment and training programs, policies, rules, codes, and regulations; current economic conditions in the local community and regional area including current employment and labor practices and employment trends; socioeconomic problems, cultural difference, language and other barriers to employment associated with various ethnic or disadvantaged segments of the community; problem solving and motivational techniques to assist clients in analyzing their strengths and problems to work toward mutually agreed upon goals; factors which support individual and family self-sufficiency, especially as related to employment and training; public and private community agencies and resources available to meet client needs.

Ability to:

effectively interview clients from diverse backgrounds to obtain facts and to recognize relevant case information; identify employment and social service needs and the resources available to meet the needs; assist clients in recognizing barriers and using strengths to obtain and/or retain education and/or employment; secure the trust and cooperation of clients needing personal, vocational and educational counseling; plan, design, and conduct orientations and relevant training, seminars, and workshops; develop and take necessary action to implement employment and training plans; administer and interpret vocational, aptitude, and interest surveys and tests; interpret, explain and apply complex laws and regulations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to deal tactfully and work effectively with clients, co-workers, team members, community groups, private and public agency employees, and the general public. Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ing 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 application, examination, and department selection processes.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored. The selection procedure will consist of the following examination: An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

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. 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.

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