Employment and Training Worker III

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. 

The current vacancy is in Willits and provides quality assurance and mentoring to staff who provide case management to CalWORKs Job Services participants. The position supports staff in helping participants overcome barriers to self-sufficiency through interactive interviewing, motivational coaching, and connections to housing, education, health, and other supportive resources.

Under limited supervision, performs the most complex work and specialized assignments requiring an advanced level of technical knowledge in employability services and, depending on assignment, public assistance programs; may perform lead work and/or training to a unit of workers providing employability services and determining eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs; uses an automated system for caseload management; identifies client needs for social and health services and makes appropriate referrals.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• May provide training and/or lead direction to staff.
• Assists in the development and implementation of procedures for employment and training and, depending on assignment, public assistance programs.
• Administers and interprets vocational measurement tests; assesses program participants' employment readiness.
• Identifies employment barriers and develops plan to assist client in overcoming barriers, including making referrals to other professional for assistance.
• Refers clients to other staff members or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocates on client's behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services.
• Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources.
• Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
• Provides community outreach for various agency programs.
• Explains regulations, rules, and policies to clients to apprise them of their rights, responsibilities, and eligibility for participation and explains employment programs to clients and the general public.
• Assesses clients' employment and education history and develops plans for participants to achieve gainful employment and provides career guidance and counseling.
• Conducts interviews with a diverse population of clients to obtain and verify information.
• Conducts orientation workshops and one-on-one training for new and returning program participants.
• Presents information on available programs to community organizations, the general public, and employers during job fairs, community partner presentations, and one-on-one.
• Regularly contacts and monitors participants' progress in meeting established goals and compliance with program requirements.
• Within mandated timeframes, documents evidence of individual clients' non-compliance with program rules and regulations, and when appropriate, follows procedures for recommending imposition of sanctions for cause.
• Monitors training and work site arrangements.
• Serves as the Department's hearing representative when program participants dispute determinations concerning eligibility for program participation.
• Assists in the gathering of labor market information and shares this information with program participants.
• Develops and maintains client employment and training opportunities by maintaining positive liaisons with area employers and entities that provide job-related training.
• Completes and processes documents, correspondence, and reports for authorized supportive services, manually or using an automated system.
• Enters and retrieves data and performs caseload management activities on an automated computer system; performs case reviews as assigned.
• May assess family situation to determine if Family Stabilization services are appropriate.
• May develop Family Stabilization service plan with family and service providers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience 

One (1) year of full-time experience as an Employment & Training Worker II; or

Three (3) years of full-time experience performing vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement services; and completion of 15 semester or 22 quarter college units in career planning, vocational guidance principles, personality development, occupational testing & measurement, or counseling preparation; or

Associates degree or equivalent units in a related field; and two (2) years of full-time experience performing vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement services.

Licenses and Certifications:

A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, regulations and goals of publicly funded employment and training programs.
• Theory and methodology in career planning, vocational guidance programs, and employment counseling, including practical and realistic methods for assisting program participants become gainfully employed.
• Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
• Principles of training and staff development.
• Hiring trends and practices of private and public sector employers in the local labor market.
• Community-based job training programs and other resources available to low income job seekers.
• Department and community resources available to clients.
• Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement.

• Laws, rules, regulations and goals of multiple public assistance programs.
• Resources available to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.

Ability to:

• Elicit factual information from prospective and current program participants, some of whom may exhibit behavior or symptoms indicative of persons experiencing deprivation and/or emotional difficulties.
• Interpret financial information and make basic arithmetical computations.
• Evaluate and, when appropriate, recommend changes and/or corrections to program participant cases.
• Establish effective engagement with clients; use fact-finding techniques and perform in-depth and interactive interviewing.
• Listen to clients and develop professional rapport in order to determine the underlying barriers to employment.
• Obtain facts and recognize the relevance and significance; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Monitor program participants' compliance with program regulations and requirements, and monitor progress toward becoming gainfully employed.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, forms, plans, and agreements.
• Accurately enter data into an automated computer system and navigate through multiple-screen records.
• Identify problems requiring referral to other sources.
• Speak and write effectively.
• Read, understand and follow complex rules, regulations, policies, and memos.
• Communicate with others from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Identify and evaluate needs and barriers to employment, and complete employability plans.
• Interpret financial information and make basic arithmetical computations.
• Competently gather and accurately record and evaluate program related data.
• Train individuals and groups.
• Prepare and make presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Manage automated and manual client and program records.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employers, outside providers, agency staff, and the general public.
• Use a personal computer (databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic communications) and automated systems effectively, and operate other modern office equipment such as a copier, telephone system and calculator.
• Lead, direct, and train other employment services and eligibility staff and outside service providers.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply. 
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application. 
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character. 
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list. 

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date. 

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer