Child Care Attendant

Description

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• A general salary increaseof 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.

• Merit Increases

• New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.

• Educational Incentive

• An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.

• Bilingual Incentive

• Based on agency need,proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).

• Vacation Accrual

• New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.

• Annual Leave Redemption

• After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.

• Sick Leave

• Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.

• Deferred Compensation

• Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.

• Health Plans-Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $23,530 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.

• Employee only - $502 per biweekly pay period

• Employee plus one dependent - $730 per biweekly pay period

• Employee plus family - $905 per biweekly pay period

Flexible Spending Accounts-Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.Pension Plan-Participation in the County's defined pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.Holidays- 12 paid days per year which, includes a scheduled floating holiday.Additional Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY

Ventura County is located on California's "Gold Coast," approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 20 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. The County includes 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.Ventura County's beauty and weather combined with a wonderful quality of life are among the many reasons our residents choose to call Ventura County "home."

THE AGENCY

To learn about the Human Services Agency (HSA), click"Who We Are" to view a short video about our multiple departments.

HSA is comprised of nearly 1400 staff members who serve approximately a third of Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and assist communities by bringing these values into the workforce.

THE POSITION

Under immediate (I) or general (II) supervision, incumbent is responsible for the care and supervision of children in the Child Care Waiting room within a Job and Career Center; and performs other duties as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about and have experience with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have direct experience working in a childcare/day care setting, strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience with handling high-stress situations and demonstrated ability to defuse/de-escalate such situations when necessary. Additionally, the ideal candidate will work well independently and be bilingual, in English and Spanish.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This classification series is distinguished from other classifications by the support services provided to disadvantaged individuals and groups within the community.

Community Services Worker I is the entry level classification. Incumbents are expected to work in the trainee capacity leading progressively toward competency as a Community Services Worker II after one year of training.

Community Services Worker II is the journey-level classification and is expected to function independently and effectively in performing all duties assigned.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Community Services Worker I: $16.87 - $18.68 per hour

Community Services Worker II: $16.87 - $23.14 per hour

Community Services Worker I/II are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

Examples Of Duties

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

• Provides care and supervision for children in a childcare setting.

• Creates a childcare environment conducive to learning by interacting with children in a way that conveys respect and nurturing; reads to children, and teaches them simple drawing, painting, storytelling, handicrafts, and games; and gets down on the floor to interact with them observing and monitoring play activities.

• Works cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis; assists with additional office/clerical functions as assigned.

• Provides the opportunity for children to learn socially acceptable behaviors in a caring environment.

• Serves refreshments to children in a hygienic manner.

• Maintains a safe environment by keeping Children's Waiting Room clean, sanitizing equipment and toys, organizing, and storing toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.

• Answers inquiries and explains Waiting Room/Agency policies to individuals or groups in person and over the phone.

• Keeps records of Waiting Room usage and activities along with records of clients served; orders necessary supplies and prepares routine reports.

• Supports children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others, positive self-concepts, self-control and discipline through consistent example and intervention.

• Purchases provisions from local vendors, as needed.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Community Services Worker I:

Must have at least one (1) year of in-person, face-to-face experience providing public services to the general public, working with children, customer service in an in-person setting or equivalent experience/education.

Community Services Worker II:

Must have at least two (2) years of in-person, face-to-face experience providing public services to the general public, working with children, customer service in an in-person setting or one (1) year of experience equivalent to that of a Community Services Worker I.

Substitution: Thirty (30) semester units of college course work in child development, early childhood education, special education, social work, sociology, social sciences, ethnic studies, communications, psychology, or a closely related field may be substituted for experience up to a total of one year (equal to 30 semester units).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess, or have the ability to obtain prior to appointment, and maintain a valid California driver license

• Beginner computer skills

• Able to bend, stoop, lift up to 25 lbs, and/or move books, chairs, tables, etc. with or without a reasonable accommodation

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Work locations and work units will vary, and may change as needed according to business needs and at the discretion of management. Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

When a disaster strikes of natural or man-made origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class. At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California).

DESIRED

• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish)

• Childcare/day care experience in a business setting

• Public services experience in a community services environment

• Excellent organizational skills

• Tact, poise,and good interpersonal skills in the management of children's behavior

• CPR and first aid training

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Some to thorough knowledge of:

• Childcare practices.

• Agency and program policies and procedures.

• Group and family dynamics and problems.

• Needs and behavioral patterns of the clientele served.

Skill in:

• Records management, filing and organization.

Ability to:

• Follow instructions and function independently and effectively in performing all duties assigned.

• Effectively communicate with children, individuals, and groups from diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds, including in-person, written, and phone communication.

• Make decisions and administer first aid/CPR in case of an emergency.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Information for Transfer Candidates:If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click herefor additional information.

Note: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

WRITTENEXAMINATION - 100%: An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written exam will be conducted to evaluate participating candidates' knowledge of English language usage, communication and telephone etiquette, community resources, interpersonal relations, and filing and organization skills for successful performance on the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

VETERAN'S POINTS: This is a trainee/entry level classification, and Veteran's Points may apply to eligible applicants. Documentation of military service must be submitted prior to close of recruitment in order to receive points.

ELIGIBLE LIST: Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-Term, Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies for this and similar positions within the Human Services Agency. There are currently two (2) regular vacancies within the Community Access and Engagement Department.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department. Formal assignment to the higher level is at the discretion and approval of management.

SELECTION INTERVIEW:When a position becomes available, applicants are referred to the employing department for interviews beginning with the highest scoring applicants, moving down the list from the top until the available positions are filled.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record is required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

CONTACT INFORMATION:For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kim Mariscal by email at kim.mariscal@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-5153.