Vocational Assistant (Mss) - Adult Services

DEFINITION

This is a County of Humboldt job position; however, the job application is submitted through Merit System Services. To apply for this position, click on this link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mss/jobs/4426911/vocational-assistant-adult-services?page=9&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Performs a variety of sub-professional work in support of public assistance and social service programs and related administrative functions; and performs related work as assigned.

Working under general supervision, Vocational Assistant continues and expands the training and preparation of incumbents for other classes in the public assistance and social services area, such as Homemaker, for example. Positions in the Vocational Assistant class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level Vocational Trainee, or if filled from the outside, require prior related experience.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides assistance to facilitate communication between applicants, clients, and agency staff.

• Assists in establishing and maintaining working relationships between agency and clients and community served.

• Assists in the referral of clients to appropriate community resources.

• Transports or accompanies clients to appointments for service or interviews.

• Provides basic housekeeping, household management services, personal care, or childcare services.

• Performs routine clerical duties.

• Assists in the gathering, compilation, and evaluation of data.

• Screens and interviews clients to obtain medical, family, financial, or other information.

• Performs miscellaneous duties in eligibility, social services, employment services, homemaker services, staff services, or related staff functions.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• General needs, problems, attitudes, and behavior of clients served by the agency.

• General goals and purpose of public social services programs.

• Modern office practices, methods, procedures, and automated systems.

Ability to:

• Exercise sound judgment when evaluating situations, initiating action, and developing alternatives within established procedures and regulations.

• Follow written and oral instructions.

• Maintain confidentiality of case files.

• Write clear and accurate reports.

• Make simple arithmetic calculations.

• Maintain accurate and systematic records.

• Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and/or Experience)

Vocational Assistant: EITHER Six (6) months of full-time experience performing the duties of a Vocational Trainee;

OR

Six (6) months of paid or unpaid work experience in a human services agency that provided an understanding and acceptance of clients served by the agency.

DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver's License. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CalPERS Retirement

• Tier I: Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7 @ 55
• Tier II: Post 7/6/2012: 2.0 @ 55
• Tier III: Post 1/1/2013: 2.0 @ 62

Selection Procedure

The County's Human Resources system operates by a set of rules and procedures which ensure that employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit and fitness for the job. Jobs are filled through competitive examinations.

A complete online application is required for this position. All application materials will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Those candidates considered to be the most qualified, based on the application materials submitted, will be invited to a written and/or oral examination, or an evaluation of education and experience.

Policy of Nondiscrimination

The County of Humboldt does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Human Resources is wheelchair-accessible by entering the Courthouse from the ramp located on the east side of the building next to the marked handicapped parking. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact Human Resources at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination for assistance.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

How to Apply

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Although this is a County of Humboldt job position, and you may access the job flyer at http://www.humboldtgov.org/hr , the application must be submitted through the Merit System Services website at www.mss.ca.gov no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. The link for the Merit System Services website is located at the top of the job flyer. All applications are screened by subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.

It is important that your application show all the relevant experience and education you possess.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in this examination will be compared with the performance of others who take the test. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. Scores will be provided in writing only.

To fill a vacancy, Merit Systems Services furnishes the employing department with the most qualified candidate names for the position.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-323-2360 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS: Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES: Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six months, but may be up to one year. All designated safety employees serve a one year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.