Social Service Program Assistant

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 1021 - Social Services Rank & File Unit

Contra Costa County is recruiting to fill multiple Social Service Program Assistant (SSPA) vacancies in the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD).

Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department works diligently to provide the community with resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The department is committed to hiring candidates that share our core values of delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Able to thrive in a customer-focused environment
• Adaptable to change and able to adjust priorities to serve the needs of the community
• Able to demonstrate empathy in difficult or complex circumstances
• Able to work effectively with various community stakeholders

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting Interviews with applicants to determine eligibility and the need for public social programs and services
• Assisting with the completion of applications and declaration forms upon which eligibility decisions are based
• Performing case reviews to assess case accuracy ensuring Federal, State, and County regulations and policies are met
• Initiating procedures to grant, modify, deny or terminate eligibility and grants for various assistance programs
• Providing information and making routine referrals to resources available through the County and community
• Maintaining case records and preparing detailed reports

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work in a fast-paced environment
• You will have opportunities for promotional growth
• You will have a daily impact by providing assistance to vulnerable members of the community

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will work on multiple assignments with competing deadlines
• You will be expected to process a high volume of work
• You may deal with difficult individuals

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
  
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr . The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensed Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency or a high school proficiency certification.

Experience: Six (6) months of full-time experience in a classification in a California County with the responsibility for public assistance eligibility determination.

Selection Process

1. Application Submission and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Online Multiple-Choice Test: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online multiple choice assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Social Services Program Assistant Classification. T hese may include but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Mathematical Facility, Adaptability, Attention to Detail, Displaying Ownership, Self-Management and Writing. (Weighted 100%).

• Tentative Dates: The Online Multiple-Choice Test is tentatively scheduled to take place during the week of 1/4/2024-1/9/2024.

The assessment will be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment.

3. Hiring Interview

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Matthew Damm at matthew.damm@hrd.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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