Human Services Specialist

The Health & Human Services Agency is seeking a large number of individuals

to fill multiple vacancies for

HUMAN SERVICES SPECIALIST

PER COUNTY RULES, THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AT STEP 1, $39,811.20.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY PROMOTION RULE FOR STEP PLACEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMP ORD 1.3.5.

Human Services Specialists perform technical work in determining eligibility for customers who are applying for public assistance via governmental programs and community services. Incumbents will be assigned to various locations within the County of San Diego. Individuals who are successful in the recruitment process and are offered a Call Center assignment may have flexible work hours, including weekends.

Human Services Specialist is a technical class. Incumbents will go through an intensive training to learn program regulations and current system processes and will need to adapt and retain the knowledge acquired from these trainings to successfully perform the job functions of the class. Most importantly, patience, hard work, and perseverance on the job are a must as incumbents must continually interact with customers needing public assistance. If it is your passion to help others and you are willing to learn because you enjoy providing great customer service, you may be the one we are looking for!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

At least two (2) years of full time experience performing public contact work on a daily basis which must have included:

Interviewing persons and performing general clerical duties; OR,

Providing direct delivery of human services to clients; OR,

Processing documents related to personal or financial histories of clients or members of the public.

Previous education or experience must have included demonstrating knowledge of the basic operation and use of computers using a windows-type operating system.

Note: The possession of an associate degree or the successful completion of two (2) years of coursework from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency will substitute for the experience requirement stated above.

Individuals possessing bilingual language skills in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Vietnamese, or Somali are encouraged to apply. If you wish to be considered for bilingual positions, you MUST indicate languages in which you are fluent in the Agency Wide Questions section of your application.

Click here for the Human Services Specialist job description, including qualifying education and/or experience, working conditions, etc.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Human Services Specialists work takes place in a fast-paced office environment that involves carrying a high number of client cases, interacting daily and in-person with clients, and daily and frequent use of computers utilizing a variety of electronic systems to complete tasks. Incumbents are required to multi-task, be highly organized, and be adaptable to regular changes to workload, tasks, and computer systems. Some positions may be assigned to travel to outside agencies, medical facilities, and the homes of customers. Incumbents occasionally have difficult interactions with individuals who may be ill, homeless, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The ideal candidate for this position possesses the following qualifications:

• Is proficient with using computers and computer systems to enter data, navigate a variety of screens, and manage workload
• Has experience interpreting and explaining regulations and procedures
• Is skilled at interviewing customers and gathering information
• Has experience with working directly with customers answering questions, handling complaints and resolving conflicts
• Has experience analyzing information and evaluating results
• Maintains a high level of ethical standards at all times

EVALUATION

The names of qualified candidates will be placed on a three (3) month employment list based on information provided on the supplemental application form.

Please be advised that 100% of your final score will be determined by the responses you provide on the Supplemental Questionnaire. The information you provide may be subject to verification at time of interview.

Selected candidates that are successful through the interview process will go through an in-house training and must pass each step of the training to be assigned as Human Services Specialists.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the Live Well San Diego vision: A region that is Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving. Click here for more information www.livewellsd.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 – 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term “public employees” includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.