Under general supervision, performs complex technical work in a variety of employment service areas such as employment counseling, work plan development, case management and client referral to training, employment preparation programs, and job openings; and performs other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey level class in the Employment Training Specialist series. This class differs from the Employment Training Specialist I, in that incumbents of that class perform less complex assignments, receive training and learn to perform the duties under immediate supervision. This class differs from the Employment Training Supervisor in that the latter class performs the most complex assignments and supervises a unit of Employment Training Specialists and other support staff. The Employment Training Specialist II may also act as a lead worker, coordinate program activity and assist with training of other staff.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Interviews clients to determine suitability for employment training programs and job openings; screens clients for skills, job experience, education, aptitude, interest and barriers to employment; evaluates client needs for supportive services and makes community referrals; develops individual employability plans; may perform client employability assessments and interprets vocational assessment results.
Reviews and assesses client employability based on skill level, education, aptitude, experience, employment/training history and barriers to employment, and develops a client-specific work plan; provides employment and training counseling and labor market information; makes appropriate referrals to employment, education, vocational training or other training resources, including referrals to mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services.
Understands and interprets complex rules and regulations applicable to employment, education, and vocational training programs; explains employment program options and goals to clients and to the public; encourages and motivates client participation in such programs.
Using a variety of resources, matches clients with suitable and available job openings; regularly updates such resources and maintains familiarity with current employment opportunities and labor market information; determines, authorizes and computes ancillary and supportive service payments and overpayments.
Monitors client and contractor compliance with program guidelines; may recommend payment authorization; may visit training and/or employment sites to evaluate compliance; may meet with program services providers and community agencies regarding progress and achievement of program goals.
May use an automated computer system for client tracking; provides vocational and career counseling, with continuous case management; evaluates client progress to determine follow-up action, if needed; continues to assist clients with personal and social issues affecting employability; handles cases with difficult need assessments or significant barriers to employment; may refer clients to other counselors or supervisors for intensive counseling.
Makes appropriate cause determinations on non-participating clients; monitors clients in good cause status; completes adequate and timely notices of action; encourages clients to conciliate; authorizes sanction of clients who fail to conciliate.
May take part in promotion and outreach activities to disseminate information about the program; may assist clients developing resumes and preparing for interviews; maintains contact with clients, education and/or training providers, community agencies and employers to develop employment and training opportunities for clients.
Prepares statistical and narrative reports on caseload parameters and program activities; enters and retrieves data on an automated computer system; maintain appropriate records utilizing computerized and manual databases; may attend meetings and in-service training programs; may participate in special projects.
May coordinate grant funded job training programs.
May contact participants by telephone and/or in person by office call or home call to evaluate progress and determine follow-up action if needed; counsels participants on areas of concern and resolves problems; contacts participants who fail to complete the program to determine reasons, effect a return to the program or provide referrals to other agencies.
May conduct orientations, workshops, and classroom training sessions in other employability areas such as job search and job skills; may assist clients developing resumes and preparing for interviews.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Experience: One year as an Employment Training Specialist I.
OR PATTERN II
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, psychology, social science, or a related field.
Experience: One year performing vocational guidance, employment counseling or placement services.
OR PATTERN III
Education: Completion of 60 semester units at an accredited college or university with major coursework in psychology, sociology, counseling, vocational training, education or related field.
Experience: Three years performing vocational guidance, employment counseling or job placement services.
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience or qualifying education may be substituted for the required education or experience on a year-for-year basis.
Note: Persons assigned to perform employment related assessments for Cal-Works clients may be required to have completed 15 units in counseling preparation, 3 units in career planning and the remaining in career planning, guidance, personality development, occupational and industrial information, tests and measurements or a closely related field.
AND
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
General goals and purposes of employment preparation and training programs and public social service agencies; principles and methods of employment preparation and training; career, vocational and employment counseling and interviewing techniques; barriers to employment; principles and practices of public relations and human behavior; basic computer operation and keyboard arrangement; basic record keeping and reporting methods; basic language mechanics, mathematics and general office procedures; community resources and programs which can assist people seeking employment.
ABILITY
Learn complex social service and employment-related interviewing, record keeping techniques and automated computer systems; elicit factual information from individuals in difficult circumstances of deprivation or emotional disturbance; learn to assess overall employability and develop employability plans; accurately gather, record and evaluate complex data; prepare a variety of reports, forms, plans and agreements; enter information accurately into a computerized system, and navigate effectively through computer screens; read, understand and apply complex written regulations and instructions; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employers, outside providers, agency staff and the general public; work cooperatively with others; communicate effectively with persons from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Frequent operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; climbing stairs; occasional driving; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Occasional decision making and public contact; frequent concentration; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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