Employment Services Specialist II (Open and Promotional)

Description

The Human Services Agency (HSA) of the County of San Mateo is seeking a qualified candidate for the Employment Services Specialist II position. There is currently one (1) vacancy located in Employment Services. This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies.

Under general supervision, the Employment Services Specialist II will provide a variety of employment services to clients including assessment, counseling, and case management. Employment Services Specialist II will exercise independent judgment in assessing and counseling clients regarding training and employment in accordance with established County policies and procedures and program regulations.

The Employment Services Specialist in this classification will work with a diverse population with various obstacles to employment. Additionally, the Employment Services Specialist is expected to provide the following services range.

Examples of duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Screen and assess clients for eligibility across a range of employment and training programs, applying appropriate services strategies to support entry or re-entry into the labor market.
• Screen and determine eligibility for Welfare-to-Work services in accordance with CalWORKs regulations, including evaluating exemptions, time limits, and participation requirements.
• Conduct comprehensive appraisals and assessments to identify client strengths, employment history, education, vocational skills, and barriers to employment such as lack of childcare, transportation, housing instability, or behavioral needs.
• Develop and implement individualized Welfare-to-Work plans in collaboration with clients, outlining required activities such as job search, education, training, and work experience in compliance with state and federal mandates.
• Monitor and track client participation in assigned Welfare-to-Work activities to ensure compliance with hourly requirements and program timelines.
• Provide case management services, including ongoing support and coaching to help clients successfully engage in and complete assigned activities.
• Initiate and process supportive services such as childcare, transportation, ancillary expenses, and work-related needs to enable client participation.
• Assist in developing knowledge of employment and job placement opportunities.
• Arrange and schedule training and educational programs for clients.
• Communicate, collaborate and maintain regular contact with service providers and clients to ensure coordinated care services to meet client needs are provided.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss client strengths, challenges, and resources available to support the client.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation including client interactions, letters, reports, forms, and case notes utilizing the county's case management system.
• Interpret and apply Welfare-to-Work regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulation and apply them to program policy and procedures.
• Abide by program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Conduct community outreach and recruitment activities.
• Train new staff on the key aspects of operations, including working with supervisors to develop and conduct individual on-the-job training for new employees having difficulty applying policies and procedures.
• Train ongoing staff and supervisors on new or updated policy/procedures using adult learning theory.
• Provide assistance in collecting and disseminating quality assurance data, interpret data and reports, analyze and identify trends, and develop recommendations.
• Create graphs, charts, and summary reports to communicate findings to various stakeholders.
• Assist in quality assurance activities, including case reviews, data validation, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of Welfare-to-work program operations.

The ideal candidate will have two (2) years of professional experience providing a variety of employment services to clients including assessment, counseling, and case management; demonstrate a broad range of skills and abilities working with a diverse population as it relates to their employment needs; experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; and be highly proficient in using standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, or databases. In addition, the candidate must possess excellent interpersonal and writing skills and have a general understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of career and vocational assessment and counseling, problem solving, and interviewing. Bilingual in Spanish is desired.
Qualifications

Education and Experience: A ny combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify for an ESS II is two (2) years of professional experience providing a variety of employment services to clients, including assessment, counseling and case management.

Knowledge of: Principles, practices and techniques of career and vocational assessment and counseling, including interviewing and problem solving techniques; community resources and referral services; employment practices and strategies and local labor market trends; educational and employment training schools, programs and services; applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and County and program policies and guidelines; computer applications related to the work and office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill/Ability to: Assess and counsel job seeking clients effectively and assist them in employment problem solving and decision making; develop individualized, practical and effective employment training plans; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, employers, schools, County staff and others; plan and conduct individual and group vocational exercises and workshops; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; understand, explain and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines and maintain accurate records and files and prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification . All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the " Apply " button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http s ://jobs.smcgov.org to apply . Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT DATES:
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to Thursday, May 28, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Monday, June 15, 2026, and/or Thursday, June 18, 2026


About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.


The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.




Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Employment Services Specialist II - G238)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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