Community Health Services Specialist I - Extra-Help

The Position

This recruitment is for temporary, non-benefited, extra-help work ONLY . Do not apply if you are not willing to accept temporary, extra-help work. Departments may hire extra-help employees for a limited period. Extra-help is temporary employment generally not to exceed six (6) months unless seasonal, intermittent, or on-call. Extra-help employment may last up to one (1) year when hired to work on a specific project. Extra-help employees are paid only for the hours worked and are not entitled to benefits, property rights (seniority), or promotional preference. As an extra-help employee, there is no guarantee of regularly scheduled hours or continued employment. Interested applicants and current extra-help employees interested in permanent positions with the County must apply for those positions during open recruitment. The current vacancy is in Ukiah.

Under direct supervision at the entry level and general supervision at the journey level, performs a variety of paraprofessional functions in support of social services, mental and public health professionals; serves as a vital link between communities and clients to improve family functioning, health, children and adult services; relieves professional staff of the more routine duties; performs ongoing assessment and case management; provides direct training and/or counseling for clients on a variety of issues; performs related duties as assigned.

Social Services - Employment & Family Assistance Services: This is the lead position for the Front Door for Families program. This position is responsible for providing case management, including screening, housing guidance, and support in helping Mendocino County families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness find and secure stable housing. This position is grant funded through June 30, 2026.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following

• Perform or assist with case management and coordinate services for clients including referrals to necessary medical, educational, social, preventative, and vocational rehabilitation services.
• Act as a liaison between staff and families by helping families set up appointments for a variety of social and health services and providing interpretation services between families and staff; calls to continue follow-up plans recommended by staff.
• Provide outreach services; engage clients in enrolling in health and social service programs; provide information on community resources, referrals; link clients to agencies and providers, and other community networks.
• Make appropriate referrals to community resources after assessing client needs and following up to assess progress; advocates and collaborates with local agencies with the purpose to speed up process for obtaining services. Ensure information for services provided, payment methodology, benefits, etc. is related to clients and determines eligibility. Determine client needs as appropriate.
• Coordinate and conduct routine home visits in order to assess families in crisis and determines appropriate intervention/referrals; provide parenting and/or household management skills training, etc.
• Update client demographic/financial information as necessary; advocate on behalf of clients; monitor service delivery and presents client assessments to professional staff.
• Translate / interpret information as necessary; serve as an outreach worker in contacts with the non-English speaking community.
• Process and complete applicable forms; perform telephone or in-person intake interviews; prepare and mail letters of reminder; schedule client appointments; answer questions; maintain applicable client records.
• Track and report grant expenditures for residential treatment, working with counselors and treatment providers, assist clients in finding suitable residential treatment programs; monitor certificate compliance, maintain resource catalog and daily bed assessments.
• May monitor service delivery and report on individual client's progress.
• May supervise visits between parents and children and/or provides occasional/emergency child care services.
• May arrange and/or provide transportation services to and from appointments related to service programs.
• May write chart notes in accordance with professional standards, state regulations and department protocol, and ensure proper filing either by filing or by providing to proper staff for filing.
• Take part in various group meetings and program planning meetings by participating/leading discussions, retrieving and returning files, copying educational materials, tracking attendance, etc.
• Provide clerical support for department such as backup receptionist or other positions; answers all incoming telephone calls and greets visitors and the general public; provides customer service and support; direct individuals to the appropriate area or assists them by providing applications, collecting and receipting money, or answering questions. Enter and retrieves a variety of complex information into a computer terminal. Collects educational materials and maintains public information bulletin boards. Order office supplies to maintain sufficient inventory for office use. Assist in training other staff members.
• Perform special assignments as requested to include research and preparing reports and projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:
One year of college that includes at least 9 units of coursework related to human services, child development, social or behavioral sciences or a related field; and one year of progressively responsible experience providing client advocacy, outreach work, eligibility assessment or other services related to mental health, public health, and/or social services to the community; or a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Resources, community agencies and health care and other services.
• Needs, problems, and barriers to health care for low-income and minority populations.
• Process of application for Medi-Cal and other health care coverage.
• Modern methods, techniques and procedures used in the provision of mental/public health and social services.
• Various general therapeutic methods and psychological theory.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Office procedures including filing, record keeping and scheduling of appointments.

Skill in:

• Performing case management.
• Understanding and accepting differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, economic, or other forms of deprivation.
• Organizing work, setting priorities and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Developing a rapport with clients that assures client's trust.
• Assessing client needs.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Mental and Physical Ability to:

• Read and understand medical records and charts as necessary. Including medical histories, current medical or emotional conditions, prescription instructions, etc.
• Analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Speak effectively and respond to questions, tailoring the message to the intended audience.
• Maintain confidential information.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle.
• While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is required to regularly speak and listen.
• While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and use fingers and hands, handle and/or feel objects, tools and/or controls, sit and reach with hands and arms.
• While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is required to frequently lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, a Qualifications Appraisal may be administered.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 1/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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