DEFINITIONVOCATIONAL ASSISTANT - PUBLIC GUARDIAN Department of Health & Human ServicesAre you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the Department of Health & Human Services! The Public Guardian serves a wide variety of disabilities. If you like a dynamic office, this is it.What You'll Do: This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;
Transporting HCPG clients to appointments, shopping for clients, warehouse organization, courier for mail and legal documents and essential office tasks.
Where You'll Do It: This position is located in Eureka, CA 95501.A typical work schedule for this position is M-F; 8am - 5pm.Performs a variety of sub-professional work in support of public assistance and social service programs and related administrative functions; and performs related work as assigned.Working under general supervision, Vocational Assistant continues and expands the training and preparation of incumbents for other classes in the public assistance and social services area, such as Homemaker, for example. Positions in the Vocational Assistant class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level Vocational Trainee, or if filled from the outside, require prior related experience.EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Provides assistance to facilitate communication between applicants, clients, and agency staff.
Assists in establishing and maintaining working relationships between agency and clients and community served.
Assists in the referral of clients to appropriate community resources.
Transports or accompanies clients to appointments for service or interviews.
Provides basic housekeeping, household management services, personal care, or childcare services.
Performs routine clerical duties.
Assists in the gathering, compilation, and evaluation of data.
Screens and interviews clients to obtain medical, family, financial, or other information.
Performs miscellaneous duties in eligibility, social services, employment services, homemaker services, staff services, or related staff functions.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONSKnowledge of:
General needs, problems, attitudes, and behavior of clients served by the agency.
General goals and purpose of public social services programs.
Modern office practices, methods, procedures, and automated systems.
Ability to:
Exercise sound judgment when evaluating situations, initiating action, and developing alternatives within established procedures and regulations.
Follow written and oral instructions.
Maintain confidentiality of case files.
Write clear and accurate reports.
Make simple arithmetic calculations.
Maintain accurate and systematic records.
Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and/or Experience)Vocational Assistant: EITHER Six (6) months of full-time experience performing the duties of a Vocational Trainee;ORSix (6) months of paid or unpaid work experience in a human services agency that provided an understanding and acceptance of clients served by the agency.DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENT Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver's License. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONEMPLOYEE PERKSFor information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: .For details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: . FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow long does it take to fill out the application?
You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.
Can I change my application after submitting it?
You may only submit one application per day.
You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.
How long until I hear back from you?
You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.
How can I check for updates on my application?
You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.
Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?
Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.
The County of Humboldt's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionResearch indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.HOW TO APPLYA complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAMEmployees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.
Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62
If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you'd be in Tier III.
2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.
SELECTION PROCEDUREThe County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. “Examination” doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an “oral examination” means a scored and structured interview.POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATIONThe County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.MEDICAL EXAMINATIONA pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.OTHER EXAMINATIONSSome positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.LICENSESSome classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.PROBATIONARY PERIODPersons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITYIt is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.DISASTER SERVICE WORKERSAll County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). 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.THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
