CAREER DESCRIPTION

SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY
Administering a number of human services programs, the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is composed of four business divisions and over 4,000 dedicated employees, providing human services to an average of one-fourth of all Orange County residents. SSA operates under the policy direction of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California Health and Human Services Agency. SSA is responsible for planning, implementing and operating many of the social services programs provided by the County of Orange.

Funding for programs comes primarily from Federal, State and County sources. SSA's budget is approximately $1 billion, with fiduciary responsibility for an additional $4 billion in services provided as a result of programs it administers.

SSA is composed of the following four divisions: Assistance Programs; Children and Family Services; Family Self-Sufficiency & Adult Services; and Administrative Services. Our mission is to deliver quality services that are accessible and responsive to the community, encourage personal responsibility, strengthen individuals, preserve families, and protect vulnerable adults and children.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Staff Specialist position will provide support to a variety of functions. The Staff Specialist will be assigned to a full range of analytical duties, including problem identification, information gathering, analysis, development of alternative resolutions and final recommendations. These activities may be performed through action and verbal discussion or through formal written reports or a combination of both. The position requires the skills and knowledge with technical expertise relating to the functions, which include: Supervision, Grants/Contracts/Procurement, Human Resources role, Budget/Finance, Building/Facility Maintenance, Project Management, Web Technologies, Community Outreach, Research and Administrative Support for the following programs below.

Assistance Programs (AP) - Provides CalFresh, General Relief, Medi-Cal benefits as well as Cash Assistance for Immigrants. We encourage needy or vulnerable adults and children to apply for, receive and maintain the health care, food and cash benefits they are entitled to receive that facilitate stability, self-sufficiency and independent living. We succeed in our mission by providing accurate benefits and services in a professional and caring environment and by creating partnerships with community based and governmental agencies that promote enhanced resource sharing, outreach and program access for the residents of Orange County.

Children & Family Services (CFS) – CFS staff work to protect children through the prevention or remedy of conditions, which may result in abuse/neglect. CFS seeks to partner with families to ensure their children live in safe, nurturing and permanent homes.

Family Self-Sufficiency & Adult Services (FSS-AS) – The FSS-AS Division’s staff endeavor to move eligible families from dependency to self-sufficiency and to provide benefits and services to eligible clients for CalWORKs cash assistance, Welfare-To-Work, CalFresh, Refugee Services, CalLearn, and Medi-Cal. Family Self-Sufficiency employees collaborate with contracted service providers, other SSA divisions, and other governmental and community-based organizations to deliver CalWORKs services. Most adult CalWORKs recipients are mandated to participate in the Welfare-To-Work (WTW) Program, which provides a wide range of services designed to support families working toward the goal of self-sufficiency. Adults Services is comprised of In-Home Supportive Services and Adult Protective Services. Adult Services strives to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse or neglect, limited in their ability to care for themselves and/or cannot live at home safely without assistance. Vulnerable adults are provided supportive services and resources such as needed healthcare, food, shelter, clothing and/or in-home assistance to optimize health and quality of life.

Administrative Services – This division consists of Professional Standards & Operations, OC Information Technology, Accounting, Financial & Research Services, Financial Systems Coordination and Contracts, Procurement & Human Resources program.

Examples of duties may include but are not limited to:

• Supervising and mentoring staff.
• Corresponding with vendors, bidders, and other invested party’s/agency representatives
• Scheduling and conducting tours of program facilities and activities.
• Compiling and analyzing budget projections, budget requests, and strategic financial plans.
• Writing and disseminating program support bulletins and newsletters.
• Preparing and orally presenting program support information to various groups (e.g., employee, civic).
• Performing the role as SSA Liaison to coordinate with Human Resource Services in relation to selection/interview of candidates.
• Assisting with planning and designing projects.
• Visualizing, analyzing and interpreting data to understand relationships, patterns and trends.
• Assisting media representatives in developing background information regarding County programs.
• Managing data and producing monthly reports by using software/tools that track caseload counts of SSA programs that provide assistance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The preferred candidate will have three (3) or more years of experience in gathering, compiling, and/or analyzing information/data. A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a related field such as, Public Administration, Business Administration, etc. is highly desirable. In addition, the successful candidate will also demonstrate the following competencies:

Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of specialized program functions and practices may be required, depending on area of assignment
• Knowledge of general organization, purpose, and functions of County government agencies/departments
• Knowledge of basic principles of mathematics, including percentages, means, medians and other elementary statistical measures may be required of some positions
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, such as, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and other applications
• Conducting research, compiling data and preparing complex financial analysis
• Understanding of financial forecasting and projection techniques based on financial planning perspectives
• Ability to comprehend, explain, and act upon state regulations and statues
• Knowledge and ability to do video production such as editing and/or creating

Strategic Planning/Analytical Skills

• Planning and leading the execution of operational procedures to ensure that projects and deadlines are met within a timely manner
• Effectively analyzing problems and situations before taking corrective actions.
• Working independently to manage time wisely and to effectively prioritize multiple, competing tasks
• Achieving expected quality and quantity of results, and appropriate focus on outcomes
• Developing creative and innovative alternate solutions for management's consideration

Relationship Building/Customer Service

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with peers, supervisors, managers, government officials, vendors and the public
• Ability to act in an advisory role to person accountable for implementation
• Recommending solutions to vendor performance problems; work with vendor to correct problems; recommend sanctions for vendor non-performance; reevaluate with management concurrence; and renew routine service contracts
• Generating enthusiasm and motivate others to act in support of a program's objectives
• Ability to developing public relations proposals to gain public understanding, support, and confidence in agency programs.

Oral and Written Communication

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing
• Ability to respond to public inquiries and complaints concerning technical issues, orally and in writing
• Preparing and orally present program support information to various groups
• Thorough knowledge of correct English usage for administrative writing requirements and oral presentations
• Ability to write full reports regarding approach, data gathering, analysis, problem identification, alternatives, and recommend solutions

Planning and Organization

• Working independently of specific daily direction
• Gathering/compiling data and summarize the data orally or in writing
• Reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing, in writing, the evaluation of such data in terms of trends or general indications of possible problem areas
• Identifying specific issues/problems needing attention
• Recommending solutions, and implement solution as primary person accountable (having authority) for carrying out implementation

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Thorough knowledge of techniques for gathering, compiling, analyzing and presenting information orally and in writing
• Analyzing problems in context of available information and program constraints
• Thinking logically and organize thoughts and work priorities to accomplish work efficiently

Supervision

• Leading, supervising, training, and evaluating staff
• Ability to instruct subordinates on work methods, departmental policies and procedures, and safe work practices
• Maintaining a work environment that encourages cooperation and teamwork
• Promoting and encouraging staff development and skills enhancement
• Ability to administer discipline in a fair and consistent manner
• Developing and presenting performance evaluations to staff
• Conducting staff/team meetings

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates will be required to undergo a background clearance check from California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) and must successfully clear prior to the start of their employment. All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Areas considered in the background check include conviction history, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e. degree, license, or official transcripts) if applicable. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.) In addition, a Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) background clearance check may be required. CACI is a repository of child abuse investigation reports managed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that contains information related to substantiated cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental/emotional abuse, and/or severe neglect of a child.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed below may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.

Online Assessment (Weighted 100%): Candidates whose experience and education appear to best meet the needs of the department will be invited to participate in online examination(s) covering job-related competencies. Some components of this online assessment may be timed.

To access online practice tests, you may consider checking web sites such as the following:
https://www.jobtestprep.com/wonderlic-sample-test
https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List | Score Groups
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and laws, regulations, and policies regarding COVID-19 are subject to change. The County of Orange is required to comply with all applicable State or County Public Health Orders, some of which require vaccination or testing as follows:

• 
  Workers, who provide services in certain Medical or High-Risk Settings, will be required to provide proof of full vaccination from COVID-19 or to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
• Workers, who provide services in certain Health Care Facilities or in a correctional facility or detention center where health care is provided, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted. (Workers may be exempt from this requirement based on religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason; however, if exempted, they will be required to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.)

The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Cindy Mora at Cindy.Mora@ssa.ocgov.com or (714) 245-6265

EEO INFORMATION

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays-we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.