Position InformationJoin us in making a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness and contribute to our mission of ending homelessness in Sonoma County!Starting salary up to $50.13/hour ($104,627/year) and a competitive total compensation package!* About the Position The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Community Development Program Specialist to join our Ending Homelessness Team. This role will provide crucial administrative support and play a key role in aligning and integrating the homelessness services system across local providers and county department/agency systems of care. Reporting directly to the Continuum of Care Coordinator, you will contribute to achieving the goals of the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition. This position involves a mix of administrative tasks, community outreach, and public meeting facilitation. Other key duties are:
- Monitoring and evaluating federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care Program-funded projects dedicated to homelessness
- Researching relevant federal and local regulations, policies, and laws to ensure alignment with best practices
- Engaging with a variety of community-based organizations
- Creating materials for Homeless Coalition meetings, taking minutes, developing reports, and creating presentations
- Responding to individuals experiencing homelessness in the community, providing necessary resources and support
- Facilitating the Homeless Coalition’s Racial Equity Workgroup to promote inclusivity and equity in services
- Contributing to the Department of Health Services Equity Circle, supporting ongoing equity initiatives and discussions
As the ideal candidate to join the team, you will demonstrate understanding and compassion towards the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. In addition, you will possess many of the following:
- Problem-solving skills to address and resolve issues related to homelessness services
- Knowledge of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), Coordinated Entry Systems, or similar systems
- Familiarity with a range of social service programs, especially those dedicated to relieving the impacts of homelessness
- A dedication to advancing the organizational goals and equity within homelessness services
- The ability to adapt to a variety of communication styles to suit different audiences, including individuals experiencing homelessness, community partners, and officials
- Prior experience engaging in community outreach and researching topics related to homelessness and evidence-based practices
- Passion for working in the homelessness services sector and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI) efforts
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
The Department of Health Services DHS is one of the County's largest and most complex departments. DHS consists of the Administration, Behavioral Health, Public Health, and Homelessness Services Divisions and is driven by its mission to promote, protect, and ensure access to services that support the health, recovery, and well-being of all in Sonoma County. These ideas are the basis for how DHS operates and delivers services:
- Excellence - Strive to create a culture of learning, innovation, and data-driven practices to guide internal operations, improve performance, and build staff expertise
- Collaboration - Engage and work collaboratively with partners, communities, and staff to maximize its impact across the County
- Equity - Work to reduce disparities and ensure fairness, compassion, and social justice
For more information about the Homelessness Services Division visit the DHS Homelessness Services website .
What We Offer Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Community Development Program Specialist position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum QualificationsExperience and Education: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include academic coursework in public administration, business, accounting, real estate, finance, or related fields, and three years of work experience equivalent to performing duties as a Community Development Specialist II.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Bilingual Designation: Designated positions may require the ability to speak, read, and write a language in addition to English.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of: the purpose, process, and concepts of processing documents related to Community Development Programs; federal assistance programs; real estate transactions; loan application procedures; grant program funding; commonly used documents related to specialized program areas; methods and techniques used in researching, proofing, evaluating, and gathering information; organization and presentation of data in reports to the public; computerized equipment and specific systems used within the Commission; English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition; public welfare and community resources available to low-income groups; instructional techniques and methods.
Ability to: work independently in performing most assignments and in resolving problems; provide training and support to lower level staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, other employees, supervisors, community organizations, representatives, the general public, and state and federal agencies; analyze and evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; assist in management of multi-faceted programs; independently manage multiple projects of a multi-faceted program; organize, coordinate, analyze, and synthesize the work of varied and changing work groups including staff of municipalities, County departments, local and state agencies, community organizations, lenders, title companies, real estate agents, developers, and others; communicate effectively verbally and in writing with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; maintain confidentiality of restricted information; function as lead for a program and/or multiple projects of a program; use computerized equipment; make oral and written presentations to diverse groups and organizations; establish, organize, and manage departmental files; prepare clear and concise written reports.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: SZ
HR Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 10/8/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
