Job description
The Position
The City of Berkeley is currently accepting applications for Community Services Specialist II. The Community Services Specialist II is a city-wide classification that provides a variety of community services and program support to the local population. Incumbents are responsible for handling complex problems and assignments and performing a wide range of social and programmatic services to community organization, requiring independent judgment and decision-making. The type of duties performed may vary depending on the program and type of services provided.
Typical duties may include:
- Works with the program supervisor, other City departments and public agencies, boards and commissions, and the private sector in developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to specialized neighborhood or community programs;
- Works closely with and provides technical assistance, directly or through subordinate staff, to a variety of citizen boards and commissions and community and neighborhood based committees and groups;
- Compiles and analyzes data; prepares written and oral reports for the City Manager and other senior staff on a variety of development policies and programs;
- Plans and implements a wide variety of community service programs; evaluates social service needs of citizens and recommends education, work, recreation, and prevention programs; assists clients in initiating and carrying out self-help efforts;
- Assists management personnel in other departments in the planning, conduct and evaluation of social services aspects of departmental programs;
- Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of City funded community based programs and recommends changes in programs and funding levels, as appropriate;
- Works with various community groups and membership organizations to encourage an interest in program goals and projects;
- Organizes special community education programs, conferences, meetings and speaker's bureaus; advises departmental personnel on the use of educational materials and techniques and the use of community resources;
- Represents the City at meetings and in contacts with other agencies, commissions, business and community groups, and members of the public;
- Coordinates the preparation of grant applications to secure federal, state or other funds; gathers information, writes narratives, makes necessary contacts with City and non-City personnel; assures follow-up with the funding agency, establishes monitoring procedures and prepares evaluations;
- Reviews contracts, invoices, vouchers and City agreements and performs various financial analyses and reconciliations; may develop or utilize computer applications to assist with assigned analytical studies;
- Provides technical assistance to others in area of specialization; may supervise support staff on a project or regular basis;
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Positions in this class may be assigned supervision of paraprofessional and/or office support staff.
The eligible list resulting from this recruitment will be used to fill vacancies for Community Services Specialist II that may occur in the following Departments during the next year: Health, Housing & Community Services (HHCS), Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (PRW), Planning and Development, City Manager's Office and Rent Stabilization Board.
Health, Housing & Community Services (HHCS) Department:
In the Housing and Community Services Division )HCS): This division produces and preserves affordable housing and strengthens community services to support low-income, homeless, senior, and disabled Berkeley community members. The Division administers supportive housing, affordable housing policies and programs, and provides funding to community agencies that provide homeless, health, employment and other critical services. HCS administers local, state and federal funding for a variety of community development activities, including affordable housing programs, homeless services, employment programs, public facility improvement projects, and a wide array of community services. Community Service Specialists support activities across the division, but particularly in the following Units: Shelter Plus Care, Compliance and Community Services, and Homeless Services.
Duties for the CSSII’s within HCS may include, but are not limited to:
- Contract Monitoring, including providing technical assistance for contracts with community-based agencies (subrecipients) that provide a variety of services including disability, legal, employment, homeless, and home improvement;
- Preparing requests for proposals, evaluating applications; and administering local, state and federal funds to provide low income Berkeley residents with needed services and/or home improvements;
- Managing and implementing HCS programs/projects in collaboration with community partners, such as the Shelter Plus Care program, home rehabilitation loan programs, homeless programs, and community facility improvement projects.
- Working effectively in operational and policy meetings with stakeholders at the County and in other jurisdictions, with staff in other City departments, with elected City officials, and with nonprofit leaders and staff.
- Assist in the administration of a variety of state and federally funded community development grant programs, including assisting in the development of various HUD required reports and plans.
- Preparing reports and making presentations to Council, Commissions, and other city leaders.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
In the Public Health Division (PH): Public Health has CSSII positions in the YouthWorks program which provides employment and training opportunities that allow youth participants ages 14-25 the opportunity to build their employability skills while encouraging school completion and/or enrollment in postsecondary education and/or training. The Community Services Specialist II duties will focus on a team approach to youth-focused direct services as well as data analytics and strategic planning to support overall program management.
Activities may include, but not be limited to, the following: program outreach, recruitment, training, onboarding and supervision of youth participants, implement and manage activities and events (e.g., centralized City department/division internship coordination, pipeline planning with community partners for transition-aged youth (TAY), etc.), develop, monitor and manage program outcome measures (e.g., quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, survey development, focus groups implementation and management, preparation of summary reports, support grant/project reporting requirements, etc.) and partner with other staff to develop, revive and maintain partner organization relationships.
In The Office of the Director Division: This division has a CSSII position in Berkeley’s 2020 Vision, a citywide racial equity initiative that strives for high educational and health outcomes for African American/Black and Latinx young people in Berkeley. The CSSII supports, strengthens and connects community programs, providers and systems to achieve 2020 Vision’s equity goals. This position informs and helps refine the 2020 Vision initiative, including by helping identify strengths, gaps and possibilities in the systems that serve 2020 Vision’s target population. The CSSII staffs a key strategy for increasing racial equity in Berkeley: 2020 Vision’s community agency contracts (currently 24 programs valued at ~$1.7 million/year). The CSSII develops and monitors these contracts and helps coach program leaders on building agency capacity to have greater impact. The CSSII develops positive, productive working relationships and collaborates effectively with the initiative’s many partners and stakeholders. Other duties may include, but are not limited to: writing reports and other communications; collecting, analyzing and presenting data; organizing and staffing activities/events; and presenting to community groups, colleagues and other stakeholders.
Another CSSII in the Office of the Director will serve in the role of Berkeley High School Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator. This position is being added as part of the City’s Reimagining Public Safety initiative as well as due to growing youth mental health needs.
In the Mental Health Division (MH): The Mental Health Division provides services to people with serious mental illness who receive Medi-Cal. This position will oversee the diversity/multicultural committee and activities and the MH Equity Committee, serve as staff training coordinator, coordinate the Mental Health First Aid Program, develop the cultural competence plan, work with community partners and family members around inclusion and reduction of stigma, and supervise administrative clerical staff. This division supports mental health services in our local Berkeley Community through direct service, community based organizations, and processes designed to gather and develop community feedback for program implementation. The Diversity, Multicultural, and Training Coordinator position, staffed as a CSSII, supports the Division and Partners in the Community with training opportunities to foster important development and training. This position currently supervises a single staff person as a second member of the Diversity and Multicultural Program team.
Activities of this position may include but are not limited to:
- Serving as back up to the Mental Health Commission as Commission Secretary.
- Serve as Staff Training Coordinator for Division of Mental Health (selecting presenters, selecting venue, serve as facilitator of staff training committee, informing staff of upcoming trainings that occur in the community)
- Serve as co-chair of the Mental Health Equity Committee which involves gathering and presenting data.
- Serves as coordinator of Mental Health First Aid program.
- Power Point presentations
- Coordinate cultural events
- Proficient in ERMA and Excel
- Experience writing/developing a Cultural Competence Plan for Mental Health
- Supervise the work of the staff on the Diversity and Multicultural Program
Planning and Development Department:
In the Building and Safety Division: The Building and Safety Division position oversees the federally funded Retrofit Grants program, which provides grants to the owners of seismically vulnerable buildings. This position also manages projects, conducts outreach, provides assistance to owners, monitors expenditures, administers contracts and prepare reports for the funder.
In the Office of the Director: The Office of the Director supports the operations of the Department and works closely with all Divisions to ensure their needs are met. This position manages technology and technology contracts, provides support on special projects, initiates programs and events that provide staff development, and collaborates with staff throughout the city to enhance customer service efforts in the Planning Department.
In the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development: The Office of Energy and Sustainable Development (OESD) develops and implements forward-thinking environmental- and climate-focused programs which require policy development, community and technical engagement on climate and equity issues, project management of outside consultants and community organizations, and coordination with various stakeholders (including staff from other departments, elected and appointed officials, and members of the public). Positions in OESD require knowledge of electrification strategies, distributed energy resources, and climate policy. These positions coordinate cross-departmental energy-related projects and liaise with regional and state agencies on policy development, funding initiatives, and regulatory proceedings. These positions also lead on City Council reports, public presentations, grant writing and reporting, ordinance development and implementation, Request for Proposal (RFP) development, and contract management.
City Manager Department:
The scope of responsibilities for the position include:
- Utilizing City resources to address residential and business district quality of life issues
- Responding to customer service requests and council referrals
- Working directly with neighbors and neighborhoods to resolve issues
- Coordinating with multiple departments to deliver special community engagement or beautification projects throughout the City of Berkeley, such as the City Open House
- Conducting field assessments and supporting multi-departmental coordination to address the impacts of the homeless crisis in the Berkeley community
- Liaising with UC Berkeley on neighborhood impact issues, such as Student Move Out and In, the first eight (8) weeks of the fall semester, noise and Group Living Accommodations (GLA) ordinance concerns
- Serving as a Commission Secretary to the Peace & Justice Commission
Rent Stabilization Board:
This Community Services Specialist II in this department staff as Housing Counselors/Outreach Specialists. They provide non-directive guidance/interpretation on the rent stabilization ordinance and other housing related laws. They also manage various ongoing and one-time outreach projects. Occasionally they are given analytical reports or other research to do. CSS II staff may also be responsible for tracking either their work product or the work of the Division.
Candidates who apply by the final filing date and pass all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment list that will be used by any of the listed City departments to fill career full-time and/or temporary positions that may open up in the next 12 months.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in sociology or a related field.
AND
AND
Experience:
Two (2) years of professional level experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation, or the development and delivery of community service programs. Experience must have included report writing and have been at the level of the Community Services Specialist I. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a on a year for year basis.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Two (2) years of professional level experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation, or the development and delivery of community service programs. Experience must have included report writing and have been at the level of the Community Services Specialist I. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a on a year for year basis.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Some positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record
- May be required to work evenings and weekends
Knowledge and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE OF: Federal, state and local social service program resources and funding availability; social, employment, health and housing issues facing various age and population groups in an ethnically diverse and multi-cultural community; applicable city, state and federal guidelines and laws affecting program availability and services; methods of data collection, monitoring and program evaluation; basic leadership and training principles; basic supervisory principles and practices.
ABILITY TO: Provide program assistance to and direction for community and City programs; assess community needs and identify appropriate resources for assistance and referrals; coordinate programs with other community agencies and services; collect, evaluate and interpret varied information and data and develop sound conclusions; conduct educational programs and workshops; understand a variety of population groups as they relate to provision of social services and community organizing efforts; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City staff, community agencies and groups, and the service recipients.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following:
- CITY OF BERKELEY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
- RESUME
- RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
All materials must be received in our office no later than the closing date, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Postmarks, faxes and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
The examination process will consist of:
- Review of applications for minimum qualifications for the position and to ensure all materials have been submitted.
- Written Examination - Applicants possessing these requirements will advance to a multiple-choice written examination. The examination will cover elements of the knowledge and abilities identified in this announcement.
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background / reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. Components may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate.
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency / disaster.
Exam Access Accommodation: In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Berkeley will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Human Resources Department | 1-510-981-6800 | hr@cityofberkeley.info |2180 Milvia 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Requests can be made via email, phone, or in writing via U.S. mail.
Alternative Application Formats: This application material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley | Phone: 1-(510)-981-6300 | TTY: 1-(510)-981-6347| ADA@cityofberkeley.info and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
The City of Berkeley is an EEO/ADA Employer.
DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. Components may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate.
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency / disaster.
Exam Access Accommodation: In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Berkeley will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Human Resources Department | 1-510-981-6800 | hr@cityofberkeley.info |2180 Milvia 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Requests can be made via email, phone, or in writing via U.S. mail.
Alternative Application Formats: This application material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley | Phone: 1-(510)-981-6300 | TTY: 1-(510)-981-6347| ADA@cityofberkeley.info and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
The City of Berkeley is an EEO/ADA Employer.
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