Farmworker Resource Center Business Specialist I/II

County of Santa Barbara
See Position Description
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, retirement plan, relocation assistance
United States, California, Santa Maria
Nov 21, 2024
Description SALARY: Department Business Specialist I: $79,959.36 - $96,008.64 Annually Department Business Specialist II: $91,694.72 - $110,319.04 Annually Plus bilingual allowance when applicable The Department of Social Services is accepting applications to fill one, limited-term bilingual Spanish (Mexican indigenous language highly desirable) vacancy in Santa Maria with Workforce Development Board, Farmworker Resources Center. This is a limited-term (three year) position funded by a federal grant. The position has been initially funded through September 30, 2025; however, funding is anticipated through September 30, 2028. This position requires in-office and in-person presence during the standard Monday - Friday workweek, as well as meetings and events on some evenings and weekends. Teleworking or adjusted work schedules (9/80) are not available for this position. BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information click here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: Retirement reciprocity Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate THE POSITION: The Department Business Specialist staff in this Workforce Development role supports the federally-mandated; private-sector led Workforce Development Board in its various programs. They are responsible for their functional areas and are expected to be program subject matter experts, thoroughly familiar with the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA), and the principals of supervision and project management. They must also possess the ability to represent the WDB and his/her functional program areas with the public, partners, and stakeholders. This position may supervise other staff and the individual selected must have the ability to speak Spanish and a Mexican indigenous language is highly desired. Santa Barbara County Farmworker Resource Center (FWRC) *also known as Proyecto Campesino* The FWRC provides indirect (resources and referrals) and direct workforce (employment and education) services to farmworkers and their families. Indirect services include closed-loop referrals, warm handoffs, and information on the resources available from County departments, County Partners, education providers, and community-based organizations. The FWRC uses a mobile resource center that travels countywide. The center conducts outreach countywide, serving as a one-stop shop providing information, on available resources and services available. The information and access to services, range from but not limited to the following: labor and employment rights, employment assistance and advocacy, education access and support, financial assistance, emergency supportive assistance and referrals, and health and human services. The goal of the Farmworker Resource Center is to build trust and relationships with farmworkers, their communities, employers, and growers to address the challenges and needs faced by farmworkers. Direct service aim at empowering farmworkers, including immigrants, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and their dependents by offering comprehensive career services and skills training. Our programs provide services, such as comprehensive needs assessments and personalized career planning, sector-based training and certification programs, supportive services, and work-based learning opportunities in collaboration with local employers. The Departmental Business Specialist (DBS), in this role, will act as a business services liaison with agriculture and other local employers. This DBS will serve as a vital link between farmworkers and agricultural businesses in our community. This role involves fostering relationships, facilitating communication, and ensuring that both workers and employers have the resources and support they need to succeed. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of agricultural practices. The DBS will be responsible for developing employer relations in order to facilitate work-based learning opportunities (including paid work experience and on-the-job training) and connecting farmworkers (participating in our programs) to various employment opportunities. Additionally, the DBS will be reporting activities and acting as the liaison with State and community stakeholders. Incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable in department business processes and at least one of the following: critical program regulations; governmental fiscal record keeping - including budget, contract, and grant preparation and monitoring; or automated systems. Department Business Specialist I/II is a professional-level, flexibly-staffed classification series: Department Business Specialist I is the entry-level and may lead but would not typically supervise staff. Department Business Specialist II is the journey level and may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over other professional staff. Incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable in department business processes and at least one of the following: critical program regulations; governmental fiscal record keeping - including budget, contract, and grant preparation and monitoring; or automated systems. PLEASE NOTE: The candidate may be appointed to the DBS I or DBS II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. The SBCFRC Coordinator's examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local farms, agricultural businesses, and farmworker organizations. Act as a point of contact for businesses seeking to hire farmworkers and for workers seeking employment. Communicate the needs and concerns of farm workers to agricultural businesses. Provide information to farmworkers about available job opportunities, training programs, and resources. Collaborate with local agencies and organizations to provide support services, such as legal assistance and training programs. Assist in creating and implementing programs that support workforce development, including training and skill enhancement. Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and suggest improvements based on feedback from workers and businesses. Stay informed about changes in labor laws and regulations affecting farm workers and businesses. Maintain accurate records of communication with businesses and farmworkers. Collect and analyze data to report job placement success, worker satisfaction, and business needs. Collaborate with employers to conduct monthly outreach and attend, as needed, community industry meetings to discuss ongoing and emerging needs and the delivery of services and referrals. Coordinate the maintenance of the FWRC website. Assist in coordinating resource fair events around Santa Barbara County in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and other organizations. IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess: Positive attitude, openness, strong interpersonal skills, and client service focus Extensive experience performing business engagement. Experience providing services to Limited English Proficiency and non-English speaking individuals, including noncitizen farmworkers. Supervisory or lead experience. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. Dependability and follow-through to meet deadlines. Good judgment under pressure, tact, and diplomacy. Flexibility, open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, and unexpected obstacles, and effectively deals with ambiguity. Strong analytical, organizational, oral/written communication skills. Background in the development of presentations, tools, and training materials for a wide variety of audiences. Excellent teamwork and influence - ability to work with staff and management to facilitate process improvement and problem-solving. Strong background in analysis and report writing for a wide variety of audiences. Ability to develop and conduct professional presentations appropriate for various audiences. Ability to work with staff on process improvement and problem-solving. Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines. Results-oriented approach in identifying and implementing improvements/innovations necessary for successful service delivery. Excellent verbal and written communication skills Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Ability to speak Spanish is a must, and a Mexican indigenous language (such as Mixteco, Nahuatl, Purepecha, etc.) is highly desirable. Examples of Duties Researches and analyzes rules, regulations, legislation, and procedures to determine their impact on departmental processes, reporting, and fiscal requirements; develops and recommends policies and procedures; and identifies and validates business process requirements, critical success factors, and fiscal, technological, and environmental constraints and assumptions. Develops written procedures to implement adopted policy or to clarify and describe standard practices; coordinates the development or revision of policies and procedures to support new processes and systems, reduce costs, enhance revenue, and maximize service levels; evaluates organizational impact of changes; prepares response strategies; designs and improves forms; and coordinates publication and dissemination of such material. Serves as liaison with clients and representatives of private businesses, state and/or federal agencies, and other County departments to coordinate special projects and to provide specified administrative services such as budget reports generated from automated financial systems or contracts for services based on an analysis of program needs and available funding; represents the department in the development of, or change in, programs and regulations; and gathers information for use in assigned studies or management decisions. Develop and maintain relationships with local farmers, agricultural businesses, and community organizations to facilitate job placements and support services. Organize regular meetings or events to connect farm workers with potential employers. Assist farmworkers in finding suitable job opportunities through outreach efforts and job fairs. Match workers' skills and preferences with the needs of agricultural businesses. Coordinate and promote training workshops for farmworkers to enhance their skills and employability. Identify gaps in training and advocate for additional resources or programs to meet those needs. Collaborate with FWRC to provide farmworkers with information about employment, training, and available support services (e.g., housing, healthcare). Create and distribute informational materials that educate both workers and employers. Gather data on job placements, worker satisfaction, and employer needs to assess the effectiveness of programs and services. Prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders on the outcomes and impacts of initiatives. Conduct outreach campaigns to inform farm workers about available job opportunities and support services. Collaborate with government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations to align resources and services for farmworkers. Seek partnerships that can provide additional support, such as legal aid or health services. Collect feedback from farm workers and employers to continuously improve services and programs. Stay updated on industry trends and changes in labor laws that may affect farm workers and businesses. Employment Standards 1. Possession of a bachelor's degree in business administration or in a specific area of study related to assignment, such as public administration, sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, vocational guidance, or other field related to the provision of employment services, OR, 2. Possession of an associate's degree in business administration or a specific area of study related to assignment, such as public administration, sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, vocational guidance, or other field related to the provision of employment services AND two years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; (CalJobs, Smartsheets); OR, 3. Four years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; (CalJobs, Smartsheets); OR, 4. A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required competencies. Note: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree. COMPETENCIES: To see the job classification for competencies, go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty/classspecs/110481?keywords=departmental&pagetype=classSpecifications Additional Information: Independent travel throughout the county and state will be required. Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License will be required at the time of appointment. Fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code may be required for some positions. Current technical or professional knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession. Supplemental Information APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven qualified candidates. Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution. Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines . Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period. COVID-19 Vaccination Verification and Testing: This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information. Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Statement of Commitment The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential. We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances. We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members. We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity. APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Friday 12/13/24 at 4:59 P.M. (PST) Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Jasmine Gaytan at jgayta@countyofsb.org