Employment Services Specialist II - Limited Term

The Human Services Agency (HSA) of the County of San Mateo is seeking a qualified candidate for the Employment Services Specialist II position. 

Under general supervision, the Employment Services Specialist II will provide a variety of employment services to clients, including assessment, counseling, and case management. Employment Services Specialist II will exercise independent judgment in assessing and counseling clients regarding training and employment in accordance with established County policies and procedures and program regulations.

The Employment Services Specialist in this classification works with a diverse population with various obstacles to employment. Additionally, the Employment Services Specialist is expected to provide the following service range.

Example of duties may include, but not limited to the following:

• Screen clients for eligibility for a broad range of employment related services strategies to guide individuals into the labor market.
• Utilize a variety of vocational assessment materials, inventories and information to analyze and interpret client skills, abilities, aptitudes, values, and personal traits to develop service plans that strengthen entry/re-entry into the labor market.
• Develop individual service plans with clients by identifying training and employment goals and implementing strategies to achieve goals.
• Assist in developing knowledge of employment and job placement opportunities.
• Arrange and schedule training and educational programs for clients.
• Communicate, collaborate and maintain regular contact with service providers and clients to ensure coordinated care services to meet client needs are provided.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss client strengths, challenges, and resources available to support the client.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation including letters, reports, forms, and case notes, utilizing the county’s case management system.
• Interpret Federal and State regulations and apply them to program policy and procedures.
• Abide by program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Conduct community outreach and recruitment activities.
• Train new staff on the key aspects of operations, including working with supervisors to develop and conduct individual on-the-job training for new employees having difficulty applying policies and procedures.
• Train ongoing staff and supervisors on new or updated policy/procedures using adult learning theory.
• Provide assistance in collecting and disseminating quality assurance data, interpreting data and reports, analyze and identify trends, and in developing recommendations.
• Create graphs, charts, and summary reports to communicate findings to various stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have two years of professional experience providing a variety of employment services to clients including assessment, counseling, and case management; demonstrated a broad range of skills and abilities working with a diverse population as it relates to their employment needs; experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; and be highly proficient in using standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, or databases. In addition, the candidate must possess excellent interpersonal and writing skills and have a general understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of career and vocational assessment and counseling, problem solving, and interviewing.

Note:  This is a limited-term assignment.  Limited term employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years.  They receive medical and dental benefits similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.  This recruitment may be used to fill future limited term positions.Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify for an ESS II is two years of professional experience providing a variety of employment services to clients including assessment, counseling and case management.

Knowledge of: Principles, practices and techniques of career and vocational assessment and counseling, including interviewing and problem solving techniques; community resources and referral services; employment practices and strategies and local labor market trends; educational and employment training schools, programs and services; applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and County and program policies and guidelines; computer applications related to the work and office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill/Ability to: Assess and counsel job seeking clients effectively and assist them in employment problem solving and decision making; develop individualized, practical and effective employment training plans; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, employers, schools, County staff and others; plan and conduct individual and group vocational exercises and workshops; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; understand, explain and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines and maintain accurate records and files and prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

This is a limited term recruitment. Anyone may apply. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. The Human Services Agency screen materials after the recruitment closes. The Human Services Agency will contact qualified candidates directly for a departmental interview.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be conducted virtually or in person and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT DATES:
Final Filing Date:  Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Tentative Departmental Interviews:  TBD

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

Salary : $86,840 - $108,576