Job Description

Posting number: G117AC

Department: Human Services Agency

Job classification: Senior Community Worker

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Community Services, Human Services, Community and Social Services

Summary

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of the County of San Mateo's Human Services Agency is seeking an experienced Senior Community Worker to provide a wide variety of advanced community services of a remedial, educational, and emergency nature for socially, economically or mentally disadvantaged persons, which may include group and individual instruction and counseling, needs assessment and plan development, outreach, case management and direct patient care services.

This position requires the ability to read, write and speak Spanish.

The Senior Community Worker will perform the most complex types of duties assigned to the class series, exercising a high level of autonomy, judgment, and initiative demonstrated by a high level of involvement in the development of individual (non-medical) care or support plan, significant levels of advocacy with external groups on behalf of the clients and advanced level of group facilitation, community education and training activities.

There is one regular position within the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of the Human Services Agency.

This is a full-time-in person position.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be sensitive to the needs of the economically/socially disadvantaged.
• Have experience providing supportive services to individuals with barriers.
• Be client and customer centered.
• Motivate others and work as a team member.
• Collaborate effectively with community partners and other agencies.
• Be highly organized, flexible and work independently.
• Make effective decisions without supervision.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Use various computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS, Outlook and other programs as needed.
• Have reliable means of transportation to drive throughout San Mateo County.
• Abide by program rules and regulations and apply them to policy and procedures.

Days and hours may vary, as the work schedule will be based on the clients’ work schedules. Additionally, the incumbent will be available to work evening and weekends to perform duties of the position.

Examples of duties

Duties include:

• Provide individual support in developing independent job skills at the worksite to assist the client in maintaining employment with the goal of self-sufficiency.
• Assess the client and employer needs and the work environment; observe, shadow, train, coach, create and provide tools, model, interpret, and monitor the client onsite in employer facilities to support and facilitate client success.
• Educate and assist in assimilation in the workplace; develop solutions, often immediate, to problems and situations as they arise.
• Assist the client in resolving differences or challenges in the workplace; mediate differences between co-workers and employers when necessary.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss client strengths, challenges, and resources available to support the client.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation including letters, reports and case notes, utilizing the case management system.

Qualifications

Language Requirement: Position requires the ability to speak, read and write fluently in both English and Spanish.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations and County program policies and guidelines.
• Problems, needs, attitudes and behavior patterns of disadvantaged individuals and of the total community served.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• Social and community resources.
• Basic techniques and dynamics of assessment and engagement.
• Techniques for group and individual counseling.
• Basic case management techniques and processes.
• Perform effectively in stressful, emotional, and confrontational situations.
• Recognize factors causing reaction or changes in a client's condition or behavior.
• Evaluate information received and make appropriate recommendations and referrals.
• Identification, development, and utilization of social and community resources.
• Techniques for effectively representing the County in contacts with the general public, other agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, clientele, and staff.

Skill/Ability to:

• Effectively market and represent a program, its clients, and services to external agencies.
• Interpret, explain, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Interpret agency programs and policies to members of the community served.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Analyze problems, formulate plans and put them into effect with a minimum of supervision.
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time and lift and carry equipment and supplies used in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills is two years of experience providing community services of a remedial and educational nature which includes experience counseling and conducting outreach to the client population served.

Licensure/Certification:

Some positions may require possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in the field as well as an office environment; to operate a motor vehicle to attend meetings, and visit various County sites/employers, and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard. Positions in this classification may bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work.

Environmental Elements:

Employees may be exposed to loud or excessive noise levels, unpleasant odors, or dust. Protective clothing such as gloves when supporting client job training.

Supplemental information

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service In a classified regular, probationary, extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, 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 SCHEDULE~

Application Filing Deadline: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST

Screening: Monday, November 30, 2026 through Tuesday, December 1, 2026

Combined Panel Interviews: Monday, December 14, 2026

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 is committed to advancing equity in order 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.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Senior Community Worker - G117)