Be part of transforming lives in the Ventura County community as Technical Specialist II – Fluent in an Indigenous Languages such as Mixteco, Zapoteco, Purepecha, or other indigenous languages!
 
The Human Services Agency is seeking Technical Specialists who are fluent in English as well as Mixteco, Zapoteco, Purepecha and/or another Indigenous language spoken by Agency clients focusing on language interpretation for clients, targeted community outreach, and special projects in efforts to deliver efficient, responsive and quality client services for the benefit of our community.
OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITYVentura County is located on California's "Gold Coast," approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 20 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. The County includes 42 miles of coastline which is home to the fol­lowing cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Ventura County’s beauty and weather combined with a wonderful quality of life are among the many reasons our residents choose to call Ventura County "home."
 
THE AGENCY
To learn about the Human Services Agency, click “Who We Are” to view a short video about our multiple departments.
 
The Human Services Agency serves nearly 1 in 3 Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. The Agency strives to meet the needs of community members who speak a variety of languages including Mixteco, Zapoteco, Purepecha and other Indigenous languages; to deliver services in a manner that is inclusive and respectful of each community’s beliefs, practices and expressions; and to ensure equitable access and outcomes for all clients. Fluency in Mixteco from San Martin Peras, Oaxaca Mexico and Purepecha is highly desired.
 
THE POSITION  
Under supervision, the Technical Specialist – Fluent in Indigenous Language assists and supports staff with language interpretation involving sensitive, confidential topics, community outreach, special projects, and routine professional, clerical, and technical work. 
 
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Human Services Agency
 
PAYROLL TITLE: Technical Specialist II-PH

Technical Specialist II-PH is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation. 
 
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE 
Incumbents will be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Provides in-person and virtual Indigenous language interpretation for clients regarding sensitive, confidential topics.
• Provides input into outreach strategies, and performs outreach at community events and venues.
• Collects, records, and analyzes information necessary for a special study or program area. Identifies and categorizes relevant information.
• Evaluates data, draws conclusions, and prepares recommendations.
• Conducts interviews with clients or the public in order to assist with the provision of program services.
• Provides public contact and communicates information on programs and services.
• Assembles and keeps accurate records and reviews information for accuracy, completeness, and consistency. Maintains filing and pulls historical documents and records from established files.
• Writes correspondence and prepares narrative and statistical reports for supervisory review, and assists in the presentation of oral and/or written reports.
• Performs data collection and entry, makes arithmetic calculations, assists with collection and analysis of statistical data, and may display results using spreadsheet or presentation software.
• Assists in researching information for projects. May plan and carry out assigned projects under supervision that improve client service.
• May operate office equipment and machines.
• Performs other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
 
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE 
Any combination of education and/or experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this position. The required knowledge, skills and abilities may be obtained by:
 
Some experience in community outreach, customer service, interpretation, record maintenance, administrative assignments, or other related experience.
Substitution for experience:
Twelve (12) semester units of college course work in human services, sociology, psychology, ethnic studies, communications, or a closely related field may be substituted for experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Fluent in Mixteco, Zapoteco, Purepecha, or another Indigenous language spoken by Agency clients, and English.
• Some jobs may require a valid California driver license; mileage reimbursement will be provided for approved business travel.
• Ability and willing to drive to multiple work locations and offsite meetings.

 
DESIRED

• Fluent in Mixteco from San Martin Peras, Oaxaca Mexico

 
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class. At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: 

• principles and theories of professional/technical disciplines may be required depending on the assignment.
• techniques required for gathering, evaluating, transmitting, interpreting, or conveying information in an indigenous language.
• interviewing techniques.
• record keeping practices and techniques.

 
Skills in:

• researching information, organizing documents and record maintenance.

 
Ability to: 

• follow complex written and oral instructions, and utilize complex forms, letters, and documents.
• collect and evaluate information.
• identify problems, research, reason logically, develop reasonable recommendations, and propose possible solutions.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with other employees, clients, the general public, or other agency personnel, including interpretation of an indigenous language.
• read and understand forms, documents, letters, and technical language.
• perform a variety of administrative assignments.
• perform basic arithmetic calculations, operate a calculator, personal computer, or other office equipment.
• utilize community resources.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned supervisor, coworkers, other agencies, clients, and the public and employ customer service techniques in situations requiring tact and courtesy.

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

FIRST REVIEW: A first review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around April 26, 2024 and subsequent reviews may be conducted until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs. 
To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura, Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
 
Information for Transfer Candidates:If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.
 
Note: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the recruitment and hiring process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.
 
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
 
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
 
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.
 
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
 
NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination may not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
 
ELIGIBLE LIST: Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
 
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent and Extra Help vacancies. There are currently four (4) intermittent vacancies in the Administrative Services Department and one (1) intermittent vacancy in the Community Access and Engagement Department.
 
SELECTION INTERVIEW: When a position becomes available, applicants are referred to the employing department for interviews beginning with the highest scoring applicants, moving down the list from the top until the available positions are filled.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record is required for this position.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
 
It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION: For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kim Mariscal by email at kim.mariscal@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-5153.