Client Services Assistant - II

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

The Placer Adult Systems of Care (ASOC) is currently seeking to fill three (3) Client Services Assistant positions based in Auburn, CA. Current vacancies reside in the following programs:

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): This position will support a team of Client Services Counselors in scheduling and paperwork management, utilize CMIPS and OnBase (electronic records systems) for tracking and accessing paperwork, and have frequent and effective communication with colleagues and the community. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, think creatively, problem solve, manage time effectively, work well in a team, be adaptable, organize a workload, and have a commitment to serving vulnerable populations who are experiencing long-term disabilities of various types and age ranges who are applying for, and/or receiving, in-home supportive services.

Housing Program: Duties include but are not limited to providing linkage to community resources, mental health resources, drug and alcohol services, and housing. Staff may be called upon to facilitate psycho-educational groups, transport clients, and attend community events to educate the public regarding County mental health services, and resources. The ideal candidate will be able to establish a safe and supportive learning environment in a residential setting. This population requires that staff possess public service skills and a genuine desire to engage those who are seeking services.

Public Guardian (PG): Duties include but are not limited to supporting staff by transporting mental health/behavioral health clients from home or residential facilities, to and from medical appointments, and to court. Staff may be required to assist clients with making appointments, inventory current client items, organize the assets, and keep the public guardian deputies informed of updates to the client's care including documentation in electronic records. The ideal candidate must have the ability to communicate well with clients who have a mental illness as well as with the client's care providers at residential facilities, hospitals, or care centers.

This recruitment may be used to fill permanent/full-time positions and Temporary/Extra Help* assignments throughout the Department of Health and Human Services as vacancies arise.

*Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at Level I, Level II or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications for each recruitment. If you apply and qualify for both levels, you will only be required to take one online examination.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view General benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To assist in providing designated health and human services to an assigned client base; to provide instruction and support to clients in learning and applying daily living skills; to provide care and supervision to clients, including children; and to carry out client treatment plans as prepared by professional staff members; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

This is the full journey level class within the Client Services Assistant series.  This class is distinguished from the Client Services Assistant I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Receives general supervision from professional staff members as assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide care and supervision of assigned client population, which may include infants, children, adolescents, or adults, in all aspects of daily living activities; assist clients in performing and learning such living skills as grooming, hygiene, meal planning and preparation, budgeting, routine household maintenance, and various work/study projects; instruct clients in appropriate use of prescribed medications, dispensing and controlling medications as necessary; observe clients taking medications.
• Assist clients in learning and displaying appropriate behavior in classroom, recreational, work and social settings; observe potential crisis situations and report or intervene according to prescribed procedures; practice behavior management techniques.
• Observe clients at all times; document activities, behavior, incidents and respond/refer to each appropriately; counsel clients and provide role model behavior; communicate with professional staff, other staff members, and representatives from involved agencies regarding clients' needs, behaviors, and treatments as necessary and appropriate.
• Carry out and participate in the interdisciplinary treatment plans developed for clients; participate in plan development; communicate with case management staff, families and other agencies/interested parties to coordinate treatment plan and activities; assist clients in transitioning to higher levels of self-awareness and responsibility.
• Assist clients in identifying and utilizing available community resources; arrange for emergency hospitalization of clients; schedule appointments for clients; provide transportation for clients to appointments, shopping, school, work and recreational activities; supervise visits to children.
• Perform general maintenance and housekeeping as appropriate to include mopping, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, washing/drying clothes, and meal preparation and serving; shop for food, pick up medications, report hazards and facility damage; sort and store supplies and maintain records including petty cash.
• Enter information in daily behavior/activity logs; review and read log entries prior to assuming shift duties; update files; respond to inquiries from clients' families and the general public.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of providing responsible client support services by performing duties similar to a Client Services Assistant I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade. 

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Basic daily living needs, including hygiene, exercise, entertainment, food, clothing and shelter, of all age groups from infants to geriatrics.
• Routine and basic health and safety practices.
• Standard and accepted English spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Standard and accepted principles and practices of work safety.
• Principles of assigned clients' special needs and circumstances including child growth and development, adolescent needs and problems, and general symptoms and treatment of mentally ill persons.
• Policies and procedures relative to area of assignment.
• Multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. 
Standard and accepted crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques to include appropriate management of assaultive behaviors. 
Basic psychiatric terminology.

Ability to:

• Learn to work effectively with special needs clients including children, adolescents, and/or the mentally ill.
• Understand and carry out a variety of both oral and written instructions.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules; intermittently review work papers and log entries; identify and problem solve situations involving clients' needs and circumstances; identify safety hazards for assigned clients; locate equipment and supplies; interpret work orders; remember clients' names and verbal instructions; understand and explain Department's and assigned program's policies and procedures to clients, staff, families and the general public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel or twist while observing, restraining, bathing/dressing, and interacting with clients as well as in the performance of housekeeping tasks.  See and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and be aware of clients at all times; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; and lift very heavy weight.
• Relate positively to clients and establish trust and rapport.
• Work cooperatively as part of a team providing services and treatment to special need clients.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Respond to emergency situations in an effective, timely and calm manner.
• Obtain relevant information through interviews and observations; work effectively with constant or sporadic interruptions.
• Analyze situations in a timely and objective manner; determine and initiate the proper course of action within established guidelines and parameters.
• Perform routine clerical tasks including mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Operate routine office and housekeeping equipment as well as designated recreational, play, and athletic equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Communicate effectively and tactfully in both oral and written forms.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Work with, teach and counsel assigned clients on a group and individual basis in a group living environment.
• Assess situations involving clients with special needs and respond in a timely and effective manner utilizing a variety of appropriate interventions.
• Plan, organize, and oversee group activities and work assignments in a timely and effective manner.
• Prepare thorough documentation and maintain accurate and systematic records.

Written Examination (50%)

The online examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of July 11, 2022.

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

Training & Experience Rating (50%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

• Week of June 27, 2022 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• Week of June 27, 2022 - Training and Experience Rating
• Week of July 11, 2022 - On-line Examination
• Week of July 18, 2022 - Establish Eligible List

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Madeline Durham, Administrative Technician, at MDurham@placer.ca.gov @placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.