Human Services Assistant; Special Skills Classes

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

9/2/2026, 9/16/2026, 10/14/2026 (Final)

Under close supervision, the Human Services Assistant performs program support duties such as obtaining information, providing forms, and identifying program services, requirements, or procedures to augment communications between department staff and disadvantaged or low‑income individuals and groups.

The eligible list established from this examination may be used to fill Human Services Assistant vacancies in multiple departments. Current vacancies require proficiency in the following language and cultural competencies:

• Farsi Language and Persian Culture (including Dari and Pashto)
• Lao Language and Culture
• Russian Language and Culture
• Spanish Language and Latin Culture

Candidates who believe they meet the language and cultural qualifications for any of these positions and wish to be considered must provide the appropriate responses to Supplemental Questions 13 through 17.

• The problems, needs, attitudes and behavior patterns of individuals lacking the necessary resources and/or education to reach self‑sufficiency
• Various characteristics or problems unique to multi‑cultural groups in employment, education, health, economics and social customs and the current social movements involving multi‑cultural groups
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public assistance applicants and recipients, employees, and the department staff, other agencies, and the general public
• Understand and accept differences in human behavior caused by deprivation
• Willingness to accept and benefit from training
• Learn to use a variety of office equipment, such as computers, scanners, copiers, faxes, and related equipment

Six months of full‑time, paid experience in a public, private, or non‑profit agency providing social services or financial assistance to the public.

Part‑time experience is converted to full‑time on the basis of 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full‑time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part‑time paid experience may be accumulated and pro‑rated to meet the total experience requirements.

The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist.

For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process.

In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement…