Farmworker Resource Center Business Specialist I/II

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

• Department Business Specialist I is the entry-level and may lead but would not typically supervise staff.
• Department Business Specialist II is the journey level and may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over other professional staff. Incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable in department business processes and at least one of the following: critical program regulations; governmental fiscal record keeping - including budget, contract, and grant preparation and monitoring; or automated systems.

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local farms, agricultural businesses, and farmworker organizations.
• Act as a point of contact for businesses seeking to hire farmworkers and for workers seeking employment.
• Communicate the needs and concerns of farm workers to agricultural businesses.
• Provide information to farmworkers about available job opportunities, training programs, and resources.
• Collaborate with local agencies and organizations to provide support services, such as legal assistance and training programs.
• Assist in creating and implementing programs that support workforce development, including training and skill enhancement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and suggest improvements based on feedback from workers and businesses.
• Stay informed about changes in labor laws and regulations affecting farm workers and businesses.
• Maintain accurate records of communication with businesses and farmworkers.
• Collect and analyze data to report job placement success, worker satisfaction, and business needs.
• Collaborate with employers to conduct monthly outreach and attend, as needed, community industry meetings to discuss ongoing and emerging needs and the delivery of services and referrals.
• Coordinate the maintenance of the FWRC website.
• Assist in coordinating resource fair events around Santa Barbara County in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and other organizations.

• Extensive experience performing business engagement.
• Experience providing services to Limited English Proficiency and non-English speaking individuals, including noncitizen farmworkers.
• Supervisory or lead experience.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Dependability and follow-through to meet deadlines.
• Good judgment under pressure, tact, and diplomacy.
• Flexibility, open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, and unexpected obstacles, and effectively deals with ambiguity.
• Strong analytical, organizational, oral/written communication skills.
• Background in the development of presentations, tools, and training materials for a wide variety of audiences.
• Excellent teamwork and influence - ability to work with staff and management to facilitate process improvement and problem-solving.
• Strong background in analysis and report writing for a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to develop and conduct professional presentations appropriate for various audiences.
• Ability to work with staff on process improvement and problem-solving.
• Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines.
• Results-oriented approach in identifying and implementing improvements/innovations necessary for successful service delivery.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to speak Spanish is a must, and a Mexican indigenous language (such as Mixteco, Nahuatl, Purepecha, etc.) is highly desirable.

1. Researches and analyzes rules, regulations, legislation, and procedures to determine their impact on departmental processes, reporting, and fiscal requirements; develops and recommends policies and procedures; and identifies and validates business process requirements, critical success factors, and fiscal, technological, and environmental constraints and assumptions.
2. Develops written procedures to implement adopted policy or to clarify and describe standard practices; coordinates the development or revision of policies and procedures to support new processes and systems, reduce costs, enhance revenue, and maximize service levels; evaluates organizational impact of changes; prepares response strategies; designs and improves forms; and coordinates publication and dissemination of such material.
3. Serves as liaison with clients and representatives of private businesses, state and/or federal agencies, and other County departments to coordinate special projects and to provide specified administrative services such as budget reports generated from automated financial systems or contracts for services based on an analysis of program needs and available funding; represents the department in the development of, or change in, programs and regulations; and gathers information for use in assigned studies or management decisions.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with local farmers, agricultural businesses, and community organizations to facilitate job placements and support services. Organize regular meetings or events to connect farm workers with potential employers.
5. Assist farmworkers in finding suitable job opportunities through outreach efforts and job fairs. Match workers' skills and preferences with the needs of agricultural businesses.
6. Coordinate and promote training workshops for farmworkers to enhance their skills and employability. Identify gaps in training and advocate for additional resources or programs to meet those needs.
7. Collaborate with FWRC to provide farmworkers with information about employment, training, and available support services (e.g., housing, healthcare). Create and distribute informational materials that educate both workers and employers.
8. Gather data on job placements, worker satisfaction, and employer needs to assess the effectiveness of programs and services. Prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders on the outcomes and impacts of initiatives.
9. Conduct outreach campaigns to inform farm workers about available job opportunities and support services. Collaborate with government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations to align resources and services for farmworkers. Seek partnerships that can provide additional support, such as legal aid or health services.
10. Collect feedback from farm workers and employers to continuously improve services and programs.
11. Stay updated on industry trends and changes in labor laws that may affect farm workers and businesses.

1. Possession of a bachelor's degree in business administration or in a specific area of study related to assignment, such as public administration, sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, vocational guidance, or other field related to the provision of employment services, OR,
2. Possession of an associate's degree in business administration or a specific area of study related to assignment, such as public administration, sociology, counseling, social work, psychology, vocational guidance, or other field related to the provision of employment services AND two years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; (CalJobs, Smartsheets); OR,
3. Four years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) program business systems used by the hiring department; (CalJobs, Smartsheets); OR,
4. A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required competencies.

Note: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.

COMPETENCIES: To see the job classification for competencies, go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty/classspecs/110481?keywords=departmental&pagetype=classSpecifications

Additional Information:

• Independent travel throughout the county and state will be required. Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License will be required at the time of appointment.
• Fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code may be required for some positions.
• Current technical or professional knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven qualified candidates.