Job Details

Employment/Resource Specialist I

Do you enjoy helping in our community? Interested in assisting others with access to basic needs such as food, shelter, or healthcare? Check out the position described below!

Employment/Resource Specialist I (ERS), similar to Eligibility Worker in other counties, is part of a career series for Employment/Resource Specialist I, II and III. Employees in this series work with individuals and families who need help with basic needs such as food, shelter, and health insurance coverage by determining eligibility for local, state, and federal programs including CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Assistance, and Foster Care payments; make referrals to community resources; work closely with other classifications who handle Welfare-to-Work programs; and perform other related duties as required. Employment/Resource Specialist I is the entry level position of this series. For this cohort the first fourteen to eighteen weeks are a combination of classroom training and office experience, receiving close supervision in a training and team environment. The ERS I classification has a 1-year probation period. As an ERS you would learn organizational procedures, eligibility rules, and use of computer systems. ERSs are expected to demonstrate the ability to promote to Employment/Resource Specialist II after successful completion of twelve months of experience. Employees are offered a broad range of training opportunities to grow their knowledge, skills, and career paths. Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates may be eligible for additional compensation.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has the ability to:

• Interact with people in a compassionate and empathetic manner
• Establish rapport, build, and maintain professional and cooperative working relationships with agency staff, community partners, and the public we serve
• Communicate with others from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; speak and write effectively
• Understand and follow complex rules, regulations, policies and interpret them for program participants
• Develop interviewing skills
• Achieve proficiency in various computer systems used by the department
• Make accurate mathematic computations
• Perform a high volume of work amid interruptions, work under the pressure of deadlines
• Demonstrate solid caseload and time management skills
• Operate within appropriate confidentiality guidelines
• Handle constant change in a productive and strengths-based manner

Education and Experience: A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes: All levels: Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate. In addition to the above: EITHER A: Two years' experience performing clerical duties; OR B: Equivalent to completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter units); OR C: One year of experience of performing clerical duties and one year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter units).

How to Apply

Click the Apply link at the top of this page to apply online. Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

* Please note those who meet minimum qualifications for this specific recruitment will be invited to the first round of interviews for this position. The department anticipates holding interviews the week of August 11, 2026, through August 13, 2026*

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us.

For more information about the County of San Luis Obispo, please visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov/.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information. Veteran's Preference Points If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points.

Equal Employment Opportunity The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

Make a Difference Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.

Compensation and Benefits Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us. For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage.

Some benefits include:

• Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
• Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
• Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
• Free visits to the employee health clinic
• Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
• Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
• A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
• Optional deferred compensation plan
• Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Paid personal, sick and vacation days
• 12 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education and Wellness Allowance
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Family Friendly workplace policies
• Flexible work schedule options
• Rideshare commuter benefits
• Pet Insurance

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates: The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465. Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions: The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent