Communications Outreach Manager - Bilingual English/Spanish Requi...
County of Ventura - Ventura, California, us, 93006![County of Ventura](/api/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fgeneral-board-default.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdesk-360x180.webp&w=640&q=75&f=webp)
Work at County of Ventura
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Overview
Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.WHAT WE OFFERThe County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:A general salary increase
of 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.Merit Increases –
New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.Educational Incentive -
An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.Bilingual Incentive –
This position is eligible for bilingual incentive up to $1.32 per hour (Level III).Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule
– We support work-life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 or 4/10 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules for most positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.Annual Leave Accrual
– New regular, full-time employees in this classification will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service.Annual Leave Redemption
– An employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.Deferred Compensation
- Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.Health Plans
– Full-time employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans:
Tier 1 for Employee only - $502 per biweekly pay periodTier 2 for Employee plus one dependent - $730 per biweekly pay periodTier 3 for Employee plus family - $905 per biweekly pay period
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.Pension Plan
- Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.Holidays
- 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.Additional Benefits -
Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, and Wellness Program.
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 AGENCYThe Human Services Agency (HSA) is comprised of nearly 1600 staff members who serve approximately a third of Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. We are committed to delivering services in a manner that is inclusive, competent and respectful of each community's beliefs, practices and expressions. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and assist communities by bringing these values into the workforce.
To learn about the Human Services Agency, click “Who We Are” to view a short video.
THE POSITIONAs part of the HSA communications team, the Communications Outreach Manager will develop, conduct, and analyze outreach and engagement strategies to inform communication best practices. They will use digital, print and in-person communications to understand and optimize reach, share information, and build engagement with HSA clients and employees. They will help to build and support inter-department collaboration. This position will include a focus on Spanish-speaking and under-served populations and will manage translation of HSA communication materials.
Through an ongoing process of culturally sensitive outreach, listening, department collaboration and data collection, this position will help the agency inform best practices for communication strategies to provide important and relevant information to clients served. This position will use its data-driven, community-informed perspective for the development of HSA campaigns, website and social media content, and special projects.
Additionally, they will liaison with the newly formed Community Access and Engagement (CAE) department to bring a strategic communications lens to key CAE programs and processes and support linkages between departments to expand reach.
As the primary translator for HSA communications, they will also help to ensure that Spanish and Indigenous language outreach materials are culturally appropriate, technically correct and in-line with HSA style and accessibility guidelines.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATEThe ideal candidate is a flexible team player that brings innovation and creativity to the role. They have exceptional writing, research, and interpersonal skills in both English and Spanish, and an understanding of strategic communication principles. They can create bilingual outreach materials, work with data to identify trends and preferences, and build linkages between departments. In addition to being comfortable engaging directly with community members in English and Spanish, the ideal candidate has experience working with under-served communities in Ventura County, an understanding of local demographics, and applies the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion to their work.
PAYROLL TITLE : HSA Senior Administrative SpecialistHSA Senior Administrative Specialist is a Management classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB3 level.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULEOPENING DATE : July 19, 2024CLOSING DATE : Continuous until business needs are metAPPLICATION REVIEW AND BILINGUAL TESTING : Applications will be reviewed immediately and on a frequent, continuous basis; qualified applicants will immediately be scheduled to take a Spanish/English Bilingual Level III examination to confirm fluency before proceeding to the Oral/Practical examination.ORAL and/or PRACTICAL EXAM DATE : To be determinedDuties may include but are not limited to the following:
Analyze local information gaps and communication preferences in under-served communities, develop and implement recommendations.Act as point person for English-Spanish translation of communication materials.Write reports, briefs, articles and other outreach content.Maintain assigned web pages and ensure accessibility to non-English speakers.Work with HSA departments to optimize and align outreach.Participate in the community to gather information for key campaigns and special projects.Cross train as a member of the HSA communication team to support social media, graphics, web posting and HSA disaster communications.Post on social media platforms.Track and analyze primary and secondary data.Produce video, audio, and digital and print materials as needed.Perform other related duties as required.These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCEEducation and progressively responsible experience related to the specific assignment which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies of the specific assignment.
The required knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies are typically obtained by completion of a Bachelor's degree in Communication, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human/Social Services or closely related field and at least 5 years of responsible professional-level administrative, project management, or program administration experience which includes experience managing projects related to communication strategies involving community outreach and engagement.
Substitution: Additional years of related experience as described above may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Excellent written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.Must possess bilingual English/Spanish Level III proficiency. Level III bilingual proficiency requires an individual to have very strong bilingual oral and writing skills in the target bilingual language and an extensive vocabulary in both languages. Employees with this level of proficiency are expected to communicate fluently with native speakers in both languages.
DESIRED
Experience translating (English-Spanish) communication materials.Experience developing, conducting, and analyzing outreach and engagement strategies to inform communication best practices.Experience using digital, print, and in-person communications to share information, and build engagement.Experience working with under-served communities in Ventura County that demonstrates an understanding of local demographics, and applied principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.Experience developing data-driven, community-informed campaigns, website, and social media content.
Supplemental Information : Work is performed primarily in an office environment, but incumbent may be required to visit various offsite locations to meet with business and community leaders, staff of other agencies and organizations, and the public.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIESKnowledge of:Best practices in communications, including writing for the public, basic design principles, website editing, public speaking and social media management.An understanding of hard-to-reach communities in Ventura County and principles of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).Strong proficiency in written and spoken Spanish.Familiarity with qualitative data strategies, such as PhotoVoice, active listening and informal group facilitation.Strong skills in:Oral and written communication.Research and basic data collection.Critical thinking and problem-solving.Graphic creation tools, including: Adobe InDesign, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite.Presentation development.Social media management.Ability to:Work independently and as a team member in a collaborative, fast-paced and changing environment.Work comfortably in remote and in-person settings.Participate in indoor and outdoor events for extended periods.Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff, community members, vendors and other stakeholders.
COMPETENCIES
Adaptability & Flexibility - Responding positively to change and fluidly modifying behavior as the situation requires.Communication - Respectfully delivering pertinent, truthful, and timely information and comprehending information delivered by others.Professional Impact - Presenting oneself as a positive representation of the County, reflecting its mission, values, and guiding principles in all one does.Cross-Divisional Collaboration - Facilitating cooperation across organizational units to accomplish common goals.Engagement & Inclusion - Involving coworkers, teams, and outside partners for input, contribution, coordination, and shared responsibility.Information Gathering - Proactively obtaining facts and data needed to effectively answer questions, solve problems, or complete projects.Information Sharing - Proactively communicating facts and data in comprehensible forms to appropriate audiences.Oral Communication - Speaking to be understood and listening to understand.Reading Comprehension - Understanding, analyzing, and applying written information.Relationship Building - Developing and maintaining stable, mutually beneficial networks of cooperation among clients, coworkers, vendors, and other organizations.Writing - Using text to effectively communicate information.Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging - Embracing the County's commitment to valuing individuals with varied backgrounds, promoting equal access and opportunity for all, and empowering others in their unique strengths.Initiative & Creativity - Pursuing new and innovative ways to solve problems, improve processes and services, and advance the County's mission, values, and guiding principles.Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Analyzing and evaluating information, problems, and options with logic and good judgment.Attention to Detail - Accomplishing tasks thoroughly with concern for all elements involved, however small.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERSWhen 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).
FINAL FILING DATE:
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
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.
Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it 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 exam 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 and/or practical exam and writing exercise, 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.
SPANISH/ENGLISH BILINGUAL SKILLS EXAMINATION - PASS/FAIL:
Qualified candidates will be scheduled to take a standardized bilingual skills examination by an outside contractor to certify written and verbal bilingual proficiency. A score of 70% or higher must be obtained for the Bilingual Level III designation to be assigned. Attainment of Level III certification is required to be considered for this position.
ORAL EXAMINATION AND/OR RELATED WRITING EXERCISE– 100%:
A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. As part of the oral examination, candidates may be expected to translate spoken and written passages and/or demonstrate written communication skills in both languages. Written documents produced by candidates may also be discussed with the panel in the oral examination.
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral/practical examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of 70% will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list. Candidates successfully completing the examination 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 for
this position only
within the Human Services Agency. There is one (1) Regular vacancy.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION : A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe 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 INFORMATIONFor further information about this recruitment, please contact Patty Booker by email at patty.booker@ventura.org.
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