Early Care and Education Case Worker

General Description

Priority Consideration Date: October 5, 2025

Applications received by this date will receive primary consideration. Applications submitted after October 5 may still be reviewed; however, review will depend on the volume of applications received and the needs of the recruitment.

Our ideal candidate

You are a dependable, punctual, caring professional with well-developed communication skills who uses tact, patience, and courtesy in a culturally sensitive manner. You can prioritize tasks and are motivated to complete work with accuracy, by established deadlines. You are a continuous learner with the flexibility to adapt to evolving program guidelines and work methods. You are committed to providing the best service available to program participants and service providers.

General description

Under general supervision, determines families' eligibility for subsidized child care programs and other Early Care and Education programs offered through the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Enrolls and registers eligible children and families and provides a wide range of services and support to program participants. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Determines level of need, family income, and eligibility for subsidies; enrolls children and families into the program.

Assists families in completing enrollment applications; may complete applications or prepare other required documentation on behalf of applicants with limited literacy; reviews documentation for accuracy and contacts families to correct discrepancies.

Applies family fees according to income level, family size and other needs; all according to fee schedules established by the California departments of Social Services or Education.

Provides comprehensive support to families by making referrals to other subsidies, services, and support for which they may be eligible; serves as a family advocate.

Advises families on program requirements, procedures and obligations for subsidized child care on a sustained basis.

Partners with other agencies to maintain up-to-date client file data such as employment, medical, and other information.

Serves as point-of-contact for parents to arrange and track their participation in child care activities and verify participation that complies with program obligations.

Assists with periodic program evaluations by participating in internal audits of case load files, contracted providers, and eligibility compliance.

Prepares communications with families including those for terminating services.

Represents SBCEO during community outreach events to promote services for families.

Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Requirements

Education: Possession of a high school diploma is required. Completion of 12 semester units of college coursework in business, public, or non-profit administration; social sciences, human services, or related field is preferred.

Experience: Two years of clerical or direct service experience in human or social services.

Knowledge of:

Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

Telephone and email etiquette

Record-keeping practices

Standard office productivity software applications

Arithmetic, including percentages and fractions

Ability to:

Learn and apply regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures relating to program eligibility, enrollment, and compliance

Learn the functions, operations, policies, practices, and objectives of the County Education Office

Understand and follow oral and written directions

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Organize work and set priorities

Work with speed and accuracy

Identify errors and discrepancies in order to pursue correction and resolution

Review information and make appropriate decisions, within limits of authority

Make accurate arithmetical computations

Attain proficiency in software programs and databases used by program

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Work independently and as part of a team

Meet schedules and deadlines

Maintain confidentiality of files and other sensitive material

Represent SBCEO effectively with external parties, such as parents, service providers, and vendors

Physical Abilities

Incumbent must be able to function effectively indoors in an office environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary nature. Requires the ability to sit at a workstation for extended periods of time and to stand upright and forward flexing, for intermittent periods of time. Requires the ability to interact with parents. Requires near visual acuity to write and read written materials and computer screens. Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability for ordinary and telephone conversations. Requires sufficient hand-eye and finger dexterity to write, use a keyboard and mouse or other pointing device.

Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid California driver's license and insurance coverage as required by law.

Working Conditions

An employee in this classification generally works in an office environment with other people. Work is usually performed indoors. Noise levels are typically low or moderate. Interruptions may be frequent.

This classification is considered generally sedentary. Most work is performed while sitting at a desk and usually involves extensive use of computers, telephones, and other office equipment. Strenuous physical activity - such as repetitive lifting and carrying of heavy objects, crawling, or stooping - is not generally associated with this classification. The incumbent is not typically exposed to significant safety hazards.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be offered. Occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 20 lbs. Supplemental Information

Classified salary ranges have 26 steps (A-Z). Initial salary placement for new hires is between steps A and J, based on qualifications.

Click here for anOverview of Our Application & Selection Process.

RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

* All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process for the position.

* The examination process may include one or more of the following: written, oral, and performance examination.

* Candidates must pass all parts of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list. Final score will determine the candidate's rank on the eligibility list.

* A candidate in the top three ranks (including tie scores) on the eligibility list may be considered for hire; when there are multiple vacancies in the same job classification, additional ranks will be considered.

* This recruitment is Dual Certification, meaning itis open to all applicants, including current SBCEO employees and those from the general public. Dual certification results in one integrated eligibility list based on rank.

*Eligibility lists are generally valid for six months; promotional eligibility lists are valid for one year. Lists may be exhausted prior to the original expiration date, or they may be extended with the approval of the Personnel Commission.

*If you require an accommodation for any step of the application and selection process, please notify Human Resources by the application deadline date (or as soon as possible for an open continuous recruitment).

* Veterans' Preference Points: This recruitment is eligible for veterans' preference points for qualifying veterans.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

For purposes of this policy, employees include job applicants, interns, volunteers, and persons who contracted with SBCEO to provide services, as applicable.

No SBCEO employee shall be discriminated against or harassed by any coworker, supervisor, manager, or other person with whom the employee comes in contact in the course of employment, on the basis of the employee's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, religious creed, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

SBCEO prohibits discrimination against employees on the basis of reproductive health decision making, defined as a person's decision to use or access a particular drug, device, product, or medical service for reproductive health.

SBCEO does not discriminate against employees on the basis of immigration status, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that SBCEO is required to do so in order to comply with federal immigration law.