Community Services Specialist III
Apply NowCompany: City of Berkeley, CA
Location: Berkeley, CA 94704
Description:
Salary : $118,609.50 - $143,407.26 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-10-2078
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 03/17/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Community Services Specialist III, you will be responsible for leading a major City sponsored community organization and/or social service program. Working in either Planning and Development or Health, Housing and Community Services or Rent Board, you'll coordinate program management, administrative, and technical tasks to achieve project goals. Work may include overseeing community services development, managing staff, liaising with various groups, and handling budgets and reports.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in sociology or a related field and four (4) years experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation, or the development and delivery of community service programs, including at least two years of which have included management of complex projects. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.
Some positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. May be required to work evenings and weekends.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions.Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The examination process will include:
Application review for minimum qualifications and to ensure all materials have been submitted (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date of April 7, 2025) Oral Board Exam
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see ).
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
(PEU)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
02
Please indicate your major field of study.
03
Please indicate your years of full-time professional level experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation or development of community service programs .
04
Please indicate the areas in which you have previous work experience.
05
Please provide sufficient detail so that we can evaluate your experience for competitive review and assessment (you may copy and paste from a WORD document). DO NOT TYPE "SEE RESUME". In detail, describe your experience for all of the areas you indicated above.
06
List at least one complex project you managed. What was the scope of the project, and what was your role?
07
Please describe your experience supervising paid and non-paid staff.
08
I acknowledge that I have reviewed all my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy.
Required Question
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-10-2078
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 03/17/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Community Services Specialist III, you will be responsible for leading a major City sponsored community organization and/or social service program. Working in either Planning and Development or Health, Housing and Community Services or Rent Board, you'll coordinate program management, administrative, and technical tasks to achieve project goals. Work may include overseeing community services development, managing staff, liaising with various groups, and handling budgets and reports.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in sociology or a related field and four (4) years experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation, or the development and delivery of community service programs, including at least two years of which have included management of complex projects. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.
Some positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. May be required to work evenings and weekends.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions.Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The examination process will include:
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see ).
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
(PEU)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
- Some High School
- High School or Equivalent
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Higher
02
Please indicate your major field of study.
03
Please indicate your years of full-time professional level experience in community organization, program monitoring and evaluation or development of community service programs .
- Less than one year
- One year but less than two years
- Two years but less than three years
- Three years but less than four years
- Four years but less than five years
- Five years or more
04
Please indicate the areas in which you have previous work experience.
- Housing
- Mediation/Conflict Resolution
- Environmental Policy
- Community Outreach
- Marketing/Branding
- Fundraising
- Budget Development/Mgmt
- Public Speaking
- Project Management
- Economic Development
- Meeting Facilitation
- Needs Assessment
- Identifying/Fostering Org Partnerships
- Grant Writing/Management
- Working with Homeless
- Working with Youth
- Working with Persons with Disabilities
- Working with Seniors
- NONE OF THE ABOVE
05
Please provide sufficient detail so that we can evaluate your experience for competitive review and assessment (you may copy and paste from a WORD document). DO NOT TYPE "SEE RESUME". In detail, describe your experience for all of the areas you indicated above.
06
List at least one complex project you managed. What was the scope of the project, and what was your role?
07
Please describe your experience supervising paid and non-paid staff.
08
I acknowledge that I have reviewed all my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy.
- Yes
Required Question