Human Services Assistant (with Special Skills Classes)

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Salary : $45,309.60 – $55,102.32 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: 28404-B
Department: County Wide
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 10/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

9/2/2026, 9/16/2026, 10/14/2026 (Final)

Under close supervision, the Human Services Assistant performs program support duties such as obtaining information, providing forms, and identifying program services, requirements, or procedures to augment communications between department staff and disadvantaged or low-income individuals and groups.
The eligible list established from this examination may be used to fill Human Services Assistant vacancies in multiple departments. Current vacancies require proficiency in the following language and cultural competencies:
• Farsi Language and Persian Culture (including Dari and Pashto)
• Lao Language and Culture
• Russian Language and Culture
• Spanish Language and Latin Culture

Candidates who believe they meet the language and cultural qualifications for any of these positions and wish to be considered must provide the appropriate responses to Supplemental Questions 13 through 17.
Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• The problems, needs, attitudes and behavior patterns of individuals lacking the necessary resources and/or education to reach self-sufficiency
• Various characteristics or problems unique to multi-cultural groups in employment, education, health, economics and social customs and the current social movements involving multi-cultural groups
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public assistance applicants and recipients, employees, and the department staff, other agencies, and the general public
• Understand and accept differences in human behavior caused by deprivation
• Willingness to accept and benefit from training
• Learn to use a variety of office equipment, such as computers, scanners, copiers, faxes, and related equipment

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Six months of full-time, paid experience in a public, private, or non-profit agency providing social services or financial assistance to the public.

Note: Part-time experience is converted to full-time on the basis of 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General QualificationsBackground/Criminal History: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

Driver’s License: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Child and Elder Abuse Reporting: Persons selected for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code and Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to child and elder abuse reporting.

Working Conditions: Some positions in this class may require the incumbent to:

• Be exposed to hostile, emotionally disturbed or mentally ill persons and/or confrontational interpersonal situations.
• Work in dangerous, high crime areas of the community.
• Work during non-routine hours, standby and/or callback.
• Work in and around substandard living areas with exposure to common communicable diseases, scabies, impetigo and other rashes.
• Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement, very hot and/or cold weather.

Special Skills Language Requirement: Special skills classes require sufficient knowledge to speak, read and write fluently a language other than standard English; and/or knowledge of a multi-cultural group encompassing but not limited to: family member roles and living environments; the various characteristics or problems unique to the group in employment, education, health, economics and social customs; and current social movements involving the group. Incumbents use the specific language and multi-cultural knowledge in the performance of typical duties, incorporating this knowledge to appropriately serve clients and families in a manner that is culturally competent and affirming. In addition, incumbents translate and interpret using standard English and a language other than standard English, and act as a consultant to others regarding the specific multi-cultural group.

Human Services Assistant – African American Culture
Human Services Assistant – Arabic Language and Middle Eastern Culture
Human Services Assistant – Armenian Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Cambodian Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Chinese Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Farsi Language and Persian Culture (Dari and Pashto)
Human Services Assistant – Hmong Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Japanese Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Korean Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Lao Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Mien Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Native American Culture
Human Services Assistant – Punjabi Language and East Indian Culture
Human Services Assistant – Russian Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Spanish Language and Latin Culture
Human Services Assistant – Tagalog Language and Filipino Culture
Human Services Assistant – Ukrainian Language and Culture
Human Services Assistant – Vietnamese Language and Culture

Probationary Period
The probationary period for this classification issix (6) months.
Application and Testing Information
APPLICATION
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply.
County of Sacramento

Department of Personnel Services

Employment Services Division

700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

Email EmployOffice@Saccounty.net

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant’s computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
• Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked “Supplemental Questions”. Please be descriptive in your response.
Note: Responses of “See Resume” or “See Application”, or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.

• Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant’s computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate’s experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write “no experience” for the appropriate question.
• For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate’s application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate’s responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.

FORMULA RATE EXAMINATION (Weighted 100%)
All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination.
This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidate’s education, training and experience. The candidate’s application or other materials will not be included in this examination. Therefore, the candidate’s responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough, detailed and complete. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.
All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Notices can also be accessed in their governmentjobs.com inbox. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
For information regarding County jobs:
Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit:
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees’ current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)
• Deferred Compensation

More information can be found on the

TEMPORARY POSITIONS:
Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions.

VACATION:
Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days.

HOLIDAYS:
14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

SICK LEAVE:
Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT:
Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement.

RETIREMENT:
The County’s defined-benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website,

DENTAL INSURANCE:
For more information, visit the

LIFE INSURANCE:
The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.

For more information, visit the

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:
A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

More information can be found on the
WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT:
The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.

DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:
Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:
The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION:
In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers’ Compensation laws of California.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE:
Military veterans who have served during wartime shall be given preference in initial appointment to County service. Such preference shall apply, provided the veteran has first achieved a minimum passing score in the examination. The passing score of a veteran shall be annotated to indicate the veteran’s score shall be regarded as 5 points or higher, OR 10 points higher for disabled veterans, only for the purpose of determining the three ranks along with which the veteran’s name shall be certified. No score shall actually be changed and no new rank shall be created as a result of application of veteran’s preference for certification purposes.

“Disabled Veteran” means any veteran who has served during wartime and, who, as of the final filing date for an examination is declared by the United States Veterans Administration or military service department to be 10% or more disabled as a result of his/her military service. Persons claiming eligibility for disabled veteran’s preference must submit to the employment office, on or before the application deadline date, a certification from the United States Veterans Administration or a military service department, dated within 1 year, which certifies the present existence of a service related disability of 10% or more, or other acceptable proof of such disability as a result of his/her military service.
Persons claiming eligibility for veterans preference must submit a copy of Form DD 214 or other acceptable proof of veteran’s status on or before the final filing date for the examination. For purpose of this rule “reserve” status does not constitute active duty.

SPECIAL SKILL QUALIFICATIONS (WHEN SPECIFIED ON THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT):
Persons who have special skills required by some (but not all) positions in a class may be certified ahead of others provided that:
Such special skills are based on the duties and requirements of the positions and are in conformance with merit system and equal opportunity principles, and
The certification of eligibles who possess special skills have been approved by the Civil Service Commission.
01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is the Civil Service Exam for this position and will be used to determine your exam score. All experience, education, and/or training used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on your application.
In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Each answer will be scored separately. References such as ‘See Resume’ as a response will not be scored.
By continuing in the exam process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge.

• I have read and understood the above instructions.

02

Select the one box that best describes your full-time paid experience in a public, private or non-profit agency providing social services or financial assistance to the public.

• None.
• Less than six (6) months full time paid experience.
• Six (6) months but less than one (1) year full time paid experience.
• One (1) year but less than three (3) years full time paid experience.
• Three (3) or more years full time paid experience.

03

NOTE: If you meet the minimum qualifications (via the information you provided on your application and requested documentation), your exam score (based on your supplemental questionnaire responses) places you within the reachable ranks on the resulting eligible list and you are invited to interview; you will be asked to expand on, clarify, and/or provide examples to support your responses on this exam (supplemental questionnaire).

• I have read and understood the above instructions.

04

Select the one box that best describes your highest level of education.

• Have not received a high school diploma or equivalent.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Some completed coursework but less than sixty (60) semester units from an accredited college or university.
• Sixty (60) or more semester units, or an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Sixty (60) or more semester units, or an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited college or university which includes units in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling or related field from an accredited college or university.

05

Using your selection in the question above, list your education as well as the institution(s) attended. Also include any relevant trainings, courses, and/or continuing education you have completed.
If you have no applicable education, courses, or trainings, please write “None”.

06

Select all the boxes that describe duties you have performed in a public, private or non-profit agency providing social services or financial assistance to the public.

• None.
• Assisting customers with applications who are having a difficult time in approaching the agency and are reluctant to apply for social services benefits.
• Translating or reading and explaining forms for customers.
• Assisting in explaining rules and regulations and giving overviews of social services benefits programs to applicants and recipients.
• Multi-tasking while performing different job functions and/or duties.
• Performing supportive services at intake to assist professional and technical staff in obtaining necessary information, improving communications with customers, providing appropriate forms, and assisting in the completion of required documents.
• Assisting agency staff with duties that require an understanding of cultural differences and problems in disadvantaged communities.
• Updating service directories and/or keeping resources current.

07

Select all the boxes that best describe where your customer service experience was obtained. This experience must have been paid, intern, and/or volunteer in a working environment. If you have no applicable experience, please select “None”.

• None.
• Business/Government Office.
• Call Center.
• Retail/Food Service/Delivery.
• Social Services Organization/Community Based Organization.
• Medical/Dental/Hospital Office.
• Other.

08

If you marked “Other” in question #7, please list where your customer service experience was obtained.
If you did not select “Other”, please write “None”.

09

Select all the boxes that best describe the software in which you are proficient. You may be required to demonstrate your proficiency during the interview process.

• None.
• Microsoft Outlook.
• Microsoft Word or similar program.
• Microsoft Excel or similar program.
• Database (e.g. MEDS, CalSAWS (CalWIN), CMIPS, LIMS).
• Electronic Health Records (e.g. OCHIN/EPIC).

10

Select the one box that best identifies your proficiency using Microsoft Word. You may be required to demonstrate your proficiency during the interview process.

• None.
• Basic: Opening, creating, and saving simple documents; using form letters/templates (not creating); cutting and pasting; etc.
• Intermediate: Creating form letter templates; creating and using styles; cutting and pasting from unlike data sources; mail merge; creating columns; etc.
• Advanced: Creating multiple section breaks with different page numbers; creating automatic table of contents; linking multiple documents; creating tables; embedding images and objects; etc.

11

Select the one box that best identifies your proficiency using Microsoft Excel. You may be required to demonstrate your proficiency during the interview process.

• None.
• Basic: Data entry; inputting data to create simple reports; using and creating simple formulas; etc.
• Intermediate: Using complex formulas; creating spreadsheets/worksheets; etc.
• Advanced: Creating complex formulas; creating complex spreadsheets; extracting data from multiple sources and worksheets; creating charts and graphs; linking spreadsheets; etc.

12

Some positions in this class are on-call. On-call employees may work up to 1560 hours per calendar year and typically work a set schedule. Accepting an on-call position does not negatively affect one’s opportunity for a permanent position when available. Are you willing to work as an on-call employee?

• Yes.
• No.

13

Select the one box that best represents the number of languages (other than English) you have the ability to fluently and effectively communicate.

• None.
• One language.
• Two languages.
• Three languages or more.

14

Do you have the ability to fluently and effectively communicate (speak, read, and/or write) in one or more of the languages listed below and want to be considered for a position using those skills? Check all box(es) that apply.

• No.
• Arabic Language.
• Armenian Language.
• Burmese Language.
• Cambodian Language.
• Chinese Language.
• Farsi Language (Dari and Pashto).
• Hmong Language.
• Japanese Language.
• Korean Language.
• Lao Language.
• Mien Language.
• Punjabi Language.
• Russian Language.
• Spanish Language.
• Tagalog Language.
• Ukrainian Language.
• Vietnamese Language.

15

Do you have overall knowledge of one or more of these cultures, its community resources and an understanding of the social, economic and educational problems/issues generally experienced by members of these communities and want to be considered for a position using those skills? Check all box(es) that apply.

• No.
• African American Culture.
• Armenian Culture.
• Burmese Culture.
• Cambodian Culture.
• Chinese Culture.
• Persian Culture.
• Hmong Culture.
• Japanese Culture.
• Korean Culture.
• Lao Culture.
• Middle Eastern Culture.
• Mien Culture.
• Native American Culture.
• East Indian Culture.
• Russian Culture.
• Latin Culture.
• Filipino Culture.
• Ukrainian Culture.
• Vietnamese Culture.

16

If you want to be considered for a position using a language and/or culture skill, and have not already been tested, you may be tested for such a skill at a future date. This testing would assess items such as knowledge of customs, tradition, culture and history, ability to communicate effectively, familiarity with colloquialisms and dialects, and social, economic, and educational issues related to the culture.
Do you want to be certified for having skills in a language other than English or knowledge of another culture? Check the appropriate option.

• Yes.
• No.
• I am already certified by the County of Sacramento.

17

If you checked that you are already certified by the County of Sacramento, type the language(s) and culture(s) you are certified in and the approximate date(s) that you were tested. Information given will be subject to verification. If you did not select that you have already been certified, please type “N/A”.
18

I have read the General Requirements and Other Requirements as stated on the job announcement.

• Yes.

19

The County of Sacramento is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol free workplace. All persons selected for appointment must pass a drug test administered by the County and at no cost to the applicant.

I understand, if offered conditional employment, I will be subject to a drug test administered by the County as described in Sacramento County Personnel Ordinance Section 2.78.030.

• Yes.
• No.

20

Select the one box that best describes whether you have attended a career fair and/or job event where you have interacted with representatives from Sacramento County.

• Attended in the last one (1) – three (3) months.
• Attended in the last four (4) – six (6) months.
• Attended in the last seven (7) months – one (1) year.
• Attended an event more than one (1) year ago.
• Have attended a career fair and/or job event but did not interact with Sacramento County representatives.
• Have not attended a career fair and/or job event.

21

List the following for the career fair and/or job event you attended:

• Name of event
• Location of event
• Month and year of event

If you have not attended an event where you interacted with representatives from Sacramento County, please type “None”.
Required Question