A Community Program Assistant informs, assists, organizes and counsels members of the community on a variety of programs and services in the areas of social services, senior services, education, training, youth development, employment and counseling; networks with the public, local businesses and other public agencies to support and augment community based programs; prepares reports; may make presentations to the Mayor, City Council and City Departments; and performs other related work.

1.       Graduation from a recognized four year college or university and one year of full-time paid experience coordinating, developing and implementing community organizing events, social services, senior services, community services, counseling, job training and employment programs, youth development, child development, gang prevention or education programs; or

2.       Five years of full-time paid experience coordinating, developing and implementing community organizing events, social services, senior services, community services, counseling, job training and employment programs, youth development, child development, gang prevention or education programs.

3.    In addition to the regular City application form, each applicant is required to submit the Application Supplement for Community Program Assistant at the time of filing.  Candidates who fail to submit both the application form and the Supplement within the time required will not be considered candidates in this examination and their application will not be processed.  11/14/2008

Candidates lacking six months or less of the required experience may file for this examination.  However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION

In accordance with Charter Section 1010 (b) and Civil Service Rule 5.31, selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training in one or more of the following areas.  Only persons possessing the following at the time of filing may be considered for appointment to fill such positions.

1.       Some positions may require the ability to speak or write a language other than English. If you have the ability to speak or write a language other than English, indicate this language in the Language Proficiency box on the application. Proficiency in Spanish is especially desired.

Examination Weight:  Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an interview in which candidates will be evaluated on their background, experience, training and personal qualifications as they relate to knowledge of:  social and human services programs and providers available in areas such as senior services, youth development, education, job training and employment, and counseling; methods and practices used in developing and sustaining human service programs; methods and techniques for disseminating program information to the public; computer applications; the ability to:  interact well with others in varying age groups and social and economic backgrounds; obtain cooperation and participation of the public, private agencies, and other organizations and institutions; communicate orally sufficiently to secure information from program participants, convey information on services that are available, and to make presentations before groups; and other necessary knowledge and abilities.

Candidates will be notified later by mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which will be held in Los Angeles.  It is anticipated that the interviews will begin during the period of JANUARY 5, 2009 through JANUARY 16, 2009.

NOTES:

1.     Some positions may require a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment.  Applicants will be disqualified and not eligible for hire if within the past 36 months they were convicted of a major moving violation, such as driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and may be disqualified if there are three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months.

2      As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.

3.     Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met.  Candidates may be disqualified at any time it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

4.     A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.

01/10/02

Summary of Duties: A Community Program Assistant informs, assists and counsels members of the community on a variety of programs and services in the areas of social services, education, training, youth development, employment and counseling; networks with the public, local businesses and other public agencies to support and augment community based programs; and performs other related work.

Distinguishing Features: A Community Program Assistant is a staff position assigned to a Community Based Service Center, or a staff liaison position assigned to network with community groups and community based organizations. This class differs from the class of Community Program Director in that the latter is normally in charge of one or more Youth and Family Centers, or supervises a small staff involved in developing and implementing community based programs. This class also differs from Community Services Representative in that the latter class performs sub-professional work in publicizing and promoting a City department’s programs or services.

Example of Duties: A Community Program Assistant:

?? interviews clients in order to identify their needs in areas of social services, education, training, employment and counseling,

?? determines which available resources are most appropriate for the identified client’s needs;

?? refers client to appropriate service provider;

?? develops and maintains a resource directory of service providers;

?? compiles data relating to type, quality and nature of client’s needs;

?? prepares narrative, statistical and referral reports on a variety of subjects;

?? assists in conducting civic education workshops, and vocational and educational counseling workshops;

?? prepares and disseminates flyers or other promotional or informational material;

?? assists in developing and implementing strategies to create a network of locally focused groups to enhance, create, support and augment programs for children, youth and their families;

?? contributes to the development of community and citywide action plans to meet the needs and improve the neighborhood support;

?? represents the department at meetings;

?? provides information on current research, legislative and community initiatives for youth;

?? identifies opportunities for collaborative efforts and public outreach;

?? may supervise or act as a lead over program staff.

May occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.

Qualifications: It is desirable that the Community Program Assistant have the following knowledge and abilities:

Knowledge of:

?? social services programs and providers available in areas such as youth services, education, job training and employment, and counseling;

?? methods and practices used in developing and sustaining human services programs;

?? methods and techniques for disseminating program information to the public.

Ability to:

?? interact well with others in varying age groups, and social and economic backgrounds;

?? obtain cooperation and participation of the public, private agencies, and other organizations and institutions;

?? write clear and concise reports, memorandums, letters and other written materials;

?? use arithmetic for basic record keeping purposes and to maintain statistical information;

?? communicate orally sufficiently to secure information from program participants, convey information on services that are available, and to make presentations before groups;

?? accurately keep records such as resource directory, client files and pertinent information;

?? review, interpret, summarize, and make recommendations on legislation relating to social services and youth development issues.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depend, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability, and the ability of the hiring department to reasonably accommodate the limitations.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Graduation from a recognized four year college or university; or

2. Four years of full-time paid experience performing work related to social services, community services, counseling, job training and employment programs, youth programs, child development, gang prevention or education.

License:  A valid California driver’s license may be required for some positions in this class.

As provided in Civil Service Commission Rule 2.5 and Section 4.55 of the Administrative Code, this specification is descriptive, explanatory and not restrictive. It is not intended to declare what all of the duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications of any position shall be.