Vocational Counselor at County of Shasta – 96007, California
About This Position
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Health & Human Services Agency - Economic Mobility
Opening Date: 01/09/2026
Closing Date: 01/23/26
Location: 96007, CA
Job Number: 1134_HHSA_EM_010926
Description:
THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
ECONOMIC MOBILITY BRANCH
ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2026
SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDING
POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE
RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED
FINAL FILING DATE: JANUARY 23, 2026 AT 12:00 PM
SALARY INFORMATION
$4,588.00 - $5,856.00 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $26.47 - $33.78 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
This position is in the UPEC General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements
ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY
Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with the community to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of Shasta County residents. HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, and a centralized Administration Services. HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill, and those without resources look to HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety.
The Economic Mobility Branch provides assistance and services to individuals and families in the community. Through multiple locations in Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake, Burney, and Enterprise, the branch provides initial and on-going eligibility determination services for public benefits such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Assistance and Healthcare Programs. The branch provides CalWORKs and CalFresh employment preparation and support services, breaking through barriers that may be hindering employment opportunities. We also have teams dedicated to administering homeless and housing services within the community, providing much needed help to our most vulnerable community members. Finally, the Economic Mobility Branch also provides referrals for individuals and families to other services within HHSA and for services provided by our community partners.
ABOUT THE POSITION
This class specification describes non-supervisory Vocational Counselors. This class is used in local social service agencies to provide professional vocational counseling and career preparation assessment for clients of public assistance programs. Incumbents develop employment plans and oversee the implementation of employment and training activities.
The incumbent will be providing mandated vocational counseling services to CalWORKs Employment Services clients including providing comprehensive assessments for clients’ job readiness and the development and implementation of individualized job plans.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have the following skills, abilities, and characteristics:
- Knowledge of the labor market in Shasta County as well as local resources for vocational training/skill development
- Awareness of community resources and agencies available for assistance in obtaining gainful employment
- Well-developed and effective interviewing skills
- Ability to assist clients in guided vocational exploration and goal development using various resources, including those which are web-based
- Ability to assist clients determine suitable employment goals consistent with their interests, aptitudes, physical/mental/emotional limitations, and other factors
- Formulate recommendations for future program activities based on client needs, program regulations, activity availability, and other factors
- Be organized and able to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Experienced working with economically disadvantaged individuals of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Excellent customer service skills and a desire to help others
- Personable, friendly, outgoing, and non-judgmental attitude
- Strong work ethic with the ability to follow through in a timely manner
- Attention to detail and accuracy in all work products
- Well-developed writing skills and at least intermediate proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work independently using good judgment and good time-management skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Responsibilities include comprehensive assessment of the client’s employment readiness, development of an employment plan, determination of the employment and training services needed to meet the goals of the employment plan; may be responsible for the administration and interpretation of all measurement instruments utilized in the assessment of a client’s educational and career needs; and may be responsible for directing and coordinating the provision of employment and training services provided by other staff.
QUALIFICATIONSAny combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:
Knowledge of: Employment preparation and training programs and goals of public social service agencies; interviewing techniques; career, vocational and employment counseling theories and techniques; principles and techniques in the development, administration and interpretation of standardized psychological and vocational tests; and hiring practices of public and private sector employers.
Ability to: Interview effectively in a variety of potentially stressful situations; identify and assess needs and barriers to employment; develop and implement appropriate employment and training plans; administer and interpret psychological and vocational tests; interpret, explain and apply complex laws and regulations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; identify and utilize community resources; and maintain a large caseload of employment program participants.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
EITHER
Completion of fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter college units in career planning, vocational guidance principles, personality development, occupational testing and measurement, and counseling preparation;
OR
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in behavioral science with emphasis in vocational guidance, employment counseling, career assessment or a closely related field. The college courses must have included fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter units in counseling development, occupational and industrial information, tests and measurements or other courses related to employment counselor preparation;
OR
Two (2) years of professional experience performing vocational guidance, employment counseling and placement services in a variety of occupational fields. This experience shall have included the responsibility for the purchase or rental of standardized psychological and vocational tests and the development of occupational plans and goals including the activities to be undertaken to achieve such goals.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.
- Have you successfully completed fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter college units in career planning, vocational guidance principles, personality development, occupational testing and measurement, and counseling preparation? Yes / No If “Yes,” please list the courses and number of college units per class. If “No,” type N/A.
- Do you possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in behavioral science with emphasis in vocational guidance, employment counseling, career assessment or a closely related field? Yes / No If “Yes,” please indicate the type of degree you received and the college you received it from. If “No,” type N/A.
- Have you successfully completed fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter units in counseling development, occupational and industrial information, tests and measurements, or other courses related to employment counselor preparation? Yes / No If “Yes,” please list the courses and number of college units per class. If “No,” type N/A.
- Do you possess two (2) years of professional experience performing vocational guidance, employment counseling and placement services in a variety of occupational fields? This experience shall have included the responsibility for the purchase or rental of standardized psychological and vocational tests and the development of occupational plans and goals including the activities to be undertaken to achieve such goals. Yes / No If “Yes,” please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If “No,” type N/A.
- I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes / No
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds. Specific visions abilities required by this job include close vision.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
- Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
- As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
- Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.
- Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit DOJ Right to Work Poster (Download PDF reader). If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.
- In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
- Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – General Unit.
- Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 9.5% of their pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at Shasta County Employee Benefits for additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.
Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12:00 p.m., on January 23, 2026.A resume and/or cover letter will be accepted in addition to the application but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as “Refer to resume and/or cover letter,” or “See attached resume and/or cover letter.” The application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.
Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.
Veterans' Credit:Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran must provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.
Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.
Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.
SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Shasta County Personnel
1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515Benefits:
NOTE: Various bargaining units may have benefits that alter from this general summary. This summary of benefits is not a binding document and is provided as a courtesy. Refer to labor agreements (MOUs) for specific benefit information.
THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES
Holidays:
- 12 paid holidays (96 hours) per year.
- 1 Floating holiday annually.
- 10 working days a year during the first three years of service.
- 15 working days a year - 4 through 9 years of service.
- 17 working days a year - 10 through 15 years of service.
- 20 working days a year - 16 or more years of service.
Note - accrued vacation leave may not be used until after three months of employment. For purposes of vacation accrual, a working day is no more than 8 hours.
Employees may elect to receive a payment for Vacation hours (in lieu of use) for up to twenty hours – in five whole hour increments – of accrued vacation. *Subject to criteria as outlined in section 13.9C in the UPEC-General MOU.
Sick Leave:
- 96 hours of sick leave are earned each year with no maximum accrual.
- Employees terminating in good standing after completion of 5 years of continuous service will receive a pro-rata payoff of accumulated sick leave.
- Unused sick leave may be converted to PERS service credit upon retirement.
Note - sick leave may be used immediately as accrued. Accrued paid leave benefits are used in conjunction with FMLA/CFRA as appropriate.
*Vacation and Sick Leave accruals are based on regularly scheduled working hours. Additional time will not be accrued on hours worked over 80 hours within a one pay period.
Bereavement:
- 24 hours paid leave for each non-concurrent death in the immediate family.
Shasta County contracts with PERS for medical insurance.
Depending on the plan selected, the County pays most of the employee premium, and contributes a portion of the dependent premium.
Contributions are made for a portion of a retiree's insurance premium.
Dental Plan:
The County pays a portion of the employee's and dependents' premium for dental insurance. The employee pays the full premium during the first six months of coverage.
Vision Plan:
The County pays the employee premium and employees may enroll dependents at their own expense.
Life Insurance:
The County pays the premium for life insurance for most employees. The amount of coverage varies by bargaining unit. For UPEC-General employees the current coverage amount is $25,000.
Additional Life insurance is available to purchase through Aflac and The Standard.
Retirement:
The County is in the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) coordinated with Social Security.
- Members hired prior to May 8, 2011 are covered under the retirement formula of 2% @ 55 benefit.
- Members hired after May 8, 2011 but before January 1, 2013 are covered under the retirement formula of 2% @ 60 benefit.
- Members hired after January 1, 2013 are covered under the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) with a benefit formula of 2% @ 62.
Employees pay 9.5% of his or her salary, on a pre-tax basis for a period of time as specified in his or her labor contract, or Personnel Rules as appropriate. Members hired prior to 2013 may have a different contribution percentage.
Miscellaneous:
- Deferred Compensation plans available through specified companies with employer match up to 3%
- IRC Section 125 plan available for pre-tax payroll deductions for contributions towards un-reimbursed medical expenses and dependent care.
- Optional additional insurance products are available through Aflac.
- Employee Assistance Program through ACI Specialty Benefits.
- Golden State Finance Authority – Down payment Assistance
- ScholarShare 529 – College Savings Plan
- Longevity Pay eligibility review with at least ten years of continuous service with Shasta County
Any information on this page or links is subject to change without notice.
Shasta County Personnel
1450 Court Street, Room 348
Redding, CA 96001-1676
(530) 225-5515
Comments, please email: schr@shastacounty.gov
Questions: 01Have you successfully completed fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter college units in career planning, vocational guidance principles, personality development, occupational testing and measurement, and counseling preparation? Yes / No If “Yes,” please list the courses and number of college units per class. If “No,” type N/A.
- Yes
- No
Required Question
Employer: County of Shasta
Address: 1450 Court Street, Suite 348 Redding, California, 96001
Phone: (530) 225-5515
Website: https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel