Job Details
Early Care and Education Case Worker
2026-10-15 Santa Barbara County Education Office Santa Barbara,CA
Description:
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:
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 an Overview 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 Open and Promotional, meaning it is open to all applicants, including current SBCEO employees and those from the general public. Open and Promotional recruitments results in internal applicants receiving preference over external applicants.
• 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.
At the Santa Barbara County Education Office, benefits-eligible employees have access to a variety of benefits and opportunities to enhance the quality of their lives. Some of these differ depending on employment as a part-time or full-time employee. Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to employees who regularly work at least 50% (20 hours) or more. Part-time employees who work between 20 and 35 hours per week receive benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please see below for information on benefits for substitutes.
The following is a list of examples of benefits that may be included.
For more details, visit our
Paid Sick Leave for Substitutes
Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act of 2014
California law provides for paid sick leave for employees who work for the same employer for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment are entitled to paid sick leave. Accrual begins on the first day of employment.
Insurance, Income Protection, and Tax-Savings Plans
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to employees who regularly work at least 50% (20 hours) or more.
Retirement Readiness
The paid time off benefits listed below are pro-rated based on the employee's full-time equivalent (FTE) and calendar. Individual benefits will also be based on position, bargaining unit, length of service, and other applicable factors.
01
Do you have a High School diploma or GED?
02
Do you have at least 12 semester units of college coursework in business, public, or non-profit administration; social sciences, human services, or related field?
03
Can you read, write and speak both Spanish and English fluently?
04
We currently have three openings for the Bilingual (Spanish) Case Worker position and one opening for the English-only Case Worker position. Please note that availability is subject to change.Select the vacancies you are interested in below.
05
Candidates who successfully complete the recruitment process will be placed on an eligibility list that will be valid for six months. This list will be used to fill future vacancies as they become available. Please select the geographic locations or cities where you would be willing to accept employment.
06
How many years of experience do you have performing clerical or direct service experience in human or social services? (100 words max.)
Required Question
Salary : $55,140.00 - $63,588.00 Annually
Location : Santa Maria - Orcutt
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00202
Division: Student and Community Services
Department: Early Care and Education
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 9:00 AM Pacific
Specific Location: Santa Maria, CA
General Description
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.
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
- 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
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 an Overview 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 Open and Promotional, meaning it is open to all applicants, including current SBCEO employees and those from the general public. Open and Promotional recruitments results in internal applicants receiving preference over external applicants.
• 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.
At the Santa Barbara County Education Office, benefits-eligible employees have access to a variety of benefits and opportunities to enhance the quality of their lives. Some of these differ depending on employment as a part-time or full-time employee. Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to employees who regularly work at least 50% (20 hours) or more. Part-time employees who work between 20 and 35 hours per week receive benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please see below for information on benefits for substitutes.
The following is a list of examples of benefits that may be included.
For more details, visit our
Paid Sick Leave for Substitutes
Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act of 2014
California law provides for paid sick leave for employees who work for the same employer for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment are entitled to paid sick leave. Accrual begins on the first day of employment.
Insurance, Income Protection, and Tax-Savings Plans
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to employees who regularly work at least 50% (20 hours) or more.
- Medical/Vision (PPO)
- Dental (HMO/PPO)
- Voluntary life insurance
- Voluntary accidental death & dismemberment
- Voluntary long-term disability insurance
- Voluntary short-term disability - We offer this plan for employees who want coverage for accidents or temporary medical conditions that may keep them out of work. SBCEO does not participate in State Disability Insurance.
- Voluntary supplemental insurance plans
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Protection
- Personal Accident
- Personal Cancer
- Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Reimbursement
- Medical Reimbursement
- 529 college savings plan
Retirement Readiness
- CalSTRS
- CalSTRS Welcome Video
- CalPERS
- CalPERS YouTube Channel
- 403(b) and 457 retirement savings plans. Take advantage of tax-deferred savings in order to supplement your pension benefits in retirement. SBCEO does not participate in Social Security for regular employees.
- Retiree health benefits available
The paid time off benefits listed below are pro-rated based on the employee's full-time equivalent (FTE) and calendar. Individual benefits will also be based on position, bargaining unit, length of service, and other applicable factors.
- Paid vacation for eligible positions
- Sick leave - 12 days per year, with unlimited accrual
- Holidays - 14 days per year, based on the Central Office Calendar. School site calendars vary.
- Coastal Housing Partnership
- Holman Group Employee Assistance Program
- Credit Unions
- Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union
- Santa Barbara Federal Credit Union
- Employee Discounts
- LinkedIn Learning
- Classified Employee Professional Growth Program
- Grant Programs
01
Do you have a High School diploma or GED?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have at least 12 semester units of college coursework in business, public, or non-profit administration; social sciences, human services, or related field?
- Business
- Public or Non-Profit Administration
- Social Sciences or Human Services
- Related Field
- No
03
Can you read, write and speak both Spanish and English fluently?
- Yes
- No
04
We currently have three openings for the Bilingual (Spanish) Case Worker position and one opening for the English-only Case Worker position. Please note that availability is subject to change.Select the vacancies you are interested in below.
- I wish to be considered for the Bilingual position AND the English-only position. By selecting this option, I confirm that I am fluent in both Spanish and English.
- I wish to be considered for the Bilingual position. By selecting this option, I confirm that I am fluent in both Spanish and English.
- I wish to be considered for the English-only position.
05
Candidates who successfully complete the recruitment process will be placed on an eligibility list that will be valid for six months. This list will be used to fill future vacancies as they become available. Please select the geographic locations or cities where you would be willing to accept employment.
- Santa Barbara / Goleta
- Santa Maria / Orcutt
- Lompoc
06
How many years of experience do you have performing clerical or direct service experience in human or social services? (100 words max.)
Required Question