Community Services Specialist I

Salary : $92,187.89 - $108,811.87 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-10-2074
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Berkeley is currently accepting applications for Community Services Specialist I. The Community Services Specialist I is a city-wide classification that provides professional level support in assigned community oriented programs. Specific duties vary by program and department but generally include program development, program or community agency monitoring, and/or community organization. Program areas may include youth development, aging services, animal services, housing, and energy and sustainability.

See the full job specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this classification is:
A college degree in sociology or a related field from an accredited college or university. Progressively responsible experience in community organization, social services or a related field which has required independent program development and needs assessment skills may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.
Other requirements: Must have a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Must be willing to work evenings and/or weekends. Some positions may require bilingual language skills to meet the needs of the population to be served.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on November 2, 2026 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 Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
Please be aware of unauthorized job postings and communications. Applications will only be accepted via GovernmentJobs.com and we will only email candidates from the governmentjobs.com or berkeleyca.gov domain. If you encounter a suspicious job post or communication, please alert us at
EXAM PROCESS

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Written Exam (in-person, tentatively scheduled for the week of November 30, 2026)

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 at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

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).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

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 Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. 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 $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 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.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. 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 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
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 degree and/or major coursework
03

I understand I must attach my unofficial transcript to this application to verify the education listed above.

• Yes

04

Describe your experience working in community organizations, social service or environmental programs. The described experience must also be listed in the "WORK EXPERIENCE/HISTORY" section of this online application. Please do not type "See resume" as your response. If you do not have any relevant experience, enter "N/A." (You may copy and paste your response from a Word document.)
05

Please indicate all areas in which you have previous work experience, internship, or volunteer experience.

• Animal Care (clinic/shelter)
• Career/Employment Services
• Community Outreach/Education
• Disabled Populations
• Environmental Programs/Sustainability
• Homeless Populations
• Housing
• Planning (Land use)
• Public Health
• Senior Populations
• Teen Populations
• Volunteer
• Labor Standards and Workforce Development
• Affordable Housing
• Policy
• Grant Administration and Compliance
• Community Funding
• None of the Above

06

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question