Salary : $92,184.56 - $108,814.58 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-10-2199
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for a position as Social Services Specialist! In this role, you will perform community outreach and develop person-centered service plans to assist clients in accessing and using community resources, with case and clinical oversight provided by licensed department staff.
Service areas may include transportation, food access, medical care, health insurance, benefits, legal assistance, affordable housing listings, utilities and energy assistance resources, and accessibility and safety issues. You'll meet with clients in their homes or in pre-designated community locations like senior centers or shelters. Many clients have complex health issues, experience homelessness, and have other functional impairments that create barriers to completing tasks. While each Social Services Specialist has their own client caseload, the team works collaboratively to ensure that adequate and appropriate support is provided to clients and to manage safety issues in the field.
Work is performed primarily on-site with clients; incumbents will be required to report to work in person the majority of the time. The current vacancy is in the Mental Health Division of the Health, Housing & Community Services Department. This classification is also used in Public Health, Aging Services, Neighborhood Services and at Berkeley Public Library.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this classification is:
Equivalent to possession of four (4) years of college with major coursework in social work, psychology, community health or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in community organization, social services, health or a related field, with demonstrated experience in providing individualized client service coordination. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year for year basis.
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, incumbents must have a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must successfully complete required program trainings and certifications, which may include a background check.
APPLICATION PROCESS Applications must be received by November 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific 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
- Written Exam (in-person, tentatively scheduled for November 20, 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 the hiring department 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.
RetirementCalPERS
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 PlansEmployees 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 PlanThe 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 PlanThe 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 InsuranceThe 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 LeaveEmployees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
VacationNew 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.
Holidays15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform AllowanceEmployees 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
If you have completed an Associate's, Bachelor's, and/or Master's degree, please list your major(s)/discipline(s).
03
Indicate your years of experience in community organization, social services, health or a related field. Your answer will be subject to verification; please ensure that your qualifying experience is clearly outlined in the Work section of your application.
- Less than 2 years
- 2 to 3 years
- 4 to 5 years
- 6 or more years
04
Please briefly describe your experience providing individualized client service coordination.
05
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.
Required Question
