Employment Specialist Jobs in California
Employment Specialist jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where public workforce agencies, nonprofits, and large employers maintain active hiring across vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, and job placement specialties. Organizations such as Goodwill Industries of Southern California, the California Department of Rehabilitation, and Marriott International consistently employ specialists at every level from entry-level case coordinator to senior program manager. Demand is especially strong in workforce reentry, disability services, and community-based employment programs tied to California's expansive social services infrastructure. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Seeking amazing Employment Specialist to join our team in Santa Barbara, CA!
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm and Tuesday/Thursday 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Hourly Rate: $27.25 per hour
Community Solutions, Inc. is seeking a dedicated and passionate Employment Specialist to join our team at our Day Reporting Center (DRC) located in Santa Barbara, CA. This individual will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the employment program including job development and job placement. Develop and maintain a job bank to assist clients in obtaining a meaningful work experience. Provide case management duties including case file development and maintenance, resource development and test administration.
Our Day Reporting Centers in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, CA provide a community-based alternative to incarceration for clients on parole. CSI uses a curricula-driven, evidence-based model designed to assess the needs of each client to reduce individual risk factors.
Essential Job Duties:
- Conduct intake data collection and perform client needs assessments.
- Establish job placements for new clients and work with staff to upgrade other clients’ employment.
- Develop and maintain employer contacts for the purpose of developing a list of employers interested in hiring client population.
- Conduct job readiness groups and/or individual counseling training programs to prepare clients for job search.
- Document training sessions and job search activities through progress reports.
- Work closely with the respective case managers for efficient coordination of client employment goals.
- Conduct follow-up as necessary on all clients referred for employment.
- Maintain client files in compliance with Agency policy on confidentiality.
- Collect and prepare statistical reports for program monitoring.
- Establish vocational/educational programs and establish working relationships with schools, alternative education centers and Department of Labor Services.
- Conduct public relation/speaking engagements and advocate for fair vocational educational treatment opportunities for offenders.
- Maintain a working knowledge of and abide by the Agency’s programs, policies, and procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Company Overview
Community Solutions Inc. (CSI) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the responsible citizenship, accountability, and well-being of individuals and families involved, or at risk of involvement, in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or criminal justice system. Since CSIs founding in 1962, it has been a pioneer in the community-based service. We have been delivering supervision, treatment, and comprehensive individualized services to help clients interact more effectively in their communities and become productive citizens. Using this plan we built the first ever halfway house in New England which has now been replicated and grown to almost 50 programs in 9 states. For over 50 years, CSI has been building upon its successful foundations and has been expanding its services to serve thousands of adults, youth, and families each year. To learn more about Community Solutions, visit our website at: www.csi-online.org.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree or substantial experience in working with clients for job readiness, developing community resources, initiating and maintaining contacts with the employment community or other job development related activities.
- Good written and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of job development and employment resources in the area a plus.
- Possession of a valid Connecticut driver's license and a car is required.
- Experience with Microsoft Office.
BENEFITS:
CSI offers great benefits which include:
- Two (2) weeks vacation accrued within the first year, bumped to three (3) weeks accrual after 1 year of service.
- Sick time (7 days accrual basis), floating holiday time (4 days/year).
- Medical and Dental plans.
- Voluntary plan options for: Vision, FSA, voluntary STD, Accident, Hospital, Life insurance and AD&D.
- 401(k) Retirement savings plan with automatic enrollment and a company match of 100% up to 4% of your contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement after 1 year service.
- Ongoing training.
CSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#Employment #Placement #ReEntry #SocialServices
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Employment Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in employment specialist jobs across California.
- California Department of Rehabilitation vendor certification preferred for vocational rehabilitation roles
- Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, human services, or a related field
- Experience conducting job development, placement, and employer outreach in California communities
- Knowledge of California Employment Development Department programs and CalJOBS system
- Case management experience with documentation in an electronic tracking system
- Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based services
Employment Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a employment specialist in California?
Most employment specialist positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, rehabilitation, or a related human services field. Roles within the vocational rehabilitation system often require or strongly prefer candidates who qualify to work with the California Department of Rehabilitation, which may involve department-approved vendor credentialing. Familiarity with the CalJOBS system and California's America's Job Centers network gives candidates a concrete advantage in public-sector hiring.
Which companies hire employment specialists in California?
Employers hiring employment specialists in California right now include Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis, Morgan Lewis, and Community Solutions, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large nonprofit sector, county workforce investment boards, and statewide rehabilitation agencies make it one of the most consistently active employment specialist markets in the country.
Which California cities have the most employment specialist jobs?
San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles lead California for employment specialist openings. Los Angeles dominates due to the scale of its county social services system and nonprofit workforce sector, while Sacramento concentrates state agency headquarters and policy-driven programs, and the Bay Area reflects demand from both tech-adjacent workforce development initiatives and large regional nonprofits.
Are there remote employment specialist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because employment specialist work often requires in-person client contact, employer outreach, and community site visits. About 67% of employment specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with virtual roles most often found in case coordination, program intake, and grant-funded workforce development positions that rely on phone and video contact.
How can I get hired as a employment specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an employment services assistant or job developer associate role at a California America's Job Center, county workforce board, or large nonprofit such as Goodwill Industries of Southern California or Chrysalis. Many California county departments and workforce agencies hire candidates with a relevant degree and no direct experience into trainee classifications. Volunteering or completing an internship through a California State University human services program and earning a basic case management certificate strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to employment specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to employment specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, whether that is vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, or community job placement, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.
See All 45 Employment Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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