Virtual Hiring Benefits to CFS

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

San Bernardino County’s Children and Family Services (CFS) leveraged technology and modified existing hiring practices to implement a Virtual Hiring program designed to address the hiring challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program facilitated outreach via the County’s online application portal and employed video conferencing platforms to conduct interviews and extend job offers. The program resulted in the hiring of 662 essential staff members, while adhering to COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The program’s long-term benefits include the continued use of flexible interview mediums, which allows for a wider pool of candidates for whom an in-person interview was not feasible and saved travel time and related expenses for interview panelists. The Virtual Hiring program addressed the need to fill essential roles to continue to promote CFS’ mission to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of the children and families it serves.