Kristal Huizar joined EWDD as a Targeted Local Hire participant and recently passed her one-year probation period. She is now a full-time civil service employee with the City. We're lucky to have her on board!
Kristal juggled two part-time jobs, one at a law firm and the other at the City's Department of Recreation and Parks. Her supervisor informed her about the City's Targeted Local Hire Program. Upon learning how the program can lead to full-time work with the city, Kristal immediately applied through the South Los Angeles WorkSource Center.
"I still had my other job full-time, but my ultimate goal was to transition to the city full-time. So if my only options were testing or the [TLH] application, I figured, why not put my name in?"
At the WorkSource Center, staff provided Kristal with an orientation on how to fill out the application and how to create a resume, along with interview training. After two years of staying on top of her application, she was finally picked up in late 2021 by EWDD to begin her one-year Office Trainee probationary training.
During her training period, Kristal expanded her already advanced clerical skills and she became an important asset to EWDD's Contracts Unit. "Because of her solid work ethic and knowledge, our team is more efficient and organized in processing contracts," said Kristal's supervisor Valerie Nettles. "Kristal has enhanced operational processes in numerous ways, but especially in organizing the actual execution process. She thinks on her feet and often comes up with brilliant ways to streamline the work. Her impact is invaluable, and I can truly say I need her in the Contracts Unit."
Through her training experience, Kristal also gained financial security, which she didn't have at her previous job, where she had worked for 12 years.
On March 14, 2023, Kristal officially completed her Office Trainee probationary training. She is now an Administrative Clerk at EWDD and a full-time civil service employee. However, she's not done just yet. Kristal plans to continue to be promoted to higher positions, which is made possible because of the career pathway she enrolled in through the TLH Program.
"I'm just very appreciative of where I'm at," she said. "I'm very appreciative of all the support that I've had, from my supervisors, all my supervisors, and I look forward to continuing my journey with the city."
Watch the full video to learn more about Kristal's experience with the program, what she's learned as an Office Trainee, and tips she has for people interested in applying for the program!
Targeted Local Hire (TLH) Program
The City's Targeted Local Hire Program offers Angelenos a pathway into civil service via full-time paid, on-the-job training for entry-level positions. Candidates can apply for two career tracks: the Vocation Worker pathway, which offers jobs ranging from custodian to street services worker or the Office Trainee pathway, which leads to Administrative Clerk or Delivery Driver jobs. The TLH program is an alternative pathway for underserved populations to gain entry into civil service careers instead of taking civil service tests.
Visit the City of Los Angeles' Targeted Local Hire Program website to locate the nearest EWDD WorkSource Center or referral agency accepting applications for the TLH program.
Kristal juggled two part-time jobs, one at a law firm and the other at the City's Department of Recreation and Parks. Her supervisor informed her about the City's Targeted Local Hire Program. Upon learning how the program can lead to full-time work with the city, Kristal immediately applied through the South Los Angeles WorkSource Center.
"I still had my other job full-time, but my ultimate goal was to transition to the city full-time. So if my only options were testing or the [TLH] application, I figured, why not put my name in?"
At the WorkSource Center, staff provided Kristal with an orientation on how to fill out the application and how to create a resume, along with interview training. After two years of staying on top of her application, she was finally picked up in late 2021 by EWDD to begin her one-year Office Trainee probationary training.
During her training period, Kristal expanded her already advanced clerical skills and she became an important asset to EWDD's Contracts Unit. "Because of her solid work ethic and knowledge, our team is more efficient and organized in processing contracts," said Kristal's supervisor Valerie Nettles. "Kristal has enhanced operational processes in numerous ways, but especially in organizing the actual execution process. She thinks on her feet and often comes up with brilliant ways to streamline the work. Her impact is invaluable, and I can truly say I need her in the Contracts Unit."
Through her training experience, Kristal also gained financial security, which she didn't have at her previous job, where she had worked for 12 years.
On March 14, 2023, Kristal officially completed her Office Trainee probationary training. She is now an Administrative Clerk at EWDD and a full-time civil service employee. However, she's not done just yet. Kristal plans to continue to be promoted to higher positions, which is made possible because of the career pathway she enrolled in through the TLH Program.
"I'm just very appreciative of where I'm at," she said. "I'm very appreciative of all the support that I've had, from my supervisors, all my supervisors, and I look forward to continuing my journey with the city."
Watch the full video to learn more about Kristal's experience with the program, what she's learned as an Office Trainee, and tips she has for people interested in applying for the program!
Targeted Local Hire (TLH) Program
The City's Targeted Local Hire Program offers Angelenos a pathway into civil service via full-time paid, on-the-job training for entry-level positions. Candidates can apply for two career tracks: the Vocation Worker pathway, which offers jobs ranging from custodian to street services worker or the Office Trainee pathway, which leads to Administrative Clerk or Delivery Driver jobs. The TLH program is an alternative pathway for underserved populations to gain entry into civil service careers instead of taking civil service tests.
Visit the City of Los Angeles' Targeted Local Hire Program website to locate the nearest EWDD WorkSource Center or referral agency accepting applications for the TLH program.
This story is part of the EWDD UPDATES from the week of March 27, 2023. Read this issue and more.