County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction the position is responsible for coordinating agency-wide policy, legislative activities and supporting operating departments’ strategic planning efforts; leading the development and implementation of complex departmental initiatives and programs; directing and coordinating the activities of a unit; and performing related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is located in various County departments and reports to senior management staff. Incumbents will support the redesign of service delivery systems and monitor the Agency’s overall response to regulatory and legislative changes, along with conducting best practice reviews and policy analysis. The Policy Director acts as a liaison with State and Federal officials, as well as working in collaboration with the Finance Department and other major programs and units.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Directs and manages multi-disciplinary teams in the development of plans, goals, objectives, policies and procedures for completion of the System Reform and/or redesign projects; reviews project proposal or plan to determine time requirements and allotment of available resources to various phases of the project.

2. Collaborates with department representatives in the development of the Agency’s legislative agenda works with the departments/divisions to develop recommendations on the establishment of Agency policies.

3. Directs and coordinates activities across the Agency to ensure that projects progress on schedule and within projected budget; reviews status reports prepared by project staff and modifies schedule or plan as required.

4. Coordinates project activities with government regulatory or other government agencies; coordinates intra- and inter-departmental matters necessary to expedite the projects; facilities and troubleshoots the solution of problems associated with designing, implementing, leading and completing projects.

5. Establishes and maintains contacts with internal and external constituents, boards, committees, commissions to provide information, garner acceptance and support for the project, and ensure that the project meets customer needs and regulatory guidelines; chairs project management meetings; prepares project reports for the Board of Supervisors, commissions and other legislative bodies.

6. Confers with management and provides technical advice on the potential impacts of the project on such areas as organization, staffing, processes, and to assure smooth functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.

7. May participate as a member of the Executive Management Team, which reviews and establishes general Agency policy.

8. Develops a wide variety of short- and long-range plans and recommendations for alternative methods of service delivery and of administrative organization.

9. Responsible for coordinating and providing support for short-term and long-term strategic planning and development efforts, communicating important timelines and progress.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Welfare, Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Health Care Administration or a closely related field.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of increasingly responsible, full-time, paid administrative experience in the evaluation of or planning for the delivery of health care or social services in a health care or social services agency, social planning, or community organization. (Note: The combination of training and experience must clearly demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.)

License: A valid California Motor Vehicle license is required.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Research, analytical and data collection techniques.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of business and public administration.
• Principles and practices of management, supervision, and training.
• Budget administration.
• Program performance budgeting, strategic budgeting and benchmarking.

Ability to:

• Review and analyze a variety of technical review comments on projects and recommends appropriate action.
• Manage project activities and the activities of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Establish, balance and adjust priorities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Promote a customer-oriented approach toward meeting the needs of the County.
• Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written communications.
• Prepare a variety of narrative documents, including policy statements, management reports and correspondence.
• Speak effectively before small and large groups.
• Facilitate small and large groups.
• Establish standards and evaluate performance.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local government, other County personnel and the public.
• Resolve operational and procedural problems and conflicts.
• Respond effectively to a variety of changing situations.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RE:sw 3/17/98
TB:jc Revised: 6/98
Old doc: 6047h.doc
New doc: 6047.doc
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 6/10/98
AM:po Revised/Retitled 12/5/05
{Old title: SSA Planning Director}
CSC Date: 12/21/05
RE:po Revised/Retitle 11/18/10
{old title: Policy Director, SSA}
CSC Date: 12/15/10
IB/RY:cs Revised 3/7/12
CSC Date: 4/4/12
RY:cs Revised 12/15/14
CSC Date: 1/7/15
IB:cs Revised 11/10/15
CSC Date: 12/9/15
IB:jf Revision 3/14/2017
CSC Date: 3/29/2017

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.