Assistant Client Services Program Director

This is an extraordinary career opportunity to join a progressive and innovative County located in scenic Northern California. Placer County is an award-winning organization and a noted leader in the field of health and human services. The County seeks to attract highly qualified candidates that bring credibility, passion, and an innovative approach to the delivery of services to the community.

Placer County offers a full CalPERS retirement package, attractive medical, dental, vision and insurance plans, a 6% cafeteria plan, paid vacation and sick leave, 100 hours of management leave, and thirteen annual paid holidays.  More information regarding Placer County's competitive benefits package can be found in the "Benefits" section below.

Placer County Health and Human Services is seeking an Assistant Director in their Human Services Division. The Assistant Director of Human Services provides operational, programmatic, and personnel management for the Division. Human Services has office locations in Auburn, Rocklin, and North Lake Tahoe; frequent county-wide travel may be required for this position. 

The Human Services Division provides financial assistance, healthcare coverage, food and nutrition assistance, employment services, housing assistance and veteran’s services to more than 70,000 in a county of approximately 380,000 residents. The division has more than 228 positions with an annual budget exceeding $40 million. The Assistant Director will work with the Director in management responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing day-to-day operations, recommending priorities for the division, serving in a senior capacity of the management team, and exercising direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical personnel. The Assistant Director will also be instrumental in the daily operations of both the Placer County Housing Authority (through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program) and the Placer County Veterans Services Office. 

The ideal candidate will have experience managing an organization that emphasizes cooperation, accountability, and responsiveness and have the ability to communicate effectively with division staff, community stakeholders, and the clients we serve.  This candidate will be a strong organizational leader with management supervisory experience, budget management skills, and accomplished programmatic expertise. A demonstrated ability to develop innovative approaches to service, creativity, communication and consensus building, along with a track record of working with a broad range of people and organizations reflecting a diverse cultural and economic population is desired. The ideal candidate will also have experience in performance evaluations and progressive discipline, human resources management, contracts management, organizational design and change management.

This recruitment will be open until filled. To be considered for the first round of interviews, application materials must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019. A second screening will be conducted if needed.

(Unclassified)

Under direction of the Client Services Program Director, assist the Director to plan, integrate, organize and direct the day-to-day operations of the division; recommend priorities for division resource allocations; serve as a lead member of the division’s management team and serve as acting Client Services Program Director in the absence of the Director.

The Assistant Client Services Program Director serves as an assistant division head performing administrative and management tasks for the director as assigned, supervises management personnel and serves as acting Client Services Program Director in the absence of the Director.

Receives administrative direction from the Client Services Program Director.

Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical personnel.

• Assist the Client Services Program Director in managing and directing a division of the Department of Health and Human Services; serve as the acting Client Services Program Director in Director’s absence and assume full responsibility of the division as needed.
• Assist in developing the division goals and objectives; assist in the development of policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize and direct activities and operations of the division; confer with the Client Services Program Director regarding policies and operating processes; review, evaluate and recommend changes in policies, programs and operations; mentor and coach subordinates to implement the direction of the Client Services Program Director; identify emerging issues, assess alternative strategies and action plans, and solve problems.
• Develop and implement work plans, performance measures, assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Prepare the division budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administer the approved budget.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as requested; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the division.
• Consult and cooperate with State departments, County Department managers, advisory boards and advocacy groups on all aspects of assigned division and community outreach; identify and assess community, constituent, policy and operational issues and problems; develop, evaluate and recommend alternative strategies and solutions; and assist in implementing strategies, operational plans and programs.
• Conduct and/or attend various public meetings to represent the interest of the division.
  Build and maintain positive working relationships with State Departments, County Departments and divisions, County managers, County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Represent the Department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Perform a variety of special assignments.
• In the absence of the Client Services Program Director, assume responsibility of the division as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. 

Experience:   Five years of increasing responsible experience in a public health and/or human service agency, including at least three years of administrative and management responsibility.  Experience in a Health and/or Human Services Agency is preferred.
 
Training:  Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business, public administration, public health, health science, sociology, psychology, counseling, behavioral sciences or a related field.

License or Certificate:  May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of assigned division and related programs.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations to assigned division/program.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis, performance measures and management.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.

Ability to:

• Assist in planning, directing and monitoring an assigned division of a large and complex department with a wide variety of programs, services and funding sources.
• On a continuous basis, analyze budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve Division related issues; remember various rules; and explain and interpret policy.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and communicate through written means.
• Assist in the development and implementation of division policies and procedures.
• Analyze and implement program mandates.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Assist in the successful development, control and administration of the division budget and expenditures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Implement a participatory management program throughout Department and motivate staff by inclusion.
• Interpret and apply State, County, and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including diverse interest groups and advisory boards, advocacy groups and other governmental organizations.
• Represent the County under diverse circumstances and prepare and deliver oral presentations to small and large groups.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for Management bargaining unit

Applications submitted by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 will be forwarded to the hiring department for review and interview selection on or around Tuesday, January 29th, 2019.