County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to supervise, plan, staff, organize, and direct the operation of designated social services programs comprised of multiple units within a subdivision of the Social Services Agency; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a second-line supervisory class which has responsibility for recommending, planning and implementing policies and procedures necessary for the operation of designated programs. Incumbents also resolve difficult administrative problems and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and community groups. The class of Social Services Program Manager is distinguished from the next higher one of Division Director in that the latter class has overall administrative responsibility for establishing divisional program policy and setting goals and objectives.

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. Plans, coordinates and directs the operation of social service programs consisting of multiple units ensuring conformance to policies and procedures established by higher level management, Federal and State law and County ordinances; recommends and plans for program policies and procedures and develops the methods necessary for achieving program objectives; makes budget recommendations and monitors expenditures; allocates staff needed to accomplish goals and objectives; evaluates quality and results of services provided; coordinates program activities with other service providers both in and out of the County service.

2. Reviews and approves actions or decides upon course of action in the most sensitive case problems that could not be solved at a lower level; interprets laws and regulations for staff, clients, public and outside organizations; addresses community groups and conducts training sessions as required; confers with subordinate supervisors on organizational problems such as caseload distribution, personnel problems such as training needs and performance evaluation and technical problems related to program activities.

3. Researches and directs studies seeking solutions to program issues and problems; researches, directs and manages special projects that may lead to new program methods and procedures; oversees collection of data to evaluate new techniques and procedures; acts as liaison between individuals, community groups, clients, Federal, State, and County agencies to resolve problems, share information, or to facilitate integrated collaborative services to maximize resources; maximizes the use of automated systems for program operation.

4. Reviews and participates in the selection, assignment, training and evaluation of subordinate personnel; approves recommendations of subordinate supervisors or initiates disciplinary actions and resolves grievances when appropriate; participates with and informs labor organizations regarding problem resolutions, new programs and procedures and operational issues; confers with superiors on personnel problems and policy matters and may substitute for the Program Director in his/her absence.

5. Serves as site manager ensuring that building maintenance, repairs, cleanliness, and security are accomplished; briefs upper management on corrective actions taken; ensures that measures are taken to provide staff with a secure working environment both in and out of the office.

6. Participates in agency strategic planning helping to determine the scope and nature of social services; represents the Agency at meetings, conferences and public hearings; represents the Agency with County, State and Federal officials; provides information to the media and maintains appropriate public relations informing upper management as to status and content; responds to other agencies and community groups; prepares a variety of reports and correspondence.

7. Plans, attends and holds staff meetings, conferences and staff development; confers with other Agency management to develop training strategies for multiple program implementation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience as a Social Work Supervisor, Supervising Eligibility Technician, or similar first-line supervisory classification in the Social Services Agency (possession of a bachelor’s degree in a social service field may be substituted for two years of the required experience; a master’s degree in a relevant field for three years).

Or II

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience as an Administrative Specialist or equal or higher-level administrative class in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or III

The equivalent of six years of full-time experience at least at the first-line supervisory level in a human/social services agency (possession of a bachelor’s degree in a social service field may be substituted for three years of the required experience; a master’s degree in a relevant field for four years).

License:

Most positions require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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:

• Organization, programs and functions of the various departments of the Alameda County Social Services Agency.
• Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations pertinent to social services, economic opportunity and employment program.
• Principles of supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Community resource development.
• Social work principles and casework techniques.
• Psychological, socioeconomic and the other factors that may affect client and family functioning.
• Client and public relations.
• Automated system capabilities and applications.

Abilities:

• Oral communication.
• Written communication.
• Decision making.
• Analytical and problem solving.
• Planning and organization.
• Management control.
• Leadership.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Flexibility.

Selective Certification Criteria:

When assigned to a Children’s Protective Services Division, incumbents will be required to possess a master’s degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from an accredited school of social work, which included a supervised field placement providing social casework and counseling services to individuals and families; or possess a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling or Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling (MFCC), based on a two-year program (72 quarter or 56 semester units), which included a supervised field placement as part of the course curriculum; or possess an MFCC license.

Special Requirement:  

When assigned to the Children and Family Services Department, incumbents will be required to be on-call for the Emergency Response Unit on a rotating basis.  This will require the incumbent to be available on evenings and weekends during their assigned rotation.  

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

New classification 5/97

Admin rev. 4/27/99

TT:cla

Old document: 6045h.doc

New document: Jobspecs/6045

ys/7/01

CSC Date: 12/3/97

IB:ah Revised 6/13/18

CSC Date:  8/1/18 

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.