HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR

HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT & THE POSITION      

The Human Services Department Director sets policy and leads staff effectively by being a dynamic, services oriented leader. The position reports directly to the County Administrative Officer and is responsible for the resource development and administration of all programs, services and staff of the Human Services Department (HSD). The HSD Director manages a budget of approximately $91 million dollars and oversees a staff of 550 serving the community through one of four divisions: Adults and Long Term Care Services Division; Employment and Benefit Services Division; Family and Children's Services Division and Administrative Services Division.  

The Department provides safety net services to meet the basic needs of individuals and families, ensures the protection of children, the elderly and dependent adults, and also provides job search assistance and job training opportunities to help job seekers become self-sufficient. The Department is founded on the values of excellent service, compassion, integrity, partnerships and effective practice. The Human Services Department is dedicated to making a difference!    

Click here to view a video with highlights of who we are and what we do at the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department

 IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Possess strong background in human services
• Possess Master's Degree in Public Administration, Social Work, or related field
• Strategic thinker with a systems perspective
• Politically astute
• Dynamic team leader

THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ  

Santa Cruz County has approximately 270,000 residents and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County’s natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and 300 days of sunshine a year. Its unique shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art as well as golfing, surfing, hiking, and biking offer a wealth of leisure activities. Higher education includes Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour away. These elements of high quality living make Santa Cruz County one of California’s most desirable areas.  

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Four years of broad and extensive, high level administrative or management experience that would demonstrate possession or application of the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and effective practices of management;  local government organization and operations and inter-relationships between County government and the community; principles of personnel management including selection, supervision, evaluation and training of subordinate staff;  principles and practices necessary to plan, organize, implement, and direct and evaluate complex and varied programs. Working knowledge of governmental finance and budgeting procedures as they effect an operating department; social planning, basic community needs and public and private community resources; Federal and State social service and income maintenance programs; and the goals and objectives of employment and training programs.

Ability to: Plan, direct, coordinate and administer programs with diverse and complex activities through subordinate managers; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, other departments and governmental agencies, boards, commissions, public officials, community groups and other interested parties; interpret and evaluate Department policy and program practices, define problem areas, plan, coordinate and initiate action to implement policy decisions; exercise initiative, ingenuity, independent analysis and judgment in solving complex and difficult administrative, managerial and technical problems; develop and implement short- and long-range departmental goals and objectives; comprehend and interpret complex regulations, laws and guidelines; prepare and present concise, logical, oral and written reports; explain policy, procedures and recommendations on a variety of issues to the general public, staff and other public officials; and coordinate Department activities with other departments and agencies.

Candidates may be eligible for relocation assistance, advanced paid leave accrual rate and advancement of sick leave accruals    

Medical, Dental, and Vision
Medical coverage is available through CALPERS with the County paying a majority portion of the cost for the employee and dependents. The cost of the dental plan is entirely County-paid for employees and dependents. The County pays for the cost of an employee vision plan and the employee may purchase dependent coverage.  

Retirement and Social Security
Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.        

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Plan
County paid $100,000 term life insurance policy. Employees may purchase additional life insurance. Long Term Disability Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS        

Candidates must submit a County application and answers to the supplemental application questions.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. For more information please call Nisha Patel, Employment Services Manager at (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY – call 711. Following a review of minimum qualifications applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue in the examination phase of the process. If you have a disability that would require test accommodation, call (831) 454-2600.                                                   

You may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance examination or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. 

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.      

The County of Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce.    

 County of Santa Cruz
Personnel Department
701 Ocean Street, Room 310
(831) 454-2600
                           www.santacruzcountyjobs.com