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Executive Director of First 5 Solano Children & Families Comm

Recruitment #14-148050-01

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Introduction

THE COUNTY

Solano County is a special place, with its inviting mix of rural and suburban lifestyles and easy access to all of the urban amenities associated with two of the nation’s most dynamic metropolitan regions. Solano County is a growing community that reaps the benefits of its ideal location for those who live and work here. The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. The County limits residential and commercial development outside of cities, thus preserving almost 80% of the land for open space or agricultural uses. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the County is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries. With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural and human resources, history of responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is entering the 21st Century with a promising future as a place to live, learn, work and play.

THE COMMMISSION

The First 5 Solano Children & Families Commission was created when  Proposition 10 was approved by California voters in 1998.  The commission is responsible for allocating Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds to promote, support and sustain the local early childhood system, including funding for comprehensive early childhood development services for children from the prenatal stage to five years of age. The Commission receives about $3.8 million annually (typically leveraged to generate an equal amount in matching funds) which is allocated in accordance with its community strategic plan. First 5 Solano serves about 15,000 children, families and providers of early childhood services annually.  The Commission is comprised of nine members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and is supported by a staff of seven, including an Executive Director, Deputy Director, Contract and Program Specialists and an Office Assistant III. The Commission also employs Extra Help staff such as College Interns.

The Position

Under the direction of the County Administrator, the Executive Director is responsible for providing staff support to the Children and Families Commission, implementing Commission policies and programs, representing the Commission in the community and to the State Children and Families Commission, and managing the Commission’s administrative functions including staff supervision, fiscal management, contract administration and program evaluation.  

The Executive Director oversees the Commission strategic plan initiatives focusing on the development, delivery, and expansion of services to meet community needs and the evaluation of outcomes in terms of effectiveness and cost efficiency. The incumbent is responsible for the overall coordination, supervision, fiscal, administrative and grant management operations of the Commission.  This position is exempt from civil service, “at will” and serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

  • Must be a highly experienced manager with a strong, proven record of accuracy, accountability, timeliness and integrity in the areas of budget, finance and contracts administration. 
  • Must be an excellent communicator and leader, who can help the Commission develop goals, objectives and plans and can move the Commission’s agenda forward.
  • Must be an effective leader who has the ability to develop, motivate and direct managerial, professional, and clerical staff.
  • Must be able to work collaboratively and build partnerships in the community and be an effective and responsible advocate for children services.
  • Must be a strategist who is able to establish priorities and clear goals that will enable First 5 Solano to meet the objectives and policies set forth by First 5 Commissioners, the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors.
  • Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations in support of goals, and monitor the results.
  • Must possess strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to summarize and present information about the value and direction of the Commission to policymakers, parents, practitioners and the public.

 QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education:  Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field.  A Master's Degree in one of the above areas is highly desirable.

Experience:  Five (5) years of management and supervisory experience in a public, non-profit or private program or agency which included program administration, planning and evaluation, fiscal management, personnel management, policy development and providing community service.   

BENEFITS

Longevity Plan: 2.5% increase after completion of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30  & 35 years of continuous full-time service, with credit for prior years of service employed with California cities, counties, joint power authorities,  and other special districts.

Retirement: The County participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), 2%@60 for current members of PERS from another agency (or reciprocal retirement system) and 2% at 62 for new members.

Insurance Coverage: Choice of CalPERS health plans with the County making substantial contributions for employees and their dependents

Social Security: The County participates in Social Security.

Medical Insurance: Choice of CalPERS health plans.  The County currently contributes $1,190.36 per month towards health insurance for employees and their  dependents.

Dental and Vision Insurance: The County pays 100% of the standard dental and standard vision plan cost for full time employees and their eligible dependents.

Life Insurance:  1.5 times basic yearly earnings (max of $350,000) County paid for full-time employees.

Supplemental Life Insurance:  Voluntary, 100%  Employee paid.

State Disability Insurance (SDI): Employee pays full cost, currently 1.0% up to a maximum salary of $100,880.

Long-term Disability Plan:  100% County paid for full-time employees

457 Deferred Compensation: with County match up to $130/yr.

Retirement Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts:  Health Care, Dependent Care and Transportation Accounts.

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Holidays: 12 holidays/year

Vacation: Start earning at a rate of 20 days of vacation/year.

Administrative Leave: 80 hours per fiscal year

Sick Leave: Earn 12 days/year 

Selection Process

09/05/2014  Deadline to apply

TBA  Tentative week for Oral Board Interviews

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. The selection process will consist of an application screening by a subject matter expert and an oral interview. Candidates will need to successfully pass a post-offer drug screening test prior to employment.  Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. These provisions are subject to change.  

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. Previously submitted application materials for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.  

Questions can be directed to Carlise Mickens at (707) 784-6188 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

 

Supplemental Questionnaire

The following questions will be used to help determine the candidate’s qualifications for this position.  Be sure to answer all questions thoroughly and completely and in 400 words or less (each question).

1. Please describe your most recent experience managing a public, non-profit or private program or agency.  Include your experience with program administration, planning and evaluation, fiscal management, personnel management, policy development, and the number/types of staff supervised and your overall level of responsibility.

2. Please describe your experience with contract management, contract negotiation, project budgeting and contract compliance, developing and utilizing Requests for Proposals and/or other solicitation tools.

3. Describe your experience with performance measurement including: developing scopes of work and holding contractors accountable, data collection, evaluation, presentation of findings and recommendations for course corrections when necessary.

4. Please describe your experience facilitating  dialogue in a public forum between the community and a governing body.   

   

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/inc/blobfetch.aspx?BlobID=18134. This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Solano County

Located 45 miles northeast of San Francisco and 45 miles southwest of Sacramento, Solano County is home to rolling hills, waterfronts and fertile farmland.

 

Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

 

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

 

County Population (January 2012): 413,786

 

 

 

 

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

 

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER