Social Services Program Manager II - Department of Family and Children Services chez County of Santa Clara, CA

About the Department

Under general direction, to plan, develop, organize, evaluate, direct, and control the activities and/or staff of a Social Services Agency service and/or program.

The Department of Family and Children’s Services is seeking one (1) Social Services Program Manager II (SSPM II) to oversee supervisors and social work staff in the Emergency Response (ER) Division. This position plays a critical role in supporting child safety by ensuring effective response to referrals of child abuse and neglect. The SSPM II will supervise and guide ER supervisors and staff, provide case consultation, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and county mandates. The role also includes partnering with ER leadership and the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline to manage day and mid-shift operations, collaborating with internal divisions and external partners, and contributing to policy development, program evaluation, and interagency initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership skills, in-depth knowledge of the Welfare and Institutions Code, experience in program oversight, and the ability to use data systems such as SafeMeasures and CWS/CMS to inform practice and drive improvements. 

This position is located at 373 West Julian St. in San Jose, with a schedule of Monday through Friday, and requires availability for after-hours on-call support, including participation in a monthly weekend and holiday rotation.

For questions regarding this opportunity, please contactHong-Phuc Nguyen at [email protected].

Position Duties

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.

• Plans, organizes, directs, administers, and oversees the Social Services Agency activities for one or more programs/operations that provide direct service to the public and/or other agencies;
    
• Defines personnel resource needs and recommends and allocates them as required to reach program objectives;

• Selects, hires, directs, and evaluates staff and ensures the orientation, training, and development of program staff;

• Provides consultation on cases that may be individually-based or family-focused, as part of direction, guidance, and mentoring of staff;
    
• Develops and implements administrative policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems;
    
• Determines the scope, character, and service delivery system of social services in the County of Santa Clara;
    
• Communicates with Federal and State authorities on the development of pending legislation or regulations and works with these representatives to ensure appropriate interpretation of requirements;
    
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and County mandates relative to assigned  programs;
    
• Assesses service delivery system and ensures customer satisfaction;

• Initiates, reviews, and evaluates recommendations on goals, policies, plans, projects, programs, and outcomes to meet community needs, and implements as applicable;
    
• Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes service or program data, and implements as applicable;
    
• Develops visible and highly recognized partnerships with community-based organizations and other County departments or agencies;

• Acts as liaison and represents the Social Services Agency in contacts with public and private organizations, individual members of the public, and the Board of Supervisors;
    
• May develop and establish public education or social media campaigns and deliver oral and written presentations to internal and external agencies and organizations;
    
• Administers and monitors contracts, including overseeing the solicitation process, drafting provisions, and evaluating performance of contract agencies and community-based organizations;
    
• Confers with State and other agencies on interpretation of rulings involving court orders or decisions, legal mandates, or policy changes;
    
• Coordinates program automation and guides staff/customers on related processes;
   
• Coordinates general Social Services Agency support for staff and customers; 

• Researches funding alternatives and administers public funds and any other type of funds, including grant funding;
    
• Determines and submits budgetary requirements to maintain the program; 

• Prepares reports and correspondence;

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Behavioral Science, Social Work, Social Psychology, Psychology, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field.  Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing may substitute for education on a year-for year basis;

and

Five (5) years of analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience in the field of human services. 

A Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Behavioral Science, Social Work, Social Psychology, Psychology, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, budget preparation, personnel and financial administration, community relations, and employee supervision, training, and development;
    
• Program evaluation, planning, and development principles and techniques;
    
• Operation and functions of public assistance and social service agencies, including social services objectives applicable to areas of responsibility;
    
• Diversity issues as they impact the local community;
    

• Current capabilities, processes, and applications of automation;
    
• Principal public and private resources available to the community for referral or utilization in social services programs;
    
• Laws, regulations, and administrative guidelines that affect employment, training, public assistance, and other social services applicable to the areas of responsibility;
    
• Labor laws and administrative policies governing memoranda of understanding with the County’s represented employee organizations;
    

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
    
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct the activities of Social Services Agency programs and services;
    
• Effectively select, hire, and supervise staff, and ensure appropriate orientation, training, and development of program personnel;
    
• Effectively allocate resources and personnel;
    
• Develop and maintain internal operational procedures and policies for the programs/offices assigned;
    
• Interpret and assure the appropriate implementation of Federal and State regulations pertaining to the various programs assigned and keep abreast of developments related to program activities;
    
• Analyze procedures, data, and other pertinent reports and recommend a course of action;
    
• Apply principles and theories of casework in a consultative and managerial capacity;
    
• Optimally utilize technology to automate processes and educate the public on social service programs;
    
• Direct the development and preparation of a variety of plans, including major needs assessments, demographic data, survey results, and program designs;
    
• Consult with and advise the Department Director or other executive management staff on the activities, status, and fiscal impacts of programs or new program requirements;
    
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
    
• Prepare and present oral and written reports clearly and concisely;
    
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
    
• Create a customer-friendly environment;
    

• Effectively represent the Agency before the Board of Supervisors, at meetings with State and Federal agency representatives, and before other stakeholders, boards, commissions, or citizen groups.