Economic Assistance Division Chief - Lompoc, United States - County of Santa Barbara

Description

Note: The county is currently engaged in a management classification and compensation project which is projected to result in changes to this job classification and compensation range at the conclusion of the project.

Pending board approval, effective June 24th, 2024, this position is projected to be a Human Services Manager III classification under the new management classification and compensation structure. The salary range for this position is projected to be $116, $148,512.00 annually.

THE POSITION
The Social Services Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time Economic Assistance Division Chief in Lompoc in the Economic Assistance & Employment Services branch. The office location is 1100 West Laurel Avenue, Lompoc, CA

The employment list that is established from this recruitment may be utilized for future Division Chief vacancies in the Department of Social Services (DSS) at district offices in Santa Maria, Lompoc, and/or Santa Barbara for intake and/or ongoing operations in any of the following program/functional areas: CalFresh, CalWORKs (including Child Care and Welfare-to-Work), General Relief, Medi-Cal, Central Operations & Clerical Support (CORE) and/or Program/Administrative/Automation Support.

THE DIVISION:
The district office in Lompoc is a busy environment welcoming approximately 24,000 visitors per year. This division is co-located with other divisions in the Adult & Children's Services and Administrative Support branches and is primarily responsible for overseeing the intake and ongoing aspects of all public assistance and employment services programs as listed above.

THE POSITION
Under direction, is responsible for leading a full-service human services unit for a large County department or a large enterprise unit accountable for areas such as: child and family welfare, aging service programs, and benefits/entitlement programs; coordinates assigned activities with staff in other divisions and departments; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance and administrative support to executive management staff; and performs other duties as assigned.

This Division Chief will oversee and manage a division of six eligibility and/or employment services units (approximately 60 positions), and work in close coordination with other managers who have a similar scope of responsibility. It is essential that this manager interact and collaborate with other divisions throughout the county to ensure cooperation, smooth transition of cases between offices, as well as supporting and optimizing the work of an entire array of line staff services ranging from training to service delivery to quality control. We have key customer service initiatives such as No Wrong Door and Horizontal Integration, so while workload is distributed across the county, workers share efforts to maximize customer service and increase efficiencies in operations and often work with each other's clients. This division works in harmony with other divisions across the county to provide services in a standardized and streamlined fashion utilizing CalSAWS and other technology to assist these efforts and uses data to inform service delivery and manage resources.

This position has extensive contact with the public (applicants and recipients of public assistance as well as community-based organizations), other County agencies, and other DSS divisions. The current vacancy reports to the Assistant Director of the Economic Assistance & Employment Services Branch and requires extensive collaboration and teamwork among the group of nine managers responsible for carrying out the operations of the branch in a consistent manner.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Reports to an executive. Oversees the work of a team (two or more individuals) or teams of individual contributors through subordinate managers. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned management, professional, technical, and administrative staff.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Experienced human services professional knowledgeable in a broad range of health coverage and public assistance programs, and/or employment services programs designed to mitigate the effects of poverty and provide a path towards self-sufficiency.
• Understands community needs related to health coverage, public assistance programs, employment services and social safety net/poverty issues.
• Possesses a strong customer service/client advocacy orientation.
• Effective at addressing customer complaints to a satisfactory resolution.
• Strong supervision/managerial skills and is a capable leader to direct staff and agency resources accordingly.
• General knowledge of personnel laws and rules that are applicable to a public human services organization.
• Effective coach, mentor, and educator of supervisors about key operational issues and personnel matters.
• Demonstrated ability to actively and effectively communicate with staff.
• Capable of setting and achieving realistic yet challenging goals and engaging staff in the process.
• Experienced leading organizational change and looking at the big picture.
• Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, and directs, through staff, the activities of a district office; confers with staff on policy, procedures, budget, and personnel matters; interviews and selects staff for the division; evaluates staff performance and reviews performance reports prepared by supervisors.
• Supervises, motivates, coaches, trains and mentors staff.
• Evaluates the impact of new or amended laws and regulations on the costs or operation of the division; assists in the preparation of the annual budget; monitors revenues and expenditures of the division and uses the data to compile reports and to make fiscal and staffing recommendations.
• Reviews existing policies and operating procedures and recommends improvements; directs the development of the department's corrective action plans for public assistance programs to ensure that state standards for error control are met; prepares reports, correspondence, and annual departmental plans.
• Represents the executive staff in contacts with governmental and community agencies or business community.
• Actively participates in the Leadership Team of the Department. Participates in the development and champions new Departmental initiatives.
• Actively collaborates with other Divisions and Branches of the Department.
• Plans, organizes, implements and ensures compliance, through staff, the policies of the Department and County.
• Completes other projects as assigned.
• Promotes the vision and values of the Department of Social Service and the County.

Employment Standards

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in social or behavioral sciences or management such as business administration, organizational management, public administration, or related field, AND
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a social services field including at least three (3) years as a supervisor or manager.

Licenses and Certificates
A valid California Class C Driver's License may be required by time of appointment. Incumbents will be required to travel throughout County and State.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of administering human services programs in a public agency setting, including the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of assigned functions, related to, but not limited to child and family support, senior services, child and adult protection services, outreach and education, case operations, enterprise system planning and implementation, and in-home support services.
• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Available public and private community resources.
• Management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
• Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
• Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
• Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Social, economic, cultural, and other issues impacting program area.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.

Ability to:

• Effectively administer assigned human services programs and activities.
• Manage large scale complex projects and/or initiatives, enterprise projects, and/or oversee the management of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Manage assigned operations/programs and ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in developing goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning and monitoring work.
• Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
• Oversee the planning and operation of in-service training programs; evaluate training needs.
• Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Oversee the implementation of and adherence to quality assurance activities and standards.
• Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
• Resolve complex problems within the area of assignment.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and
• presentations.
• Create and provide informative presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.
• Maintain composure in difficult situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.
• Maintain accurate records and files.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.
• Some positions in this class may require as a condition of employment that the incumbent sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to dependent adult abuse reporting.
• Positions in this class assigned to Child Welfare Services are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section of the California Penal Code.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking - Responses to the required examination supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than [11] qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates may be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, click on Benefits Tab above or click here to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Monday, June 17, 2024; at 4:59p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at

Chanel Turner, Employment Analyst -