Assistant Director Of Social Services

Salary : $130,062.40 - $158,100.80 Annually
Location : Ukiah, CA
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Job Number: 24.25
Department:Social Services
Opening Date: 01/23/2024
Closing Date: 2/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
The current vacancy is in Ukiah, CA with the Mendocino County Department of Social Services. At-Will position; exempt from Civil Service.
Primary responsibility is to assist the Director of Social Services in the operation and administration of the Department of Social Services; work consists of varied and highly complex professional and administrative duties. The incumbent is expected to assist in collaborative efforts among departments and other public entities to identify and implement new ways to provide seamless and integrated services to the public. Performs other duties as assigned.
Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.
Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides leadership and displays initiative while assisting in the overall direction and management of a multidisciplinary department in a changing environment, including monitoring and coordinating County wide strategic plan priorities as they relate to the department; and in developing, implementing and monitoring the department strategic plan.
• Assists in the formulation of department goals, objectives, policies and procedures and ensures the delivery of services in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Carries out management and supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including: planning, assigning and directing work; reviewing staff reports and work product of others; evaluating the performance of employees; ensuring the maintenance of personnel evaluation systems; ensuring training and/or retraining programs for staff; rewarding and disciplining employees; interviewing and selecting staff; addressing complaints and resolving problems; promoting a safe working environment and enforcing County policies.
• Regularly advises the Director of issues and programs relative to the work of the department.
• Responsible for assisting in departmental budget priorities; assists in the preparation of department budgets, justifies program and budget recommendations to the CEO and the Board of Supervisors. Helps ensure budget expenditures are properly controlled.

• Assists in evaluation and monitoring of systems to ensure consistent delivery of client-focused services to the public.
• Regularly collaborates with division leaders, other departments and other entities to develop and recommend organizational or system changes, as necessary, to maintain or enhance quality, client-focused services.

• Assists the Director of Social Services in the administration and operations of the department to ensure efficient organization and completion of work.
• Plans and implements short-term or annual goals, objectives, and strategies for the department to ensure efficient organization and completion of work.
• Develops, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards for the department; recommends and implements improvement when necessary.
• Provides information, advice, feedback, or assistance to others within the department to refine work outputs or resolve problems.
• Ensures that quality standards and compliance with regulations are maintained.
• Assists in the development and preparation of the department budget.
• Supervises human resources functions of the department and advises Director on personnel matters.
• Develops, reviews and/or comments on policy/position papers and reports, service and revenue contracts, agenda summaries and other documents.
• Prepares and presents statistical and/or other reports and program recommendations.
• Supervises planning and implementation of department infrastructure functions including telecommunications, data processing, and facilities.
• Represents the department on various interagency and County-level committees as assigned.

• Signs official and other documents to approve or ensure information adequacy, accuracy, and legitimacy.
• Conducts regular staff meetings to review progress, accomplishments, strategies, and plans for the section.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
• Analyzes and predicts future trends and/or regulations pertaining to department operations; provides direction in developing appropriate responses to changes.
• Prepares and makes presentations to Board of Supervisors, outside agencies and/or other groups as needed; develops related information packets and agenda summaries.
• Acts as Director of Social Services in their absence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Administration, Counseling, Social Work or a related field; and, four (4) years of progressively responsible related experience.
Substitution: A combination of education, training and experience equal to 8 years, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
LicensesandCertifications:
Valid Driver's License
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public Social Services and organizational structure.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations, as well as program development and other related areas.
• Budgetary principles and practices.
• Knowledge of funding sources impacting program and service development.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation, client focused delivery systems.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision including work planning, assgnment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interactions to ensure teamwork is conducted effectively with outcome oriented discussions.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
• Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicates policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Applying principles of management, leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to provide effective leadership to subordinate personnel and to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, senior management, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives and making creative recommendations.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Manage a multi-discipline, customer-oriented service delivery system.
• Provide effective leadership in the development of new or improved procedures, rules, regulations and policies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Write reports, correspondence and/or other documents as well as analyze and review staff reports and recommendations and give constructive feedback.
• Analyze situations effectively, interpret and apply laws and regulations and recommend effective courses of action.
• Speak effectively before groups and respond to questions and have the poise and tact to handle sensitive and confidential matters with public entities and media.
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound independent judgment when making decisions within general policy guidelines.
• Respond to stressful and sensitive situations in a professional and confidential manner.
• Represent the department and county effectively in meetings including making effective presentations to and facilitating groups.
• Delegate authority to staff.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and speak and hear.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information
Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.
Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.
Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
The option for telework may be available. Eligibility for telework is based on the position, employee, and telework environment; not every position, or every employee will be compatible to telework. Please see for details.
This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.
The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.
SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.
RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.
VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three we...