Director of Human Services Agency

The Human Services Agency

The Human Services Agency (HSA) provides an extensive network of social services to San Mateo County residents, especially those in need or in crisis. HSA administers various diverse and complex federal and state-mandated programs and locally funded supportive services to over 198,000 children and adults. The mission of HSA is to enhance the well-being of children, adults, and families by providing professional, responsive, caring, and supportive services.

The Human Services Agency is a multi-accredited agency committed to pursuing best practices in social services programming and administrative standards. The Agency was accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) for another four years and is one of the few social services agencies that will operate a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP).

THE POSITION

Reporting to the County Executive Officer, the Director of Human Services Agency:

• Coordinates Agency activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
  Plans, directs, and coordinates multi-disciplinary related social services and programs including needs assessment, program design and planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.
• Directs, coordinates, and participates in the development and implementation of agency goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities.
• Directs the preparation of the Agency budget; administers and monitors the budget to ensure the accomplishment of Agency objectives within budget restrictions.
• Acts as liaison between the County Executive, Board of Supervisors, and the divisions of the Human Services Agency.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates all building and construction planning to meet anticipated departmental program and service delivery needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of social welfare and integrated human services policy and administration, including current trends in service delivery planning, policy, management, program evaluation, and related issues.
• County, state and federal legislative processes and legislative developments applicable to contemporary social service issues.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Principles of financial administration, including public budgeting, alternative financing methods and funding sources.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities of a complex and diverse human services agency.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, and policies.
• Successfully develop, control and administer the agency budget and expenditures.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with Board of Supervisors, County Executive, other departments and officials and employees, other agencies, commissions, and advisory boards.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain liaison with various private and public agencies, and deal successfully with the public and other interested groups.

An Ideal Candidate:

• A visionary who understands and recognizes emerging problems and proactively develops practical yet innovative solutions.
• A committed champion for a culture of equity and social justice who advances efforts to address population-level factors that contribute to social inequities.
• A deep understanding of facilitation and organizational behavior.
• Extensive knowledge of and relationships with staff members in the Human Services Agency and its external partners, or the abilities and experience needed to establish the same.
• Demonstrated success in organizing complex projects with multiple tasks, deadlines, and partners and delivering such projects on time.
• Knowledge of emerging trends in service delivery for the intersecting issues of homelessness, health, and housing.
• A seasoned manager who is committed to developing the staff’s talent and potential and to creating an environment of high performance in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge and experience in emergency response, disaster planning, and implementation.
• A responsive and accessible advisor who provides strategic guidance on critical issues.
• Astute in resolving highly controversial issues in a participatory and effective manner.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to understand and speak to the concerns of stakeholders and partners.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social welfare or health administration, public policy, business administration or a related discipline.

Experience

Six years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the human services, social welfare, or health services field, at least two years of which involved directing, planning, organizing and coordinating social service programs or equivalent senior level management experience in a large, public agency.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range is $230,942 – $288,620. The County offers an excellent benefits package that is available to spouses, domestic partners, and other dependents.