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Assistant Director, Family and Children's Services

County of Santa Clara · Santa Clara County, CA · 3 mo ago
Business Development$325k/yrFull-time

Description

The County of Santa Clara is seeking an innovative, driven, and collaborative leader to join the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) as the Assistant Director, Family and Children’s Services. Reporting to the Director of Family and Children’s Services, you will oversee multiple bureaus and guide a large, multidisciplinary team in delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and legally compliant services that protect and uplift children and families.

Mission

Your mission as Assistant Director is to help lead DFCS within the Social Services Agency. You will shape the future of child welfare and family support in one of California’s most dynamic regions. You’ll influence services that touch thousands of lives, from emergency response and court investigations to foster care, adoptions, and school-based supports. You’ll lead a diverse team of managers and staff across multiple bureaus, each with its own specialized mission and challenges. You’ll also ensure that the Department's programs and services meet mandates while reflecting the County's values of equity, dignity, and care.

What Makes This Role Unique

  • Systemic Impact: You’ll influence services that touch thousands of lives, from emergency response and court investigations to foster care, adoptions, and school-based supports.

  • Leadership at Scale: Manage and mentor a diverse team of managers and staff across multiple bureaus, each with its own specialized mission and challenges.

  • Equity in Action: Help ensure that our services are inclusive, just, and responsive to the needs of all communities, especially those historically underserved.

What You’ll Do

  • Strategic & Operational Leadership: Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of multiple child welfare bureaus. Align program goals with County-wide priorities and legal mandates. Lead budget development and resource allocation to maximize impact.

  • Policy & Program Innovation: Modernize service delivery through data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while advancing best practices in child welfare.

  • Team & Talent Development: Supervise and support a high-performing management team. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

  • Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with community organizations, courts, schools, and other County departments. Represent the department in high-stakes conversations and public forums.

Qualifications

  • Deep knowledge of child welfare systems, social work principles, and public sector operations.

  • Proven ability to lead large teams and complex programs with empathy and strategic clarity.

  • Strong understanding of laws, codes, and regulations governing children’s services.

  • Commitment to equity, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive leadership.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and change management skills.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Considerable training, education, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the above tasks and the possession of the following knowledge and abilities.

  • Note: The required knowledge and abilities would typically be acquired through education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in an administrative/managerial capacity, directing the provision of client services in children service programs.

Success Criteria

  • In the first 6–12 months, you will strengthen operational consistency and cross-bureau collaboration, improve staff engagement and clarity of roles and expectations, and advance key initiatives in service equity, compliance, and community trust.

  • In the long term, you will enhance outcomes for children and families through innovative, data-driven strategies, build a resilient, future-ready workforce, and position the County of Santa Clara as a statewide leader in child welfare excellence.

Benefits

  • Strategic Financial and Retirement Benefits: CalPERS pension with reciprocity across most California public agencies (2.5% @ 55 for Classic Members, 2% @ 62 for Non-Classic Members), 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with both pre-tax and Roth options, up to IRS limits, $325,000 in term life insurance plus $300,000 in accidental death and disability coverage, eligible employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

  • Executive-Level Health, Wellness, and Family Support: Premium health insurance options (Kaiser, HealthNet, Valley Health Plan) with up to 96% County-paid coverage, fully covered dental (Delta or Liberty) and vision (VSP) plans for individuals and families, Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care Assistance, and Flexible Spending Accounts, access to wellness and leadership development programs designed to support executive performance and resilience.

  • Leadership Mobility, Time Off, and Professional Growth: 39 days of annual leave with a cash-out option, plus 13 paid holidays, relocation assistance to support seamless transitions, tuition reimbursement and internal executive development programs, Valley Transportation Agency Smart Pass/Clipper Card for sustainable commuting.

Application Process

To apply, visit this link. Please include your résumé and cover letter (maximum 3 pages) in your application. For questions, contact Kendra Conrad at kendra.conrad@esa.sccgov.org.

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