Assistant Director of Health Services

Starting salary up to $124.57/hour ($259,992/year) and a competitive total compensation package.

About the role

As the Assistant Director of Health Services, you will lead the implementation of high-quality and equitable public health, behavioral health, and homelessness services. As a member of the department's executive leadership, you will drive the department toward a strengths-based work culture and ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of our programs. Building and fostering excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and ensuring that healthcare services are delivered equitably and efficiently are key responsibilities. Your leadership will be instrumental in:

• Developing and implementing initiatives that improve healthcare outcomes across the department
• Coordinating special projects and initiatives that involve multiple county departments
• Managing, directing, and providing strategic guidance for various administrative functional areas
• Overseeing key administrative functions and driving effective decision-making
• Serving as a primary point of contact for critical healthcare discussions, representing the department in high-level conversations

Requirements

As the ideal candidate for this role, you will have extensive experience in government administration, particularly within health services. In addition, you will possess many of the following:

• A solid understanding of government budgeting, financial management, and fiscal sustainability in a health setting
• A high level of business acumen with the ability to think strategically and lead teams effectively
• The ability to assess complex data, identify issues, and implement solutions to improve operations
• Familiarity with upstream and prevention program models and an understanding of health policy and planning
• The ability to make tough decisions, have direct conversations, hold individuals accountable, and ensure high-quality service delivery
• A demonstrated ability to effectively work within complex government structures and adapt to change
• The ability to understand and navigate the political landscape, ensuring that the department’s initiatives align with broader governmental goals
• A genuine commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community
• Experience in delivering presentations to diverse stakeholders, including government boards, the public, and community partners

About the Department of Health Services (DHS)

DHS is one of the County's largest and most complex departments. DHS consists of the Administration, Behavioral Health, Public Health, and Homelessness Services Divisions and is driven by its mission to promote, protect, and ensure access to services that support the health, recovery, and well-being of all in Sonoma County. These ideas are the basis for how DHS operates and delivers services:

• Excellence - Strive to create a culture of learning, innovation, and data-driven practices to guide internal operations, improve performance, and build staff expertise
• Collaboration - Engage and work collaboratively with partners, communities, and staff to maximize its impact across the County
• Equity - Work to reduce disparities and ensure fairness, compassion, and social justice

For more information regarding the department, its programs, services, and partnerships, visit the DHS website.

About the County of Sonoma

The County of Sonoma is the place to live, grow, and build your career legacy. When you join the County of Sonoma, you will have the freedom to explore the beauty of our county - its picturesque coastline, majestic redwoods, historic towns, fine dining, award-winning wineries, and a wide variety of entertainment and cultural activities. For additional information about the beauty of our community and the valuable services and support that the County provides our communities, please visit sonomacounty.ca.gov and sonomacountyconnections.org.

Benefits

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Any combination of experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, four years of increasingly responsible management experience in a large organization, including program planning and evaluation, budget management, personnel management and performance evaluation, policy development and provision of community services would provide such opportunity. Experience managing a health services organization or large division of such an organization is highly desirable.

Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in health care administration, public administration, hospital administration, business administration or a closely related field would provide such opportunity. Possession of a Masters degree is desirable.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of:

• the social and economic problems affecting public services;
• communication and conflict resolution;
• principles and practices of budget and fiscal management, supervision, training, and administration of public services;
• principles and techniques of statistical and quantitative management analysis;
• grant sources;
• public information and contract administration;
• intergovernmental relationships and regulations affecting delivery of public services.

Considerable knowledge of:

• the principles, practices, and methods used in public service programs;
• program planning, evaluation and monitoring;
• principles and application of cost accounting and public funding, research methods and techniques;
• personnel management.

Knowledge of:

• federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating to the management and operations of public service programs;
• research methodology, report writing and basic statistics.

Ability to:

• plan, organize and direct comprehensive public service programs;
• understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies governing public service programs and operations;
• develop goals and objectives;
• supervise and evaluate the performance of subordinate managers, medical and administrative staff;
• identify and analyze administrative problems and implement operational changes;
• present and direct in-service training programs;
• analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action;
• organize inter-departmental operations;
• assist in the preparation and justification of the department's budget;
• establish and maintain cooperative working relationships;
• communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• coordinate and integrate program components in a cohesive and effective service delivery system;
• secure cooperation and teamwork among professionals and support staff.