Deputy Director - Human Services Agency

About the role

This position is responsible to develop, implement and evaluate goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to the assigned services; provide effective leadership of agency staff; coordinate activities with other Agency divisions, County departments and outside agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the delivery of outcome based comprehensive, multi-disciplinary mandated and discretionary services.
• Integrate and balance departmental services and activities with the activities of other Agency services so that overall support to clients is coordinated and comprehensive.
• Conceive, plan, and implement new services in alignment with the agency’s vision, mission, values, and strategic outcome goals.
• Act as liaison between the Director of the Human Services Agency and department staff to ensure that the department has adequate resources to provide both mandated and expected levels of performance and service outcomes.
• Direct, coordinate and participate in the planning, development, and delivery of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities that provide integrated services for the community and conform with all applicable regulations, codes and legal requirements.
• Direct, coordinate and participate in the planning, research, development, application, implementation, and monitoring of grants and other fund development activities.
• Represent and promote the agency with public, non-profit, and community groups and organizations.
• Identify and facilitate program connections, service linkages, and activities within the Agency, County, and public or private entities.
• Interpret and explain applicable laws related to human services and make recommendations on issues.
• Research, prepare and interpret technical and administrative reports; prepare effective written correspondence as necessary.
• Select, supervise, train, monitor and evaluate managerial, professional, technical, and clerical personnel to result in expected performance goals.

Requirements

The required knowledge, skills and abilities are most often demonstrated by completion of: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, psychology, social work or a related field; AND Five (5) years of increasingly responsible managerial and leadership experience, preferably in human/social services entities; including at least two (2) years of upper management level experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, or a closely related field is desired.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver License.

Desired

• Experience leading employees through complex system change, including the titles, sizes, and functions of staff you have supervised.
• Experience assessing organizational cultures, building upon positive attributes, and fostering enhancements that empower staff to do their best work.
• Community partnership enhancement initiatives you led and the outcomes.

Special Requirements

• Depending on assignment, specific program knowledge and experience may be required.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver License.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.
• Frequent driving using a personal vehicle and travel within the state is required.
• Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.

County Employees as Disaster Service Workers

When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class.

Recruitment Process

• To APPLY For This Career Opportunity, Please Submit An Online Application At Www.venturacounty.gov/jobs And Attach Your Current Resume And Cover Letter Illustrating Your Experience With All Of The Following Your leadership experience with human services programs or related services.
• Your experience leading employees through complex system change, including the titles, sizes, and functions of staff you have supervised.
• Your experience assessing organizational cultures, building upon positive attributes, and fostering enhancements that empower staff to do their best work.
• Any community partnership enhancement initiatives you led and the outcomes.

Resume Evaluation

The first review of resumes will occur the week of September 14, 2026. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The County reserves the right to advance exceptionally qualified candidates forward in the process at any time, regardless of the review schedule. To receive prompt consideration, please submit your materials by the first review date. All relevant experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.

Interview Process

• Following a structured evaluation of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview.
• The top candidates, as determined by the panel, will then be invited to a second interview with Human Services Agency executive leadership.
• The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews, contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool.

Background Investigation

The selected candidate may be subject to a thorough background investigation, which may include inquiries into past employment, education, criminal history, and driving record. In addition, the successful candidate will undergo DOJ/FBI Live Scan fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Contact Information

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kim Mariscal at kim.mariscal@venturacounty.gov or (805) 477-5153.