Health and Human Services Deputy Director

About the Role

Under the direction of the Department Director, this position organizes, coordinates, and implements significant Health and Human Services (HHS) integrated service plans. The role provides ongoing oversight of multiple and significant client service programs, administrative functions, and operational activities. It offers proactive and positive support to departmental and multi-disciplinary teams, participates in strategic planning, policy development, and legislative analysis, and serves as a Department liaison to a variety of internal and external contacts.

The Deputy Director of Health and Human Services is an at-will, senior-level administrative and management position within a major County department. The incumbent manages multiple complex programs and budgets equivalent in scope and impact to small and mid-size departments. This role requires comprehensive knowledge and expertise in delivering health and human services programs, strong initiative, independent judgment, and effective management and leadership skills.

Supervision

Receives general supervision from the Health and Human Services Department Director. Exercises direct supervision over assigned Program Managers and programs under their purview.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an executive team member; develop, initiate, and implement departmental policies, procedures, and systems; participate in the identification and allocation of fiscal, staffing, and material resources; contribute to problem-solving, decision-making, and planning activities.
• Oversee and participate in the development of the Department’s work plan for assigned functions; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Participate in the development and administration of Health and Human Services budgets; forecast additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments as appropriate.
• Plan and coordinate the design and development of integrated service plans; initiate collaborative efforts among relevant federal, state, and local agencies and community groups; serve as a representative of the Department with other County departments and outside organizations when requested.
• Assist in coordinating Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Directly, or through Department supervisorial staff, select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel within assigned divisions; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Direct the investigation and resolution of complaints/concerns related to designated program areas and activities; identify and initiate solutions to major issues involving policy, client service delivery, and organizational changes and directions.
• Organize, coordinate, and provide leadership to a variety of committees and task forces within the Department in response to identified needs, special assignments, enhanced communications, and the overall commitment to team management and employee empowerment.
• Implement improvements, determine, and recommend plans for establishing new service programs or major changes in methods or levels of service delivery.
• Analyze and evaluate program results as related to objectives and policy guidelines; review program funding needs and control program activities within budgetary limits or policies.
• Provide senior executive leadership input to the preparation of annual Department budgets; justify fund requests and staff allocations; ensure the budget is administered within Board of Supervisors approved expenditure and revenue levels as requested by the Department Director.
• Establish and maintain liaison with representatives of State, Federal, and local agencies, associations, and commissions as requested by the Department Director.
• Make public presentations before the Board of Supervisors, professional organizations, or public groups to provide information on Departmental programs and goals as requested by the Department Director.
• Provide coverage for the Department Director when not available.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Four years of increasingly responsible experience in social services or public health, including two years of significant administrative managerial experience working in a public agency.
• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, or a related field. Candidates that possess a Master’s degree or Doctorate may qualify at a higher step.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California driver's license.

Skills

Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practices of Health and Human Services, including public health, social services, and other assigned programs: rules, regulations, State and Federal program policies, and procedures.
• Principles and techniques of organization, administrative management, budget preparation, and fiscal control.
• Program development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of personnel administration, effective management, supervision, and training.
• Principles and procedures associated with hiring, evaluating, training, and disciplining employees.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Governmental codes, laws, rules, and regulations, legislative process, and practices and policies relating to health and social services programs.
• Communication, teambuilding, motivation, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
• Public information and contract administration.
• Intergovernmental relationships and regulations affecting community service delivery.

Ability To:

• Plan, direct, interpret, and evaluate the administration and operations of the multidisciplinary Health and Human Services Department.
• Analyze complex administrative and regulatory problems, provide and evaluate alternatives, and adopt effective courses of action.
• Select, orient, supervise, and evaluate subordinate Departmental personnel.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of others; develop and provide effective training.

Benefits

Benefits highlights are available for this position.