Chief Deputy Human Services

Solano County; Fairfield (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Solano County Health and Social Services Department seeks a Chief Deputy Human Services, an executive leadership role overseeing alignment across Social Services divisions including Child Welfare, CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal eligibility, employment services, In-Home Supportive Services, Public Guardian, Adult Protective Services, and related family, adult, and community programs.

The Chief Deputy Human Services provides executive leadership and subject matter expertise on social services

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field.
• Six years of leadership and/or management experience in public sector human/health services.
• Bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience may substitute the Master’s requirement.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic alignment and integration across Social Services divisions.
• Oversee budget, staffing, compliance, contracts, and service delivery priorities.
• Represent the Department in external forums and advise the Department Director.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic alignment

Policy analysis

Budget & fiscal oversight

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s degree in Health and Human Services Administration or related field

Job description

Solano County's Health and Social Services Departmentis hiring for Chief Deputy Human Services!

Solano County Health and Social Services (H&SS) is one of the County's largest departments, providing integrated health, behavioral health, and human services that improve the lives of residents throughout the community. Through innovation, collaboration, and equity, H&SS delivers high-quality programs and services that promote healthy individuals, strong families, and thriving communities.

Click here to learn more about the Department of Health and Social Services

THE POSITION

The Chief Deputy Human Services is a new executive leadership position within the Department of Health and Social Services responsible for strategic oversight, alignment, and integration across the Department’s Social Services divisions, including Child Welfare Services, Employment and Eligibility, and Older and Disabled Adult Services. This position oversees major human services programs including public assistance, CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal eligibility, employment services, In-Home Supportive Services, Public Guardian, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, foster care, and related family, adult, and community support programs delivered in partnership with public, private, and community-based agencies.

The Chief Deputy Human Services provides executive-level leadership and subject matter expertise on social services operations, policy, fiscal and regulatory compliance, continuous quality improvement, civil rights monitoring, state and federal policy analysis, social services realignment, multidisciplinary team development, and integrated service delivery. The position works closely with division leaders while preserving appropriate operational autonomy, represents the Department in key external forums including the County Welfare Directors Association, and serves as a senior advisor to the Department Director on complex human services matters. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, trauma-informed, and equity-centered executive leader who can strengthen coordination across complex systems and improve outcomes for children, families, older adults, persons with disabilities, and communities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a seasoned public-sector human services executive who can lead at a systems level while supporting strong, autonomous division leadership. The successful candidate will bring executive experience in complex human services operations and demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead strategic alignment, integration, and accountability across multiple Social Services divisions.
• Support Deputy Directors and senior leaders without becoming embedded in day-to-day divisional operations.
• Interpret and apply complex federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policy requirements.
• Oversee budget, fiscal, staffing, compliance, contract, and service delivery priorities across large public programs.
• Advance continuous quality improvement, results-based accountability, civil rights compliance, and performance monitoring.
• Build effective partnerships with County departments, community-based organizations, contracted providers, state and federal agencies, and advisory bodies.
• Communicate clearly with the Department Director, County Administrator’s Office, Board of Supervisors, community partners, staff, and the public.
• Champion trauma-informed, equity-centered, culturally responsive, and integrated systems of care for children, families, older adults, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable communities.

View the brochure for this career opportunity here: Chief Deputy Human Services Recruitment Brochure

View the job description here: Job Description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Health and Human Services Administration, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Health Care Services Administration, Applied Behavioral Services, Public Administration, Public Policy and Analysis, or another field closely related to the intent of the class.

AND

Experience: Six years of leadership and/or management level experience in the public sector providing human/health services administration, strategic analyses and management, budget and fiscal oversight, and policy and program development and evaluation for children and family services within a large public agency.

Note: A Bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of experience may substitute the Master’s degree educational requirement.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are required to possess a valid California Driver’s License, Class C.

Note: The driver’s license must be kept current while employed in this class.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should apply by 8/28/2026.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted. These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

EOE/AA.