Child Welfare Program Analyst (Human Services Analyst II) - Limited Term

Smcgov; Redwood City, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Mateo's Human Services Agency seeks a Child Welfare Program Analyst (Human Services Analyst II) to support the Children and Family Services branch. The CWPA will assist in implementing CWS-CARES, develop program materials, contracts, and performance reports, and coordinate with managers, staff, and community partners.

This is a limited-term, at-will assignment with benefits similar to regular employees.

Qualifications

• Two years of journey-level administrative and analytical duties in a human services or related agency.
• Knowledge of public administration principles and practices.
• Experience supporting development, implementation, and improvement of programs and processes.
• Ability to develop and negotiate contracts and budgets; strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to coordinate with program managers, staff, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop grants and contracts with the State and other funding sources, including budget items.
• Draft requests for proposals, evaluate proposals and negotiate contracts.
• Provide technical programmatic and fiscal assistance to staff and subcontractors.
• Monitor and evaluate subcontractor performance, including budget analysis and field monitoring.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and reports for assigned programs; prepare presentations for boards and committees.
• Coordinate events, maintain computer files, and generate reports.

Job description

The Human Services Agency (HSA) of County of San Mateo is seeking qualified Child Welfare Program Analyst (Human Services Analyst II) to join the Children and Family Services (C&FS) Branch. The CWPA will report to the Children and Family Services Administrative and Program Support Services Manager and will support Child Welfare System Strategies and Contracted Services.

The Child Welfare Program Analyst (CWPA) provides analytical, administrative, and project support for programs within Children and Family Services. This position requires independent judgment, strong organizational and analytical skills, and ideally a general knowledge of child welfare programs and practices. The CWPA may be assigned lead responsibility for projects and initiatives and will work closely with program managers, internal teams, community partners, and other stakeholders.

CWS-CARES Go-Live:

A key responsibility of this position will be serving as the lead analyst as part of the Organizational Change Management Team for CWS-CARES, the new child welfare Statewide case management system, scheduled to go-live December 7, 2026. Responsibilities will include developing and maintaining business process maps and implementation resources; providing on-site and over-the-shoulder support during and after go-live; maintaining SharePoint content and resource repositories; preparing communications, reports, and other project materials; and providing ongoing implementation support while adapting to evolving project needs, priorities, and timelines.

Program Support and Contracted Services:

In addition to supporting CWS-CARES implementation, the CWPA will work with Program Managers to develop and maintain a variety of documents, including, but not limited to, scopes of work, request for proposals, written reports, data reports, performance metrics, and County forms. The CWPA will receive and process invoices and help facilitate related signature and tracking processes.

Additional responsibilities may include conducting research and providing information to support management recommendations; supporting the integration of key initiatives and C&FS priorities; communicating with community organizations regarding program requirements; working closely with community-based service providers to support program compliance and provide technical assistance; developing service agreements; reviewing and interpreting State guidance and policies; and performing other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, organized, proactive, and adaptable professional who enjoys working as part of a team and can effectively navigate a fast-paced and evolving environment. The successful candidate will be comfortable taking initiative, identifying what needs to be done, and stepping in to support the team without always being asked.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze information, identify issues, develop practical solutions, and make sound recommendations.
• Project management and organization: Ability to coordinate projects, manage competing priorities and deadlines, and follow through on assignments.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and professionally and prepare concise, accurate written materials.
• Initiative and adaptability: Takes ownership, anticipates needs, and adjusts effectively to changing priorities and project needs.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with staff, managers, community partners, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Program and process knowledge: Experience supporting the development, implementation, and improvement of programs and processes; general knowledge of child welfare or social service programs and practices is desirable.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop grants and contracts with the State and other funding sources, including the negotiation of specific items in the agreement and budget preparation.
• Draft requests for proposals, evaluate proposals and negotiate contracts.
• Provide technical programmatic and fiscal assistance to staff and subcontractors, including the development of policies and procedures and the training of staff.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of subcontractors, including budget analysis and field monitoring, to ensure conformance with performance goals and fiscal requirements.
• Develop and implement marketing and funding strategies and policies and procedures for assigned programs; develop and monitor budgets.
• Represent assigned programs and the Agency at various meetings and conferences and serve as the liaison with the state and other organizations.
• Analyze legislation and develop policy and procedures for implementation by staff and subcontractors.
• Provide work direction to support staff.
• Collect, analyze and interpret various information, develop recommendations and present findings.
• Write reports and grant proposals and make presentations to boards, committees and other groups.
• Coordinate and conduct special events and projects.
• Develop and maintain computer files and generate reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Note: This is a limited-term, at-will assignment. Limited term employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan. This recruitment may be used to fill future limited term positions.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify for a Human Services Analyst II is two years of experience performing journey level administrative and analytical duties in a human services or related agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles and practices of the specific program area to which assigned.
• Principles and practices of contract development, negotiation and monitoring.
• Principles, practices and techniques of administrative and programmatic research and analysis.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and County and program policies and guidelines.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill/Ability to:

• Develop and evaluate proposals and negotiate contracts and agreements.
• Develop, monitor and analyze budgets and program performance.
• Plan, coordinate and implement administrative and programmatic research and analysis.
• Analyze, interpret and apply various regulations and requirements.
• Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct special events and projects.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with grantors, subcontractors, County staff, elected and appointed officials, the public and others.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Compile and analyze data, draw sound conclusions and prepare and present effective reports.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines.

The Human Services Agency will screen materials after the recruitment closes.

The Human Services Agency will contact qualified candidates directly for a departmental interview.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be conducted in person, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

HR Contact: Arlene Cahill (09232026) (Human Services Analyst II - G231)