Human Services Program Director-Department Promotional-DHS

Kern County; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern County is conducting a Department Promotional Examination for the Full Human Services Program Director position within the Department of Human Services. The examination process includes an Oral Exam and related material review, open to eligible Kern County employees.

Applicants must meet the stated education and supervisory experience requirements and may be asked to travel to various locations. Additionally, bilingual English/Spanish applicants are encouraged to apply, with a bilingual

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND three (3) years experience in a social services agency supervising employment and financial services, adult/child services, or administrative services.
• At least one (1) year of experience must have been as a Department of Human Services Assistant Program Director or Human Services Program Specialist.
• An Associate's Degree with five (5) years of supervisory experience may substitute for the Bachelor's requirement.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Job description

This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open to eligible employees of the Department of Human Services.

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

• Oral Exam: will be conducted the week of October 5, 2026.

Examination

Oral Exam (Weight 100%):Will be conducted for the purpose of appraising the applicant's training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position. The Human Resources Division may conduct an appraisal of application materials should there be an insufficient number of candidates to warrant an oral exam. Should an appraisal be necessary, the appraisal will be weighted at 100%

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Examination components for promotional testing will be administered during the scheduled date/time/location without exception.

Minimum Qualifications/Employment Standards

Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND three (3) years experience in a social services agency supervising employment and financial services, adult/child services, or administrative services. Qualifying experience may be attained in a public, private or nonprofit agency.

Positions Assigned to Department of Human Services

At least one (1) year of experience must have been as a Department of Human Services Assistant Program Director or Human Services Program Specialist.

OR have an Associate's Degree and five (5) years of supervisory experience with one (1) of those years as an Assistant Program Director or Human Services Program Specialist.

Other qualifying experience may be attained in a public, private or nonprofit agency.

Additional Requirements

1. A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Child Welfare Services crisis intervention, court related activities including but not limited to; Emergency Response, Adoptions or Court Intake.
2. A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Employment and Financial Services, which may include but not be limited to Employment Services, CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal.

Possession of a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operator's License is required upon appointment.

Please ensure applicable materials are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach application materials to your application, you may deliver a copy to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or email [e-mail]

Bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a bilingual (English/Spanish) certificate before the final filing deadline. Applicants who wish to be considered for bilingual employment must submit a bilingual certificate issued by the Kern County Human Resources Division or its authorized agent, Bakersfield College.

Access the following website for information about where to obtain a qualifying certificate: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/academics/career-education/bilingual-testing.html

Employees who occupy positions designated as bilingual are paid dependent upon the required level of proficiency.

Full Human Services Program Director Job Description

This position works within the Department of Human Services of Kern County. For more information about the department, please view their website here.

Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county. To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:

Growth Mindset

We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.

Admittance to the examinationwill require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.

Appointees are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal records check as authorized by section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions code and section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code.

This examination will establish an eligible list from which immediate appointment(s) will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates are encouraged to indicate acceptable geographical locations in which they would accept employment on their application form. Candidates MUST be willing to travel to these locations (areas/district offices).

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page.

Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.