Social Services Program Manager II - AO

County of Santa Clara; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara’s Social Services Agency seeks a seasoned SSPM II to lead the Child Welfare Compliance Office (CWCO) and supervise a team of Social Services Analysts and support staff. You will drive compliance, quality assurance, and program administration across multiple child welfare programs and partnerships.

Responsibilities include coordinating with DFCS, conducting risk analyses, guiding training, and reporting on outcomes to strengthen practice and policy adherence within state

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, Social Work, Psychology or related field; relevant analytic/administrative experience may substitute for education.
• Five (5) years of analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience in human services.
• Master’s or Doctoral Degree may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, administers, and oversees the Social Services Agency activities for one or more programs/operations.
• Defines personnel resource needs and allocates them as required to reach program objectives.
• Selects, hires, directs, and evaluates staff and ensures training and development.
• Provides consultation on cases and mentoring of staff.
• Develops administrative policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems.
• Determines the scope and service delivery system of social services in the County of Santa Clara.
• Communicates with Federal and State authorities on regulations and interpretation of requirements.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and County mandates related to programs.

Skills

Plan and direct programs

Staff supervision

Public administration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science or related field

Master’s/Doctoral substitution for experience

Tools

Program evaluation tools

Job description

Under general direction, to plan, develop, organize, evaluate, direct, and control the activities and/or staff of a Social Services Agency service and/or program.

Child Welfare Compliance Office (CWCO)

The CWCO ensures robust quality assurance and quality control for critical child welfare decisions. The office performs systematic, thorough, and independent reviews of referrals and case files to verify compliance with policy, practice standards, and state and federal regulations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying practice improvement needs among social workers, supervisors, managers, and executives.
• Facilitating structured root-cause analyses and collaborative case reviews.
• Advising internal and contracted trainers and coaches to address identified learning or practice needs.
• Partnering with TSS data analysts to track trends, monitor outcomes, and support reporting efforts.
• Collaborating with external partners to ensure stakeholders are informed of changes to processes, practice, and compliance expectations.

Social Services Program Manager II (SSPM II)

The SSPM II in CWCO will supervise a team of Social Services Analysts and an Office Specialist I responsible for conducting rigorous safety compliance strategies. The SSPM II coordinates closely with designated DFCS staff including DFCS Executives, to communicate findings, elevate recommendations, and monitor DFCS activities to strengthen practice consistency and policy adherence.

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Plans, organizes, directs, administers, and oversees the Social Services Agency activities for one or more programs/operations that provide direct service to the public and/or other agencies;

• Defines personnel resource needs and recommends and allocates them as required to reach program objectives;

• Selects, hires, directs, and evaluates staff and ensures the orientation, training, and development of program staff;

• Provides consultation on cases that may be individually-based or family-focused, as part of direction, guidance, and mentoring of staff;
• Develops and implements administrative policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems;
• Determines the scope, character, and service delivery system of social services in the County of Santa Clara;
• Communicates with Federal and State authorities on the development of pending legislation or regulations and works with these representatives to ensure appropriate interpretation of requirements;
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and County mandates relative to assigned programs;
• Assesses service delivery system and ensures customer satisfaction;

• Initiates, reviews, and evaluates recommendations on goals, policies, plans, projects, programs, and outcomes to meet community needs, and implements as applicable;
• Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes service or program data, and implements as applicable;
• Develops visible and highly recognized partnerships with community-based organizations and other County departments or agencies;

• Acts as liaison and represents the Social Services Agency in contacts with public and private organizations, individual members of the public, and the Board of Supervisors;
• May develop and establish public education or social media campaigns and deliver oral and written presentations to internal and external agencies and organizations;
• Administers and monitors contracts, including overseeing the solicitation process, drafting provisions, and evaluating performance of contract agencies and community-based organizations;
• Confers with State and other agencies on interpretation of rulings involving court orders or decisions, legal mandates, or policy changes;
• Coordinates program automation and guides staff/customers on related processes;
• Coordinates general Social Services Agency support for staff and customers;

• Researches funding alternatives and administers public funds and any other type of funds, including grant funding;
• Determines and submits budgetary requirements to maintain the program;

• Prepares reports and correspondence;

• May give depositions, testify in court, and meet and coordinate with law enforcement, County Counsel, and other legal entities;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note:

The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Behavioral Science, Social Work, Social Psychology, Psychology, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing may substitute for education on a year-for year basis;

and

Five (5) years of analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience in the field of human services.

A Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Behavioral Science, Social Work, Social Psychology, Psychology, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Requirements

• Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, budget preparation, personnel and financial administration, community relations, and employee supervision, training, and development;
• Program evaluation, planning, and development principles and techniques;
• Operation and functions of public assistance and social service agencies, including social services objectives applicable to areas of responsibility;
• Diversity issues as they impact the local community;

• Current capabilities, processes, and applications of automation;
• Principal public and private resources available to the community for referral or utilization in social services programs;
• Laws, regulations, and administrative guidelines that affect employment, training, public assistance, and other social services applicable to the areas of responsibility;
• Labor laws and administrative policies governing memoranda of understanding with the County’s represented employee organizations;

• Applicable sections of the Welfare and Institutions Code;
• Health and safety standards, such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc.;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct the activities of Social Services Agency programs and services;
• Effectively select, hire, and supervise staff, and ensure appropriate orientation, training, and development of program personnel;
• Effectively allocate resources and personnel;
• Develop and maintain internal operational procedures and policies for the programs/offices assigned;
• Interpret and assure the appropriate implementation of Federal and State regulations pertaining to the various programs assigned and keep abreast of developments related to program activities;
• Analyze procedures, data, and other pertinent reports and recommend a course of action;
• Apply principles and theories of casework in a consultative and managerial capacity;
• Optimally utilize technology to automate processes and educate the public on social service programs;
• Direct the development and preparation of a variety of plans, including major needs assessments, demographic data, survey results, and program designs;
• Consult with and advise the Department Director or other executive management staff on the activities, status, and fiscal impacts of programs or new program requirements;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Prepare and present oral and written reports clearly and concisely;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Create a customer-friendly environment;

• Effectively represent the Agency before the Board of Supervisors, at meetings with State and Federal agency representatives, and before other stakeholders, boards, commissions, or citizen groups.