Deputy Director - Human Services Agency

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from the base salary range for the Deputy Director – Human Services Agency of approximately $176,664.30 to $205,443.75, an employee in this position will also be eligible for the following:

• A General Salary Increase of 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.
• New Hire/Relocation Incentive — May be eligible for one of the following (1) a new hire incentive of up to 10% of annual base compensation; or (2) a relocation allowance of up to $15,000.
• Merit Increases – New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards.  Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase. 
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.  
• Bilingual Incentive – Based on agency need, proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III). 
• Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule – We support work life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
• Executive Annual Leave – 248 hours earned per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service, to 328 hours after 10 years of service, and to 368 hours after 15 years of service. *Credit for prior public service may be considered (Management Resolution Sec. 616A).
• Annual Leave Redemption – The ability to “cash in” or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave (Management Resolution Sec. 1207).
• Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions. Eligible employees meeting the criteria in Sec. 1907 of the Management Resolution will receive two (2%) percent of their annualized compensation non-elective contribution into their 401(k) account.
• Health Plans–Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $23,530 annually, to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents. The flexible credit allowance will be increasing $25,558 annually effective December 8, 2024.
  • Employee only - $502 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus one dependent - $730 per biweekly pay period 
  • Employee plus family - $905 per biweekly pay period  
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses. 
• Pension Plan - Both you and the County contribute to the County’s Retirement Plan. If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS. For specific pension plan details, please contact VCERA at vcera.info@ventura.org or by phone (805) 339-4250.
• Retirement/Social Security - Defined retirement benefits vest after 5 years of service. The County and you also each contribute to Social Security. For more information, visit: https://www.vcera.org/  
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which, includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Other Benefits - Incumbents are entitled to County-paid Executive professional membership in professional organizations related to their position. Other benefits include Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Benefit Reimbursement Program, and a Wellness Program.

Deputy Director-Human Services Agency is an at-will classification which is exempt from the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance.These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
 
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE 
 
The required knowledge, skills and abilities are most often demonstrated by completion of:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, psychology, social work or a related field; AND
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible managerial and leadership experience, preferably in human/social services entities; including at least two (2) years of upper management level experience.

DESIRED

• Master's degree in Social Work, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, or a closely related field

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership, public administration, and strategic management.
• Principles and practices of social and human services for families and children, including current trends in research, integrated multi-disciplinary linkages, human service practices, culturally competent provision of services and interpersonal relations, education, and related issues.
• Use and direct business technology systems necessary to effectively carry out assignments.
• Laws, codes, and regulations governing social and human services.
• Principles of financial administration, including public budgeting and reporting.
• Principles, procedures, and practices of effective human resource management including supervision, employee performance, and employee development.
• Principles and practices of program planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of public policy development and implementation.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, review and coordinate multi-disciplinary integrated social and human services for individuals and families.
• Properly interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and agency strategic plans.
• Demonstrate integrity through actions and ethical decisions.
• Utilize Agency resources efficiently and effectively, including pursuing sound opportunities to blend and braid funding.
• Speak effectively to diverse audiences including professional and community groups.
• Maintain effective liaison relations with various private and public entities, including county, state and federal entities, advisory boards, and commissions.
• Demonstrate effective and culturally competent interpersonal communication and problem solving with employees and officials of the Agency, county, state, private, public, and other entities.
• Demonstrate initiative to make strategic improvements.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Frequent driving using a personal vehicle and travel within the state is required. Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.
 
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class.  At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California).   To APPLY for this exceptional career opportunity, please submit an online application at www.ventura.org/jobs and attach your current resume and cover letter illustrating your experience with all of the following:

• Your increasingly responsible managerial experience with child welfare and/or public assistance programs within a human services/social services environment.
• Indicate whether you would like to be considered for the Deputy Director position that oversees Children & Family Services or Community Services, or both positions.
• Your experience leading employees through complex system change, including the titles, sizes, and functions of staff you have supervised.
• Your experience assessing organizational cultures, building upon positive attributes, and fostering enhancements that empower staff to do their best work.
• Any community partnership enhancement initiatives you led and the outcomes.

RESUME EVALUATION
Applications, resumes, and cover letters will be reviewed weekly beginning September 16, 2024, to determine if the stated requirements are met. All relevant work experience, training and education need to be included to determine eligibility.
 
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Following a structured evaluation of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview. The top candidates, as determined by the panel, will then be invited to a second interview with Human Services Agency executive leadership. The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews, contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool.
 
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.  In addition, the successful candidate may be subjected to Live Scan fingerprinting.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
 
It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information about this recruitment, please contact one of the following Recruitment Analysts:

Kim Mariscal by email at kim.mariscal@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-5153.
Blake Nespica by email at blake.nespica@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-5117.

Salary : $23,530 - $205,444