Human Services Division Manager

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD)?

Contra Costa County is recruiting to fill Human Services Division Manager vacancies in the Employment and Human Services Department.

Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department works diligently to provide the community with resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The department is committed to hiring candidates who share our core values of delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity.

When assigned to the Employment and Human Services Department, the Human Services Division Manager is responsible for the management and coordination of one of the major divisions or program functions, providing supervision and administrative direction to assigned staff. Human Services Division Managers are assigned to one of the following: Workforce Services/Benefit Services, Aging and Adult Services, Children and Family Services, Community Services, or the Office of Administration.

When assigned to Aging and Adult Services:

As a Division Manager in the Aging and Adult Services Unit, you will be responsible for overseeing programs that protect and support older adults and dependent adults. You will lead efforts in adult protective services, in-home supportive services, and long-term care coordination. Your role will involve developing strategies to prevent elder abuse, managing staff who provide case management and resource navigation, and collaborating with healthcare providers, legal services, and senior advocacy groups to ensure the well-being of vulnerable adults.
When assigned to Children and Family Services:

As a Human Services Division Manager in the Children and Family Services Unit, you will oversee programs that ensure child safety, family stability, and youth well-being. You will be responsible for managing casework policies, ensuring compliance with child welfare regulations, and leading initiatives to enhance service delivery. This role requires strong leadership in crisis intervention, staff supervision, and collaboration with the court system, foster care providers, and community partners to provide comprehensive support for children and families in need.
When assigned to the Workforce Services Bureau:
As a Human Services Division Manager in Workforce Services, you are responsible for operations or policy for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Welfare-to-Work, and/or Medi-Cal benefit programs. This position manages supervisory-level or program analyst staff responsible for facilitating eligibility or policy dissemination for these benefit programs. Serving over 250,000 Contra Costa residents, the Workforce Services Bureau is committed to the department’s core values of delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity.
When assigned to the Community Services Bureau:
As a Human Services Division Manager in Community Services, you are responsible for overseeing programs that strengthen children, families, and communities through early education, family support, and community engagement. This includes managing the federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as other family development and community action initiatives. You will lead efforts to ensure school readiness, promote positive child development, and support parents as partners in their children’s education. In this role, you will oversee program compliance with federal and state regulations, manage staff who provide direct services and family case management, and collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to expand opportunities and resources for families. Your leadership will focus on reducing poverty, improving educational outcomes, and advancing equity across the county’s diverse communities.
We are looking for someone who is:

• Adept in county human services programs and services
• Able to plan, organize, direct, and supervise the work of subordinate staff and division operations
• Able to multi-task and balance multiple priorities
• A quick learner who can absorb and engage in new responsibilities quickly
• An effective collaborator and able to communicate effectively across all levels
• Experienced in human service management, including supervision and program development
• Analytical, with strong problem-solving skills to accurately analyze situations and data and develop an effective course of action
• Able to work effectively and collaboratively with department staff, subordinates, other government agencies, and the general public

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Designing, developing, and/or reviewing work products and deliverables related to human services programs
• Planning, organizing, reviewing, and making recommendations regarding the work of supervisors, analysts, and clerical staff for the assigned bureau or program
• Facilitating meetings with stakeholders and assisting them in understanding the programmatic and/or technical procedures of the project
• Effectively managing programmatic and/or technical staff to ensure timely compliance with reporting requirements
• Reviewing and evaluating technical work products and deliverables for network infrastructure
• Overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while addressing community needs
• Coordinating the identification, documentation, resolution, and/or escalation of issues to the appropriate level
• Participating in inter-county meetings to effectively communicate critical needs on behalf of our county in support of our mission to promote self-sufficiency within our community

A few reasons you might love this job:

• EHSD encourages creative thinking and innovation for continuous improvement
• EHSD has strong and approachable leadership that encourages autonomy while providing guidance when necessary to help staff feel empowered and supported to excel
• EHSD is a diverse department with staff who are committed to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion
• EHSD focuses on teamwork and shared accountability for success

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Ensuring timely compliance with evolving laws, regulations, internal policies, and reporting requirements
• Managing and integrating new technologies that improve administrative efficiency, including software for document management, communication tools, and project management platforms
• Providing support to multiple groups with diverse needs and competing priorities while ensuring effective coordination and alignment with organizational goals

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: All candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a closely related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of full-time experience in a professional administrative position with responsibilities in social services working with the vulnerable and at-risk population in a public or private agency or a federally funded social program, which may include casework. Two (2) years of the required experience must have been at the supervisory or management level.

Assignments in Children and Family Services and Whole Person/Adult Protective Services:
Education: Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in either Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology with a specialization in marriage, family and child counseling based on a two-year program, Gerontology, or Public Administration or closely related field.

Assignments in Community Services:
Experience: Five (5) years of full-time experience working for a federally funded Head Start Program. Two (2) years of required experience must have been at the supervisory or management level.
Desirable Qualifications:

• Broad base of technical and/or programmatic experience in the following areas: familiarity with legacy systems to be converted, maintenance and operations of large-scale systems, and client-server systems
• Mastery of computer applications for data analysis and reporting
• Ability to effectively manage short turnaround times and tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality outcomes
• Strong understanding of system integration, security, data governance, and performance monitoring
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey technical and/or programmatic information to non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to troubleshoot complex system issues and implement effective solutions quickly
• Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach to decision-making

Children and Family Services:

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and county child welfare laws, regulations, and policies
• Managerial or supervisory experience in child welfare services
• Experience in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and family reunification efforts
• Proven ability to supervise and support child welfare staff, including caseworkers and social workers
• Understanding of trauma-informed care practices and child development principles
• Strong ability to coordinate with juvenile courts, foster care agencies, and family support programs

Aging and Adult Services:

• In-depth knowledge of key issues impacting older adults, including elder abuse, housing, healthcare, and economic issues
• Experience leading programs related to older adult services, senior advocacy, or long-term care coordination
• Managerial or supervisory experience in programs providing services to older adults or adults with disabilities
• Strong background in personnel management, labor relations, and program development
• Familiarity with state and federal funding sources for aging services and the ability to effectively manage deliverables and reporting requirements
• Ability to collaborate with healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups to improve services for older adults

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Training and Experience Questionnaire: Candidates will be required to complete a training and experience questionnaire at the time of filing. The responses to the training and experience questions on the supplemental questionnaire will be used to evaluate candidates' relevant education, training and/or experience as it relates to the Human Services Division Manager Qualifications. (Weighted 100%)Departmental Hiring Interview
Please Note:
After application evaluations, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for any of the assignment-specific minimum qualifications (MQs) will receive a notice identifying the assignment areas for which they have been found qualified. Only applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications for any assignment area will receive a failing notice.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Matthew Damm at matthew.damm@hrd.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 12/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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