Position Information Under general direction to assist with planning, organizing, administering, and managing the operations, functions, and programs of the Social Services Branch and Area Agency on Aging in the Human Services Agency; to plan, organize, direct, supervise, and manage the operations, services, and programs of a group of assigned teams within the Social Services Branch; and to do related work as required. Social Services Program Administrator is a second level supervisory and first level management position within the County Human Services Agency. It has responsibility for assisting with the general management of the Social Services Branch and the Area Agency on Aging of the Agency, as well as directing, managing, supervising and coordinating the operations, functions, and services of a group of teams in Children's or Adult Services within the Branch. Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist with the general management and administration of the Social Services Branch and State Department of Aging Services in the Merced County Human Services Agency, including fiscal management, personnel management, and program planning and evaluation.
- Plan, organizes, directs, manages and coordinates the operations, programs, and services of an assigned group of teams within the Branch. Serves as a resource for interpretation of Federal and State laws regarding social service programs.
- Has a major role in the development, administration, and control of the Branch budget.
- Assists with the preparation and presentation of grant applications, develops, monitors, and evaluates social service programs.
- Consults with staff regarding problems with complex social service cases and delivery of services, taking corrective actions to improve the quality and efficiency of social services.
- Researches new legislation and programs for local impact, develops and interprets and establishes activities to meet goals. Also ensures compliance with all legislative and regulation changes.
- Performs a variety of studies and analysis to maintain the quality and efficiency of social services.
- Responds to the most sensitive complaints from the community, foster parents, and staff.
- Represents the Human Services Agency and assigned functions with a variety of committees, associations, and groups.
- Serves as Deputy Director of Human Services Agency-Social Services and the Director of the Area Agency on Aging when delegated.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential Functions:
- Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motion.
- Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
- Occasionally sit for long periods of time.
- Occasionally required to operate motor vehicle.
- Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
- Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions, and prepare reports.
- Meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
- Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
- Complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
- Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
- Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
- Represent the County with the community and other agencies.
- Make presentations.
- Train, evaluate and supervise staff.
- Develop and maintain skill in mandated automation CWS/CMS program.
- Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge of:
- The functions, policies, programs, and procedures of the County Human Services Agency.
- Requirements, administrative techniques, and record keeping necessary for efficient and effective delivery of a variety of social and aging services.
- Principles, methods, and techniques of social casework and the development of social and aging service delivery systems.
- Utilization and development of community resources in social and aging service delivery systems.
- Rules, regulations, and laws governing the delivery of social and aging services and social casework.
- Development and application of automated methods and systems to eligibility social and aging service delivery and casework.
- Operating policies and general functions of the State Department of Social Services.
- Budget development and expenditure control.
- Public personnel management.
- Business and public administration, including organization analysis and development.
- Public personnel management, including equal employment opportunity.
- Principles of effective employee management, supervision, training, and development.
- Principles of Public Guardian/Conservator/administration management.
- CWS/CMS automation program.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize, direct, manage and coordinate the operations, functions, and programs of an assigned group of units in the Social Srvices Branch and the Area Agency on Aging of the County Human Services Agency.
- Provide direction, supervision, training, development, and work evaluation for Branch staff.
- Assist with budget development and expenditure control.
- Review the work of assigned staff and resolve a variety of problems.
- Assist with proper implementation and conversion of Branch functions to new automated systems.
- Direct the development, maintenance, and implementation of unit statistics, records, and reports.
- Effectively represent the Human Services Agency in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other government agencies.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
- Develop and maintain teams intra and inter agency
Minimum Qualifications Experience: Three (3) years of professional level work experience in social services, including experience in areas such as personnel, administrative analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or data processing. In addition, experience must include one (1) year of work experience in a supervisory capacity. Education: A graduate degree in Public Administration or Business Administration or related field or a master's degree in social work or a master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program. Supplemental Information Training & Experience Examination – Weighted 100%The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score.
To obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATIONA departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Merced County. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIODOnce you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not ensure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for 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.
ABOUT MERCED COUNTY
Merced County is located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley in central California, an area earning worldwide acclaim for its rich agriculture, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced, the self-proclaimed Gateway to Yosemite, has a population of approximately 81,102, yet retains the charm of a small town with amenities routinely found in larger communities. Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. The County is representative of the rural heartland and Gold Rush remnants underpinning the state's heritage. It is a peaceful, quiet, and friendly area with an abundance of beautiful bike paths and offers choices of higher education in UC Merced and Merced College.
Benefits
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.