Employment and Human Services Director of Administration (Exempt)

Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) 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.

EHSD is recruiting for one Employment and Human Services Director of Administration with a primary focus on the Information & Systems bureau. This exempt management position is responsible for directing several department-wide administrative functions, including Staff Development, Contracts and Grants, Policy and Planning, Research and Evaluation, Alliance to End Abuse, Community Relations and Media, Civil Rights, and compliance with CDSS Division 21 regulations.  This position evaluates the work of subordinate managers and plays a critical role in ensuring these functions operate effectively, equitably, and in alignment with EHSD’s mission and strategic priorities. 

This position works in close partnership with the existing EHS Director of Administration with a primary focus on the Internal Operations bureau. This EHS Director of Administration oversees Information Technology, Business Systems Applications, Facilities, Safety, Emergency Management, Department Policy Management, Fraud and Appeals, and Purchasing. While each Director maintains distinct areas of responsibility, they function as strategic partners and may be called upon to support each other to ensure coordinated, responsive, and seamless administrative services across the department.

• Adept at navigating county human services programs, systems, and organizational structures
• Experienced at leading and directing complex projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timely delivery, and effective coordination across functional teams
• Adept at multitasking and efficiently managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• A quick learner, able to absorb and engage in new subject areas and responsibilities
• A collaborative partner, one who works well with colleagues across the department, including operations
• A change agent, able to navigate shifting priorities, assess systems, and lead change
• Skilled in policy development, research, evaluation, and translating data into meaningful recommendations
• Committed to equity, customer centered service, and able to set clear expectations and hold staff accountable

• Developing and directing departmental polices to ensure operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and alignment with organizational objectives
• Ensuring policies, procedures, and practices are aligned with local, state and federal requirements, organizational goals and industry best practices
• Overseeing functions such as Staff Development, Contracts and Grants, Policy and Planning, Research and Evaluation, Alliance to End Abuse, Community Relations and Media, and Civil Rights
• Providing leadership direction to managers and teams responsible for Information and Systems-related department-wide functions to deliver effective programs
• Providing strategic leadership to drive organizational vision, foster innovation, and guide teams toward achieving long-term departmental objectives
• Ensuring performance data is collected, analyzed, reported, and used to inform decisions
• Closely coordinating with the Executive Team on administrative functions and delivery

• EHSD encourages creative thinking and innovation for continuous improvement 
• EHSD has strong and approachable leadership that encourages autonomy and provides guidance when necessary to feel empowered and supported to excel 
• EHSD is a diverse department and staff and is committed to social justice
• EHSD focuses on teamwork and shared accountability for success

• Effectively managing and allocating resources, including personnel, technology, and financial assets, while balancing multiple priorities and limited budgets
• Managing and integrating new technologies that improve administrative efficiency, including software for document management, communication tools, and project management platforms
• Ensuring that the department complies with ever-evolving laws, regulations, and internal policies and reporting requirements

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• 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
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Leveraging Technology: Applying technology for improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state Motor Vehicle license will be accepted during the application process.
 
Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Five years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience as an administrative manager in a public or private human services agency with primary responsibility for agency budgetary and fiscal operations, agency policies and procedures, and supervision of staff. Experience in labor relations, personnel, organizational development, and program design and implementation is also highly desirable.

Substitution: Possession of a Master’s Degree in Business or Public Administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. One year of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the academic major.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Director-level experience in training and development
• Proven experience in leading large cross-functional teams including technical leadership and collaboration with other business units
• Advanced understanding of California human services financing and budget systems
• Strong commitment to collaboration, teamwork, and open communication
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with employees, managers, Directors, and external stakeholders