DIVISION DIRECTOR OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES

Job Specifications

Class Code:	SP7
Analyst:	GLD

Date Originated:	8/96
Date Revised:	1/99, 6/04, 2/08

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, this single-position class plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and evaluates the Child Welfare programs of the Human Services Department; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This single-position class is responsible for developing, administering and evaluating Children’s Services within the Human Services Department. 

This class is distinguished from the Assistant Human Services Department Director  in that the latter assists the  Department Director with overseeing the overall coordinated services and functions of the Department  and assumes full responsibility in the absence of the Department Director. This class is distinguished from the Division Director – Social Services Programs in that the former is solely responsible for the complex child welfare programs, while the latter could be assigned to a wider array of divisions, such as Benefit Services, Career Works, or Adult Services.

TYPICAL TASKS

Establishes and maintains goals, objectives, and plans for carrying out division functions consistent with overall Department  goals; coordinates and directs through subordinate managers and supervisors the work of staff engaged in providing a wide variety of casework services; works closely with management and supervisory staff of the division, Department , and other departments to coordinate and integrate services, resolve administrative problems and develop joint procedures; analyzes divisional work activities and programs, conducts or directs studies of systems and procedures, evaluates divisional policies, services and systems and formulates needed improvements; directs and participates in the formulation and preparation of the divisional budget; monitors divisional budget; may direct a decentralized fiscal component; represents the division in dealing with other departments, agencies, private businesses, and community groups and organizations; directs and evaluates the work of the subordinate management and/or supervisory staff; develops division programs, contracts, grant agreements and memoranda of understanding; reviews and evaluates services and develops corrective actions as necessary; appears before the Board of Supervisors to present plans, projects and policies; serves on County and State task forces, committees and commissions and provides staff support for selected groups; testifies at the State level concerning proposed legislation and programs; develops division position statements for presentation to governing bodies, agencies and departments; performs special assignments as directed; prepares reports and correspondence; attends and/or conducts meetings and conferences. 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Program planning, administration, coordination and evaluation. 
• The principles and practices of public administration. 
• The functions and services of the assigned division's programs. 
• The principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.

Working knowledge of:

• Local government organization and operations and of the interrelationships between County, Federal and State government and community organizations concerned with the delivery of the division's services. 
• Community needs and public and private community resources providing services related to the division's programs.
• Budgeting and fiscal control, especially pertaining to the division's programs. 
• Administrative problems and issues involved in the operation of a large division and agency. 
• Laws and regulations pertaining to the division's programs. 
• Current developments and trends in the assigned division's services. 
• Grant proposal writing and legislative processes related to developing funding sources. 

Some knowledge of:

• The application of information services to program operations. 
• Contract negotiation and administration.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct, through subordinate managers and supervisors, the activities of a large staff engaged in the administration of the division programs;
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment to solve difficult administrative and personnel problems; 
• Analyze, interpret, and explain complex regulations, laws, court decisions and directives affecting division programs; 
• Evaluate programs; 
• Express division positions effectively in oral and written form; 
• Develop and coordinate functions among division, departments and agencies; 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; 
• Interpret and explain division operations and programs to other departments, agencies and community groups; 
• Speak effectively before groups; 
• Prepare and monitor contracts and budgets; 
• Provide professional consultation and program leadership; 
• Train and orient staff; 
• Develop, negotiate and monitor funding sources;

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be:

• Three years of responsible administrative or management experience which would demonstrate application or possession of the required knowledge and abilities listed above;
• A Master's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Social Services or Social Work, or closely related field, may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• Desirable Qualification: Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Physical and mental capability of performing the essential functions as summarized in the Typical Tasks section of this job specification.

Benefit Status: 08 
EEOC Job Category: 01
Occupational Grouping: 66
Workers’ Compensation Code: 0053