Assistant Director - Deputy Director II (0952) - Child Support Services

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

19d

About The Position

The San Francisco Department of Child Support Services is accepting applications for a permanent exempt Assistant Director! ⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️: Your application MUST include responses to the supplemental questionnaire found here: Supplemental Questionnaire Applicants must complete the supplemental questionnaire along with the online application process. Applications will not be reviewed without a completed supplemental questionnaire and vice versa. Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below: Appointment Type: The position is a Permanent-Exempt (PEX) appointment. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer. Application Opening: December 12, 2025 Application Deadline: Apply Immediately . Application filing will be open at least through January 8, 2026 and will close any time thereafter. Compensation Range: $155,870 - $198,952 annually Becoming a City employee means being a part of a team that cares about making a difference. Your work will shape both the present and future of San Francisco. When you work for the City, you’re choosing a job with purpose. About San Francisco Child Support Services San Francisco Child Support Services (CSS) empowers parents to provide economic support for their children by furnishing child support services in the form of location of parents, establishment of paternity and support obligations, and enforcement of support obligations for the well-being of families and children. Our vision is to ensure that children receive the financial and medical support they need from their parents to be healthy and successful. CSS stands unique among other City departments not only due to our mission and vision, but also because of our size. With a total staff of 59, and within a highly skilled team environment, our people must autonomously perform a broader range of challenging duties than in many larger departments where responsibilities may be more compartmentalized. Job Description The Assistant Director serves as the department’s second-in-command and leads cross-unit integration, strategic initiatives, and organizational modernization. This role helps steer the department through major statewide reforms, strengthens workforce readiness, and ensures that operations, legal functions, and administrative systems work together to deliver equitable, consistent outcomes for families. Working closely with the Director and Head Attorney, the Assistant Director drives accountability, builds operational capacity, and represents the department in city, state, and federal forums. Reporting directly to the Director, the Assistant Director is responsible for driving cross-unit coordination, implementing strategic initiatives, and advancing systems and workforce improvements across the department. The Assistant Director will focus on accountability, modernization, and alignment with federal, state, and local mandates while ensuring SF DCSS remains a national leader in equitable child support services. The Assistant Director provides direct oversight of three divisions led by three managers: Administration: HR, Finance, IT, and Facilities Operations – Case Management Operations – Client Engagement In partnership with the Director and Head Attorney, the Assistant Director ensures these divisions operate as a coordinated system that supports efficient case flow, consistent policy application, and a strong client experience.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, social sciences, or a related field
Experience: Four (4) years of managerial experience in a public-sector or nonprofit environment overseeing child support operations or a closely related field, including direct supervisory experience.
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time work is equivalent to 2,000 hours. Overtime hours are not counted toward this total.
Conditions of Employment Incumbent must meet the following conditions of employment: Federal Tax Information Background Clearance: All CSS employees are required to possess and retain FTI Background Clearance as a condition of employment. (Upon any selection as a finalist, the employer provides the process for any FTI Clearance.)
Applicants must complete the Supplemental Questionnaire at the time of application submission.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in public administration, law, business, or a related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible public-sector or nonprofit leadership, including five years in management.
Deep knowledge of the child support program: establishment, enforcement, financial distribution, and performance measures.
Demonstrated success leading organizational reforms, workflow redesign, and complex compliance efforts.
Experience in labor relations, union environments, and workforce development.
Ability to interpret federal, state, and local policy and convert it into effective local practice.
Strong administrative, financial, and analytical skills, including use of dashboards and data to improve performance.
Commitment to equity, trauma-informed service delivery, and client-centered practice.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Integration Lead integration across Administration, Operations, and Legal to support seamless service delivery.
Chair the Leadership Council to set priorities, resolve cross-unit issues, and strengthen alignment.
Translate the Director’s strategic direction into clear operational plans with measurable follow-through.
Serve as Acting Director when assigned, representing the department with city, state, and federal partners.
Child Support Program Expertise Lead organizational readiness for state and federal reforms, including ability-to-pay/earning-capacity standards.
Ensure staff are trained, supported, and equipped to implement new workflows and performance expectations.
Convert mandates and policy guidance into accurate, practical local procedures.
Monitor program performance and compliance, and advise leadership on risks, trends, and required adjustments.
Labor Relations & Workforce Development Partner with the Administrative Manager on labor relations, contract interpretation, and workforce policies.
Lead workforce planning efforts, including vacancy management, succession planning, and staff development.
Promote a work environment grounded in accountability, clarity, respect, and equitable opportunity.
Operational Excellence & Accountability Oversee performance dashboards to ensure transparency and accountability to federal, state, and local standards.
Support Operations Managers in redesigning workflows to improve case management efficiency, reduce backlog, and improve outcomes for families.
Ensure all units adhere to federal, state, and local compliance requirements for child support program administration.
Change Management & Technology Integration Lead the rollout of major reforms and internal modernization initiatives.
Identify and implement technology and process improvements that enhance efficiency and client service.
Serve as the department’s change champion, building staff confidence and stability during transitions.
Adirondack Strategic & External Relations Partner with the Director on budget development, strategic planning, and citywide initiatives.
Represent the department in statewide and federal policy forums, advancing SF’s priorities and best practices.
Build relationships with local community stakeholders to expand access, strengthen fairness, and elevate client experience.