Social Services Program Administrator

CalHR•Merced, CA

About The Position

Under general direction, the Social Services Program Administrator assists with planning, organizing, administering, and managing the operations, functions, and programs of the Social Services Branch and Area Agency on Aging within the Merced County Human Services Agency. This is a second-level supervisory and first-level management position, responsible for assisting with general branch and agency management and directing, managing, supervising, and coordinating a group of teams in Children's or Adult Services. The position assists with fiscal and personnel management, program planning and evaluation, and development and control of the branch budget. It provides guidance on federal and state social services laws, supports grant applications, monitors and evaluates programs, addresses complex case and service-delivery issues, and ensures compliance with legislative and regulatory changes. When delegated, the administrator serves as Deputy Director of Human Services Agency-Social Services and Director of the Area Agency on Aging.

Requirements

Three years of professional-level work experience in social services, including experience in areas such as personnel, administrative analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or data processing.
At least one year of work experience in a supervisory capacity.
A graduate degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; or a master's degree in social work; or a master's degree from a two-year counseling program.
Knowledge of County Human Services Agency functions, policies, programs, and procedures; social and aging services administration and recordkeeping; social casework; community resources; and applicable laws and regulations.
Knowledge of automated eligibility and social and aging service delivery systems, State Department of Social Services policies and functions, budget development and expenditure control, public personnel management, and business and public administration.
Knowledge of employee management, supervision, training, and development, and Public Guardian/Conservator/administration management, including the CWS/CMS automation program.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, manage, and coordinate social services and Area Agency on Aging units and programs; supervise, train, develop, and evaluate staff; and assist with budgets and expenditure control.
Ability to review staff work, resolve problems, assist with implementation of automated systems, and manage unit statistics, records, and reports.
Ability to represent the Agency effectively, communicate and make presentations, establish cooperative working relationships, meet deadlines under stressful conditions, resolve conflicts, handle multiple priorities, and maintain confidential information.
Ability to use a personal computer and modern office equipment, communicate effectively in person and by telephone, and maintain regular attendance.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
Applicants must possess integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively, and health consistent with performing the assigned duties. A medical examination and background investigation may be required.

Responsibilities

Assist with the general management and administration of the Social Services Branch and Area Agency on Aging, including fiscal management, personnel management, and program planning and evaluation.
Plan, organize, direct, manage, and coordinate the operations, programs, and services of an assigned group of teams within the Branch.
Interpret federal and state laws concerning social service programs and serve as a resource to staff.
Participate in developing, administering, and controlling the Branch budget; assist with budget development and expenditure control.
Assist with preparing and presenting grant applications and develop, monitor, and evaluate social service programs.
Consult with staff on complex social service cases and service-delivery problems, and take corrective action to improve service quality and efficiency.
Research legislation and programs for local impact, establish activities to meet goals, and ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory changes.
Conduct studies and analyses to maintain the quality and efficiency of social services.
Respond to sensitive complaints from the community, foster parents, and staff.
Represent the Human Services Agency and assigned functions on committees, associations, and groups, and in contacts with the public and other agencies.
Provide direction, supervision, training, development, and work evaluation for Branch staff.
Review staff work and resolve problems; support implementation and conversion of Branch functions to new automated systems.
Direct the development, maintenance, and implementation of unit statistics, records, and reports.
Develop and maintain cooperative intra-agency and inter-agency teams.
When delegated, serve as Deputy Director of Human Services Agency-Social Services and Director of the Area Agency on Aging.