Director, Office of Children and Families Policy

Under general direction of the Social Services Agency (SSA) Deputy Director, to identify the most critical needs of children and families in Santa Clara County and to provide data and evidence-based recommendations for transformational policies, programs, and systems coordination that support and strengthen coordinated early intervention and prevention practices, as well as trauma informed care. This position will serve as the catalyst for solutions-oriented, multi-disciplinary approaches to improving the lives of children and their families.

Filing Period and Application Procedure:

Final Filing Date: Friday, 3/21/2025. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after issue date.  You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.

This recruitment requires the submission of an online application. No paper applications will be accepted. Applicants must apply online at www.sccjobs.org.

It is important that the following information be included in your application packet as it will be evaluated during the competitive review process: 
1. Résumé;
2. References contact information (minimum of 3);
3. Cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate including specific examples from your experience (maximum of 3 pages);
4. Complete responses to the supplemental questions.
 
Questions regarding this Executive recruitment may be directed to Quynh Truong, Executive Services at (408) 315-9559 or quynh.truong@esa.sccgov.org

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• Provides leadership in children and families policy development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on services for children and families in collaboration with all relevant County departments and agencies;
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and monitors cross-agency and Countywide programs to improve services to support greater alignment and shared expertise relating to programming and legislation affecting high-risk children and youth;
• Provides data and evidence-based recommendations for transformational policies, programs, and systems coordination;
• Establishes relationships and partnerships with key partners including but not limited to County departments, cities, school districts, and other local, state, and regional children and youth policy-focused organizations and initiatives to ensure alignment and propagation of evidence-based practices throughout the county;
• Develops and pursues advocacy strategies, including legislative changes through the County’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs as it relates to the Office of Children and Families Policy’s objectives;
• Oversees administrative support for the Youth Task Force, an advisory body of Santa Clara County youth who support and advise the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors (BOS) on matters pertaining to youth;
• Conducts research and periodically issues briefs, policy position documents, reports, fact sheets, or newsletters on children and families policies tailored to both internal and external audiences;
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities;
• Provides guidance and information on budget and resource needs across County departments to assess and evaluate County investments in children and families services, programs, and initiatives;
• Represents the County with other local, state, and federal agencies as well as non-profit organizations, as it relates to children and families issues;
• Reviews and evaluates, in conjunction with County’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, County Counsel, and department colleagues, interpretation of court rulings, legal mandates, or policy changes that impact children and families programs and services;
• Provides periodic briefings to County Administration and other key stakeholders on the status of key policy and partnership activities that support children and families priorities, including the Board of Supervisors and internal committees;
• Responsible for select pilot initiatives contract administration, including the solicitation process and monitoring;
• Plans, organizes, manages, evaluates, and directs the operations and staff of the Office of Children and Families Policy;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required; and,
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Considerable education, training and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above management responsibilities and possession of the following knowledge and abilities.

The required knowledge and abilities would typically be acquired through education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Psychology, Education, Business, Public Administration, or a related field and a minimum of five (5) years administrative experience directing or overseeing the planning, delivery of services, and functions in a serving children and families program in a large organization. Child and families policy work in the fields of education, social work, health, or early childhood development is preferred.

Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local legislation policies in areas affecting children and families such as child welfare, early childhood, education, health, child poverty, racial equity, and social justice;
• Current trends in the areas of children and family services, including applicable legislative developments;
• Principles and practices of goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation necessary to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and monitor the functions of a governmental program focused on improving services to children and families;
• Policy analysis and methods for developing and advocating public policies focused on improving services to children’s and families’ issues;
• Principles and methods of public administration, organizational development, and grants management;
• Principles and practices of personnel management and supervision, performance evaluation, training, and labor relations;
• Problem solving techniques, project management, and creative resourcefulness;
• Problems in the delivery of children’s and families’ services common to the operation of community programs, schools, local city and county governments, and law enforcement agencies; and,
• Principles and techniques of management analysis, public policy analysis and evaluation, and organization design necessary to formulate, implement, and monitor systemwide policies and procedures.
  
  

Ability to:

• Effectively plan, organize, manage, and monitor the functions of a governmental program providing strategic planning efforts to improve services to children and families;
• Identify, analyze, and evaluate children and families programs or initiatives and implement effective solutions;
• Lead the collection, compilation, and assessment of data to make evidence-based recommendations;
• Effectively represent the County and Social Services Agency with other departments, agencies, community organizations, schools, and law enforcement agencies;
• Interpret and apply provisions of federal, state and local legislation, rules and regulations pertinent to the administration of service delivery to children and families;
• Direct and organize research on federal, state, and local policies and legislation affecting children and families programs, services, and initiatives;
• Integrate principles and practices of equity in all aspects of work;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; and,
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Salary : $193,939 - $248,834