What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager - Public Assistance position at Merit System Services?
Salary : $39.24 - $52.61 Hourly
Location : Hollister
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : MSS05068
Department : San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency
Opening Date : 02 / 19 / 2025
Closing Date : 3 / 5 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific
Position Information
Under direction, the Program Manager plans, organizes, and directs employment, eligibility, or social services programs and activities in a local public social services department or agency; and performs other duties as assigned. Some positions may have additional responsibility for administrative services units.
A Program Manager differs from a Social Services Program Manager in that the later plans, organizes, and directs programs and activities exclusively within Child Welfare Services and / or Adult Protective Services.
The Program Manager classification differs from the next higher level Deputy Director classification in that the latter typically has responsibility for multiple administrative and staff services work in areas such as personnel, administrative analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or data processing; eligibility, employment, or social service functions in a department or for a single program where two or more subordinate levels of supervision exist. In these departments, the Program Manager serves in a first-level managerial capacity.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Incumbents in the Program Manager classification receive supervision from a Deputy Director, Director, or other higher-level management classification. A Program Manager provides direct supervision to supervisors in the assigned program areas, and to other staff as assigned.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :
- Manage the daily work activities of a program or multiple programs, directly or through subordinate supervisors, by establishing performance levels, communicating goals and performance expectations, and monitoring and reviewing work to ensure conformance to established policies and procedures, and standards for quality and timeliness
- Assess service delivery to communicate findings to upper management, implement changes to improve efficiency and service quality, maximize effectiveness of program operations, and ensure alignment with the agency's mission
- Oversee personnel actions to determine compliance with policies and procedures, and provide guidance to subordinate supervisors regarding personnel matters
- Ensure that programs or work units are staffed with qualified individuals by resolving performance problems, documenting performance according to policy, training and developing staff, and assisting in the selection, hiring, and promotion of staff
- Interpret laws and regulations, including new laws and proposed legislation, to determine relevancy to department operations and services, and assess program compliance with laws and regulations
- Assess the need for changes to policies or programs based on initiatives to improve services, new services or program modifications, and opportunities for cross-collaboration of program areas
- Develop or revise policies or procedures to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, and assist higher-level management in departmental strategic planning
- Serve as an internal technical expert regarding program matters by providing consultation and guidance to staff, subordinate supervisors, managers, executive management, or the Director
- Work collaboratively with personnel of other agencies, community groups, contractors, and other public and private organizations to determine needs for social services, and coordinate shared services or collaborative projects, or the provision of services by contracted agencies
- Ensure that information regarding department services and policies is provided accurately and thoroughly to external parties, and that all complaints are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner
- Serve as an external technical expert by providing consultation regarding program, legal, or policy matters to external entities such as County department managers or administrators, State departments, Board of Supervisors, advisory boards, and advocacy groups
- Assist in development of the budget for assigned programs by preparing cost estimates and projections, and performing ongoing monitoring of expenditures to ensure compliance with budget provisions
- Perform other duties as assigned
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of :
Ability to :
Minimum Qualifications
Pattern 1 : One (1) year of full-time experience performing duties comparable to a Social Worker Supervisor I or II, Eligibility Supervisor, Employment and Training Worker Supervisor, or supervisory experience in administrative and staff services work in areas such as personnel, administrative analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or data processing in a public social services agency.
Pattern 2 : A graduate degree in public administration or business administration or a Master's Degree in Social Work or a Master's Degree from a two year counseling program; AND one (1) year of full-time journey-level experience in employment, eligibility, social service work, or administrative and staff services work in areas such as personnel, administrative analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting, or data processing in a public social services agency; AND one (1) year of full-time general supervisory experience.
Supplemental Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%
The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.
If conditions warrant, an Experience and Education examination may be conducted in lieu of the Training and Experience examination. Please review the Experience and Education examination information below :
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%
The Education & Experience examination is based solely upon information provided from the application and supplemental information (e.g., resumes, transcripts). Information provided from the application and supplemental information will be assessed compared to a standard developed in relation to the elements of the. Special care should be taken to submitting a complete description of your education and experience relevant to the typical tasks, scope, and minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin. Supplemental information will be accepted, but competitors should read this bulletin carefully to determine what kind of information will be useful to those individuals completing the evaluation. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of San Benito. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications : Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
ABOUT SAN BENITO COUNTY
San Benito County is in the Coast Range Mountains in California, only 45 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, bordering Santa Clara County and adjacent to the San Francisco Bay Area. The County enjoys a high comfort rating, with an average of 262 sunny days per year and mild temperatures year-round. Another aspect of the comfort level is the low crime rate, which falls anywhere from below to significantly below the national average in all measured categories. One of the historic California missions, San Juan Bautista is in San Benito County, as well as numerous quaint towns and communities. Within the County, there are 12 school districts, and several private, religious and charter schools, all providing students with a quality education. Residents and visitors also enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities here, at Pinnacle National Park, championship golf courses, skydiving, cycling, geological walks and is reputed to sport the best views in California.
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.
Salary : $39 - $53
