Job Link Section Manager

Full Job Description

The Job Link Section Manager in the Employment and Training Division of the Human Services Department is responsible for providing oversight and strategic direction to the Sonoma County Job Link program.

Job Link is a one-stop employment and training center for employers, job seekers, and workers, and the program is supported by approximately 20 dedicated technical and professional staff.

Oversight of Job Link and related programs is provided by the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), an advisory group that consists of local business and industry members.

Additional duties include:

• Providing oversight and strategic direction to Sonoma County Job Link
• Providing oversight and strategic direction to Employment Services Supervisors who supervise Employment and Training Counselors and Computer Lab Support Specialists
• Providing oversight and direction to Program Planning and Evaluation Analysts who provide policy analysis and guidance on funded services for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and who supervise Employment and Training Program Coordinators
• Liaising with WIB members and staff including attending and presenting at meetings
• Providing oversight and guidance to program staff regarding business processes and changes and workload coordination
• Reviewing statewide regulations and guidance and implementing changes in coordination with department staff
• Researching, writing, and managing grants and contracts
• Managing the recruitment and hiring process as well as budget analysis and planning
• Attending community, regional, and statewide meetings representing Sonoma County Employment and Training programs
• Maintaining relationships with community partners including the Department of Health Services, community-based organizations, individual providers, schools, and others

The ideal candidate for this position will possess many of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, gerontology, public administration, business administration, economics, psychology, sociology, or a closely related area
• Significant knowledge of and experience in WIOA programs and services, or in another publicly-funded workforce development program serving individuals with barriers to employment
• Familiarity with the local economic landscape of Sonoma County, including knowledge of local industry sectors, in-demand occupations, and training programs that address workforce needs
• Experience with program development, program management, and recent staff supervision
• Expertise in publicly-funded programs that are highly regulated and have complex and significant administrative requirements
• An understanding of and demonstrated experience with Trauma-Informed Care and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• A positive attitude, a growth mindset, and skills in adaptive leadership
• Experience working with advisory boards and community or business groups
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with project management, change management strategies, and budget management
• Experience engaging community groups around the issues of poverty and self-sufficiency
• Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department’s mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill a full-time Job Link Section Manager position in the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Human Services Section Manager.

Requirements

Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.

Five years of experience providing social services, employment and training, services for children and families, services to older adults, or economic assistance services, including at least two years in a supervisory or administrative capacity would provide such opportunity. Specific experience related to the assigned division may be required for designated positions.

Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.

Normally, graduation from a college or university with a degree in social work, gerontology, public administration, business administration, economics, psychology, sociology, or a closely related area would provide this opportunity. A Master’s Degree in a field related to the assigned division is highly desirable and may be required for some positions.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of: the legislation and laws which regulate the operations of the Human Services Department or the Department of Child Support Services; modern methods of human services or child support enforcement administration; techniques, principles and work of the assigned section; social and economic problems which call for the use of public and private county services; the principles and practices of personnel management, employee supervision, and training.

Ability to: plan, organize, coordinate and direct the work of a section of the Human Services Department or the Department of Child Support Services; select, train, and supervise staff; develop, evaluate, and analyze operational policies and procedures; analyze problems and complaints and identify solutions; prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports; communicate orally and in writing on a variety of issues; understand, interpret and apply procedures, laws, rules and regulations as they apply to assigned area; ensure proper compliance with federal, state and local guidelines, policies, goals, rules and regulations; develop and maintain harmonious relationships with employees, public officials, community groups, other agencies and the general public.

Additional Information

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria.

Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications.

Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments.

This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process.

Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race.

This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire.

Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination.

Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.Additional Information A background investigation is required prior to employment.

Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation.

Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy.

Reference information will not be made available to applicants.Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position.

If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.

You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.How To ApplyApplications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org.

Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail.

All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement.

Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging.

We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.

The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.HR Analyst: EPHR Tech: VH