Full Job Description
The Human Services Agency (HSA) of the County of San Mateo is seeking a qualified Manager, Employment & Support Services. The current vacancy within HSA is under the Employment Services Branch (ES).
This incumbent will lead special projects and activities aimed at enhancing or supporting Employment Services, including but not limited to CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review (CalOAR), Child Care Program, Recruitment, contract development and monitoring, data and program performance, clerical support staff, and other special projects.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a social or behavioral science.
- Ability to serve as a change management resource.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative.
- Ability to understand, interpret and apply federal and state regulations.
- Ability to prepare state reports, data analysis, and prepare contracts.
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to changes.
- Supervision of staff at multiple locations.
- Knowledge of Child Care programs and contract providers.
- Experience with CalOAR state requirements.
- Experience with administrative support functions.
Requirements
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide high-level support to the Human Services Agency Employment Services Director as needed, completing multiple and varied projects and assignments as requested.
- Perform research and/or data gathering activities. Analyze and interpret data collected, and prepare periodic or special reports based on conclusions.
- Represent ES at interdepartmental, community and/or professional meetings and act as liaison/facilitator and Agency representative on various committees or councils. Follow up on action items resulting from these meetings or committees.
Monitor multiple contracts, review and process invoices and contractor reports, conduct site visits to evaluate compliance with contract requirements, identify issues for improvement and work with contractors to address these issues as needed.
Work with Contracts Unit to coordinate RFP processes, facilitate applicant conferences, etc.
- Communicate orally and in writing to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Schedule grievance hearings within the mandate deadlines.
- Assist with the development of the quality improvement activities;CalOAR and Strategic Planning.
- Management of multiple staff with different job duties at different locations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Departmental Status: An applicant must be a Human Services Agency employee with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Principles and practices of the specific social, community or public services area, including current trends in research, treatment, education, rehabilitation or related services.
- Principles and practices of the assigned social or community services areas, including current trends in research, treatment, education, rehabilitation or related services.
- Principles of budget preparation and monitoring.
- Principles of personnel training, supervision and evaluation.
- Laws, codes and regulations governing the specific social, community or public service program area.
Skill/Ability to:- Plan, direct coordinate, implement and evaluate program services.
- Work cooperatively with other County departments and public and private organizations.
- Analyze problems accurately, develop recommendations and take appropriate action to resolve them.
- Prepare complex and detailed written reports, procedures, grant applications and contracts.
- Speak effectively to diverse audiences, including professional, clinical and citizen groups.
- Apply principles and techniques of community organization, including community awareness, resource coordination, and mobilization of diverse community groups, as appropriate.
- Train staff and coordinate activities of contractors, volunteer groups and staff.
Education and Experience:Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, sociology, criminology, rehabilitation or a related discipline.
Experience: Two years of experience in a public, health, social services or community-based program that included responsibility for program planning, client or customer services, program evaluation, budget administration, or community resource coordination, of which at least one year included responsible supervisory experience.
Additional Information
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the
Human Services Agencywith at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely match the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel board examination (weight: 100%), which may include the evaluation of a written and or performance exercise given immediately preceding the interview. Selected applicants will be notified of the date, time and place of the tests.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the
"Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to
https://jobs.smcgov.org
to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight (unless otherwise stated) on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Monday, April 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Tentative Application Screening: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Tentative Combined Panel Interview: Thursday, April 30, 2026
About the CountySan Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Human Services Manager I)