Deputy Director - Human Services Agency

Under general direction of the Director - Human Services Agency, plans, organizes, directs, and monitors the functions and activities of a department in the Human Services Agency. Department services may include any one or more of the following services provided by the agency: Child Welfare, Adult Protective, MediCal, Food Stamps, CalWorks, Employment, In Home Support, Homeless, Veterans, and General Relief, and all administrative services including fiscal, business technology, human resources, planning and strategy, contract management, quality assurance/control, and client appeal and hearings processes. 

This position is responsible to develop, implement and evaluate goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to the assigned services; provide effective leadership of agency staff; coordinate activities with other Agency divisions, County departments and outside agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director.  

Deputy Director-Human Services Agency is an at-will classification which is exempt from the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the delivery of outcome based comprehensive, multi-disciplinary mandated and discretionary services.
• Integrate and balance departmental services and activities with the activities of other Agency services so that overall support to clients is coordinated and comprehensive.
• Conceive, plan, and implement new services in alignment with the agency’s vision, mission, values, and strategic outcome goals.
• Act as liaison between the Director of the Human Services Agency and department staff to ensure that the department has adequate resources to provide both mandated and expected levels of performance and service outcomes.
• Direct, coordinate and participate in the planning, development, and delivery of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities that provide integrated services for the community and conform with all applicable regulations, codes and legal requirements.
• Direct the preparation of the department's portion of the agency's budget; administer and monitor the department budget to ensure the accomplishment of objectives within budget restrictions.
• Direct, coordinate and participate in the planning, research, development, application, implementation, and monitoring of grants and other fund development activities.
• Represent and promote the agency with public, non-profit, and community groups and organizations.
• Identify and facilitate program connections, service linkages, and activities within the Agency, County, and public or private entities.
• Interpret and explain applicable laws related to human services and make recommendations on issues.
• Research, prepare and interpret technical and administrative reports; prepare effective written correspondence as necessary.
• Select, supervise, train, monitor and evaluate managerial, professional, technical, and clerical personnel to result in expected performance goals. Activities will include regularly scheduled personal contact and 360 degree communication and feedback from staff within scope of supervision and management.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
 
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE 
 
The required knowledge, skills and abilities are most often demonstrated by completion of:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, psychology, social work or a related field; AND
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible managerial and leadership experience, preferably in human/social services entities; including at least two (2) years of upper management level experience.

Special Requirements:

• Depending on assignment, specific program knowledge and experience may be required.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver License.

DESIRED

• Master's degree in Social Work, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, or a closely related field

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Frequent driving using a personal vehicle and travel within the state is required. Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.
 
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class.  At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California).

To APPLY for this career opportunity, please submit an online application at www.venturacounty.gov/jobs and attach your current resume and cover letter illustrating your experience with all of the following:

• Your leadership experience with human services programs or related services.
• Indicate whether you would like to be considered for the Deputy Director position that oversees Children & Family Services or Administrative Services, or both positions.
• Your experience leading employees through complex system change, including the titles, sizes, and functions of staff you have supervised.
• Your experience assessing organizational cultures, building upon positive attributes, and fostering enhancements that empower staff to do their best work.
• Any community partnership enhancement initiatives you led and the outcomes.

Resume Evaluation: This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of resumes will occur the week of September 14, 2026. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The County reserves the right to advance exceptionally qualified candidates forward in the process at any time, regardless of the review schedule. To receive prompt consideration, please submit your materials by the first review date. All relevant experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.

Interview Process: Following a structured evaluation of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview. The top candidates, as determined by the panel, will then be invited to a second interview with Human Services Agency executive leadership. The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews, contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool.

Background Investigation: The selected candidate may be subject to a thorough background investigation, which may include inquiries into past employment, education, criminal history, and driving record. In addition, the successful candidate will undergo DOJ/FBI Live Scan fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to 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.

Contact Information: For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kim Mariscal at [email protected] or (805) 477-5153.