County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the County Administrative Officer, the incumbent supports the strategic vision of Alameda County by effectively planning, organizing and directing the local Child Support Services programs; generates community awareness and interest in the program, and enlists support in achieving the goals and objectives of the department; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single position class directs all activities of the Child Support Services Department. This is a department head position and is subject to Federal and State laws and regulations and County ordinances. The Director establishes and maintains programs to collect support payments from absent parents for custodial parents and their children, as well as providing such services as locating absent parents, establishing paternity, obtaining, enforcing, and modifying child support and health insurance orders, and collecting and distributing payments.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, controls and evaluates the operation of the Department by establishing and maintaining Departmental policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.

2. Provides day-to-day leadership for Department employees through communication and demonstration of the organization’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

3. Directs the preparation, evaluation, and overall management of budgets, and ensures appropriate fiscal controls and reporting processes within the policies and procedures of the Board of Supervisors. Works with the State on departmental funding issues.

4. Through subordinates, supervises the overall activities, litigation, selection, training, and professional development of child support attorneys and other professional and technical staff in the department.

5. Directs operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce service administrative and service provision costs.

6. Ensures effective utilization of available resources by managing organizational change, allocation of staff resources, and work processes.

7. Ensures automated management information systems are sufficient to sustain the efficient delivery of services.

8. Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with State, County, other counties, community groups, and the public relating to services provided by the Department. Confers with advisory bodies creating linkages with internal/external customers for efficiency and alignment of strategic business practices.

9. Provides recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on issues germane to the Department.

10. Seeks out information and performs analysis to anticipate potential issues, trends and best practices, benchmarks with other organizations, and keeps abreast of changes in law and regulations pertaining to the Department’s service and enforcement programs.

11. Identifies and prioritizes key processes for improvement based on employee and customer feedback; process measurements and industry trends; confers with the State Department of Child Support Services regarding changes to the child support program, regulations, performance goals, and audit requirements.

12. Reviews, analyzes and interprets legislation and regulations; develops, recommends and establishes the implementation of policies and procedures for compliance; consults with legal counsel regarding legal and operational requirements for the department. Makes presentations to regulatory, governing, and related councils and boards.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public or business administration or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time senior-level managerial, administrative or supervisory experience relating to the planning, organizing, and directing of various functions of a child support collection enforcement agency. Possession of a Master’s degree with a major in public or business administration or a closely related field can be substituted for two of the five necessary years of experience.

OR II

Any combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to one of the patterns listed above and will provide the required knowledge and abilities.


License:

Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license is required.

Special Requirement:

A thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted of all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure they are suitable for Child Support related work. A felony conviction will be disqualifying.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Government programs at the Federal, State, and local level (knowledge of child support programs is desired, specifically the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders, and principles and practices involved in collection procedures).
• Federal, State, civil and criminal laws, decisions, opinions, regulations and performance measures applicable to the delivery of the child support program.
• Child Support practices and procedures of the local courts.
• Principles and effective practices of modern management and administrative principles and methods, including program development, goal setting, strategic planning, benchmarking, and process improvement techniques; administrative, supervisory, and personnel principles and practices in the public sector; training models and techniques.
• Principles and practices of public sector/government budget development and administration.
• Systems resource analysis and management of automation systems as related to the delivery of child support services.
• Social, political and economic issues influencing program administration.


Ability to:

• Understand and integrate the County’s operations and organizational structure.
• Direct and coordinate all aspects of child support program administration; provide leadership within the child support field.
• Manage complex organizations including goal setting, budget management, personnel administration and strategic planning; analyze complex problems and recommend solutions; analyze and implement program mandates.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff.
• Direct, evaluate, and streamline work and automation processes.
• Identify existing and potential problems and effect appropriate solutions; analyze and interpret statistical data and reports, and legal and administrative directives.
• Interpret, apply, and explain County policies, as well as state and federal legislation related to child support activities.
• Effectively and persuasively communicate both orally and in writing to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity or idea; negotiate agreements between differing individuals and/or groups.
• Represent the County under diverse circumstances and prepare and deliver oral presentations to small and large groups.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s Mission, Credo and Goals.
• Lead in a manner that is visionary, strategic and innovative when working towards change.
• Collaborate with other Agencies and Departments to meet overall county-wide needs while leveraging financial and other resources.
• Use business acumen to build a strong organization which delivers results.
• Provide the highest level of service delivery to diverse customers.
• Use interpersonal skills to communicate effectively.
• Promote personal and professional growth for self and others.
• Work effectively as a member and leader of diverse teams.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RE:se 12/13/06
Newspec: 3170.doc
CSC Date: 12/20/06
JP:po Revised 3/11/09
CSC Date: 4/22/2009
RE Dept Head Project 3/2012

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.