Under administrative direction, assists the Director of Health Care Services by directing and coordinating departmental activities and staff; acts for the Director of Health Care Services in his/her absence; and does related or other work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Assistant Director of Health Care Services is a single position class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system and is an at-will position. The incumbent assists the Director of Health Care Services with leading, managing and administering the programs, projects, functions, budgets, and activities of the Health Care Services Agency, and helps ensure departmental compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, requirements and policies, including the policies established by the Director of Health Care Services, the County Administrator, and the Board of Supervisors. The Assistant Director of Health Care Services reports directly to the Director of Health Care Services and functions as a direct extension of the Director’s authority. The incumbent interfaces extensively with external agencies and is expected to model a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including accountability for oneself and others.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in the class may expand beyond those identified in this specification.
Assists the Director with planning, organizing and directing the development and delivery of departmental services, including but not limited to those related to behavioral health services, public health services, veterans’ services, correctional health services, emergency medical services, and public guardian/conservator services; administers and executes policies and procedures for the operation of the agency and recommends courses of action or policy changes in assigned areas of responsibility.
Directs and participates in a variety of studies or projects, including studies resulting in recommendations regarding organization, services, space utilization, new positions, capital improvements and financing, long-range planning, operations, property control, management audits, and Board referrals and reports.
Assists with the development and implementation of departmental quality control and quality improvement programs and initiatives; analyzes and monitors performance indicators and ensures that departmental operations meet established standards; recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and superior customer service.
Assists with directing the activities of departmental staff through subordinate managers and supervisors; selects staff and evaluates performance; reviews and takes action on disciplinary matters. Assists with the development, management, and interpretation of Agency and Department policies, practices, regulations, and ordinances; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal, state and local legislation, regulations, and other directives to determine impact on operations; assists the Director in the preparation of the Health Care Services Agency legislative priorities; supports the county's overall legislative objectives.
Leads or assists the Director in the development, preparation, management, and review of Agency and Department budgets; plans for present and future equipment and facilities and the projects the need for personnel; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost efficiency options.
Directs and manages the effective development and utilization of technology to improve Agency and Department systems and processes; coordinates facility services including building and property maintenance, procurement and distribution of supplies, automotive fleet management, and insurance and liability programs.
Prepares, or directs the preparation of, complex narrative, statistical and other management reports for County management as well as external agencies; analyzes and summarizes data; prepares Board of Supervisors’ reports and related documents.
Designs grant projects, writes grant proposals, and implements and monitors grant projects.
Participates in meetings of the Board of Supervisors, its committees and policy groups, and represents the department in dealing with other agencies as assigned; confers with Health Care Services Agency management staff, conducts staff meetings, promotes community information and supports the departments as appropriate.
Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with federal, state and county officials, other counties, community groups, and the public; meets and confers with various agents to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems while fostering cooperation and avoiding duplication.
Maintains knowledge regarding broad trends and best practices in health care administration, public and behavioral health administration, and governmental programs, legislation and regulations;
Acts for the Director as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in public health, health care administration, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
Experience: Seven years of senior-level management experience in a large and complex public health care system, including responsibility for major program planning, budgeting, and implementation.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
License: Possession of a current California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and practices of public health care administration, including effective organization, administration, human resources management, fiscal management, and staff supervision; laws, regulations and practices common to community health programs; principles and practices of public procurement and facilities management; trends in the field of health care, as well as social, political and economic issues influencing health care program administration; public agency accounting, budgeting, finance, and organizational planning; methods of gathering and analyzing data, including statistical analysis; research methods, and report writing; principles and practices of public relations and customer service; program and grant development; modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to assigned operations.
ABILITY
Assist with planning, assigning and directing the staff and activities of a large, complex agency in a cost-effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, client departments, and pertinent stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; direct studies and projects objectively, creatively, and innovatively; conduct effective administrative research; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret and apply legal codes, regulations, rules and procedures pertaining to program operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and present short and long-range plans; oversee the development and utilization of effective automated systems; prepare and administer annual budgets and financial/statistical records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with Agency staff, other department managers, County officials, community groups, and the general public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility – frequent sitting for long periods; occasional walking, standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing stairs; frequent operation of a data entry device; frequent lifting of 5 pounds or less; occasional lifting of 5 to 30 pounds; Visual – constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking – frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Dexterity – frequent use of normal dexterity including writing and repetitive motion; Emotional/Psychological – frequent decision-making, concentration, and public contact; occasional public speaking; occasional dealing with emergency situations; occasional exposure to trauma, grief or death; Special Requirements – occasional working nights and/or weekends; occasional working alone or driving; Environmental – frequent work in a standard office environment; occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Notify Me when a Job Opens for the above position(s)