Salary: See Position Description
Location : County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-8117-01
Department: Social Services
Division: Social Services-Administration
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
DescriptionTHE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA is seeking an innovative and service driven Director of Social Services to lead one of its largest departments and help shape the future of critical safety-net services. This executive will provide strategic leadership for more than 700 employees and a $241 million department, strengthening programs, partnerships, and services that improve the lives of children, families, older adults, and vulnerable residents. The ideal candidate brings executive leadership experience in a comparable human services environment, strong fiscal and operational acumen, and a collaborative, community focused approach to advancing whole-person care and improving outcomes. Apply today to lead with vision and make a lasting impact on the Santa Barbara County community.
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To Apply
Retirement Plans - Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
- Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
- For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and
Health Benefits - Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
- Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
- Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
- For more information on our health benefits, please visit:
Paid Time Off - Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
- Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
- Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
- Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
- For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)
Miscellaneous Benefits - County Paid Term Life Insurance
- County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
- Childcare and Employee Discounts
- Relocation Assistance may apply
- Flexible work schedule may apply
- For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:
Compensation Summary - To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:
*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
