Director of Social Services

Salary : $158,533.52 - $194,976.24 Annually
Location : Madera County, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Social Services
Division: Social Services Administration
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: ADPTH

* Please see the application process below.*

EBrochure: Director of Social Services
Individuals with experience in child welfare are encouraged to apply.

Additional management incentive pay may be approved to recognize the unique and expanded responsibilities of serving as the department head of Veterans Services and serving as the Public Guardian, Public Conservator, and Public Administrator.

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Department of Social Services including CalWORKs, Child Welfare Services, Adult Services, Veterans Services as well as other public assistance programs and general relief services; formulates departmental policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with other County departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among County departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups; serves as the Public Guardian/Public Conservator/Public Administrator; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the County Administrative Officer in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer. Exercises supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
Examples of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Department of Social Services' programs, services, andactivities including CalWORKs, Child Welfare Services, Adult Services, Veterans Services as well as other public assistance programs and general relief services and serves as the Public Guardian/Public Conservator/Public Administrator.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Department; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs Department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Monitors and implements legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine County needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Coordinates Department of Social Services activities with related federal, state, and local agencies to reduces County costs and maximize revenue from these sources.
• Implements service integration, assures the efficient delivery of services, and improves technology systems.
• Directs the Public Guardian/Public Administrator/Public Conservator Office responsible to administer the estates of deceased individuals without a will or an appropriate person willing or able to act as administrator; ensures the provision of individualized treatment, supervision, and placement of conservatees and manages their financial resources.
• Represents the department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of social services.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the County Administrative Officer.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the Department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Principles and practices of contract management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected Board of Supervisors.
• Principles, practices, and programs related to public assistance programs and general relief services and sources of funding impacting program and services development.
• Socioeconomic backgrounds, human behavioral problems, and other social factors effecting public social service programs.
• Community needs for public social service programs and services.
• Principals of social work and community organization.
• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to the work performed.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the department.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel, delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Provide expertise on the interpretation and analysis of legislation and regulations pertaining to social services.
• Effectively represent the County and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Direct the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both or all and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, sociology, behavioral sciences, or a closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a social service agency, to include at least three (3) years in a management capacity.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Application Process

To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, complete an online application through our website. A comprehensive application should reflect years and months of employment and beginning/ending dates. Please attach a copy of your resume and cover letter for optimal consideration. You may also submit career highlights or accomplishments as a supplemental document for further consideration. Review of applications and resumes will begin on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Our selection process is designed to identify the most qualified candidates. Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job posting. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews. Those deemed most qualified will be referred to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration. If you're selected, you'll be invited to participate in Round #1 Interviews in early November. Ideally, the final selection (Round #2) will be in mid November. The new Director of Social Services will begin work at a mutually agreeable date, ideally no later than December 2026.

*Final appointment by Madera County does require completion of comprehensive reference and background checks.*

Benefits of employment with the County of Madera include:

• 14 paid holidays per year;
• 1 sick leave day per month (unlimited accrual);
• 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year, vacation accrual increasing thereafter with years of service (45 days maximum accrual);
• Membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), with an