Health Services Manager I - Public Authority (Open)

Salary : $139,734.40 - $174,720.00 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: D023AQ
Department: Aging and Disability Services
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 50B

Description
San Mateo County Health is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the Health Services Manager I - Public Authority within Aging and Disability Services (ADS).
There is currently one vacancy.
About the Role

This position oversees the administration of the Public Authority (PA) for In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in San Mateo County.
Important Note: The PA Health Services Manager (HSM) is not a County classified position; however, the role reports directly within ADS. The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified and regular classified vacancies.
This is a full-time position working Monday-Friday. A hybrid schedule may be available; however, approximately four on-site workdays per week are anticipated based on operational needs and County requirements. The position is currently located in San Mateo, CA, but will relocate to South San Francisco, CA, planned for March 2027. The role requires travel throughout the County and periodic travel within the State of California.
About the Public Authority

Established by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1993, the Public Authority administers the care provider components of the County's IHSS program.
IHSS supports Medi-Cal eligible individuals who are aged, blind or disabled of any age so they can safely remain in their homes as an alternative to institutional care.
The Public Authority:

• Serves as the employer of record for approximately 10,000 IHSS care providers
• Operates a Registry that recruits, screens, and refers care providers
• Conducts background checks in accordance with IHSS regulations
• Provides training opportunities to enhance care provider skills
• Offers support to both consumers and care providers to promote successful working relationships
• Administers payroll, personnel services, health benefits, and COBRA
• Maintains employment records, conducts verifications, and responds to subpoenas
• The PA is advised by the Public Authority Advisory Committee, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, with a majority of the members being current or former IHSS consumers.

About the Position

The Health Services Manager I provides leadership and oversight of all Public Authority operations. Current staff includes Supervisors, Payroll/Personnel staff, Registry and Training Specialists, Social Workers, and Office Specialists, along with extra-help staff assigned to special projects.
The HSM:

• Provides staffing and strategic support to the Public Authority Advisory Committee
• Works collaboratively with County Board of Supervisors staff
• Represents the PA at meetings with other collateral agencies, including the Health Plan of San Mateo
• Participates in State and Regional Public Authority meetings
• Represents ADS on broader County initiatives, performance measures, and cross departmental projects, as needed
• Delivers managerial oversight and conducts complex, direct consultations to support consumers in utilizing program services
• Provides managerial support to other areas of ADS, as assigned
• This leader must bring strong systems-thinking, collaboration and political acumen within a social service landscape. The role requires the ability to analyze and interpret data; remain current with County, State and Federal regulations; and anticipate trends affecting homecare, IHSS, and Public Authority operations.

As the homecare field and IHSS program continue to evolve, the HSM must demonstrate confident leadership during periods of ambiguity, regulatory change, and organizational transition.
Key Responsibilities

The Health Services Manager I - Public Authority will:

• Provide strategic direction for budgeting, operations, quality assurance, quality improvement, and emerging priorities
• Oversee program performance and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, agreements and policies
• Apply strong critical thinking and analytical skills to translate data, metrics, and measurable outcomes into operational improvements
• Lead process improvement efforts and modernize workflows through adoption of new technologies and automated systems
• Provide guidance to staff and direct support to consumers experiencing complex psychosocial challenges that hinder connection to care providers
• Communicate persuasively, clearly, and professionally with diverse audiences, including staff, advisory boards, County leadership, and external partners
• Represent ADS in broader County projects, initiatives, performance measurement efforts
• Provide managerial support to other areas as assigned.

The ideal candidate will be:

• An experienced manager in medium-to-large health and/or human service programs
• Able to incorporate demonstrated experience working with at-risk and diverse populations, including individuals with complex care challenges, to support staff, consumers, and care providers
• Knowledgeable about social services, health services, IHSS, and Public Authority operations
• Experienced in applying process improvement strategies such as Lean Methodology to examine workflows and enhance services for consumers and care providers
• A courageous and independent thinker who is curious, project-management focused, and comfortable implementing new technologies and processes
• Politically astute, with experience working effectively with County and State officials and Board-appointed advisory committees
• A strategic thinker who identifies opportunities to enhance or expand services while aligning operations with available resources
• A collaborative leader who promotes integrated system of service across agencies and partners
• Adept at prioritizing competing responsibilities and synthesizing complex issues into clear, actionable direction

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

• Plan organize, supervise, and evaluate specialized services and program activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities.
• Prepare budget recommendations, cost estimates, and justifications; monitor expenditures to ensure objectives are achieved within approved funding levels.
• Assist in negotiating, administering, and evaluating contracts with vendors, consultants, and partner organizations.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationship with public and private organizations, County departments, and community stakeholders.
• Provide consultation and guidance to staff assisting consumers and care providers with complex care issues, complicating access to program utilization
• Provide information to the public and ensure compliance with applicable health-related issues.
• Provide staff support and policy guidance to executive leadership on program-related issues.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate professional, technical and clerical staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Education: Bachelor's degree with a major in public health, social work, public administration, or a related field applicable to the area of specialization.
Experience: One year of supervisory experience in a health, social services or community-based program that included responsibility for program planning, client services, program evaluation, budget administration, or community resource coordination.
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of community health care including current trends in research, treatment, prevention, education and related services.
• Principles of budget preparation and monitoring.
• Principles of personnel training, supervision and evaluation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Apply principles and techniques of community organization, including community awareness, resource coordination, and mobilization of diverse community groups.
• Organize, direct and coordinate program services.
• Work cooperatively with other County departments and public and private organizations.
• Analyze problems accurately, develop recommendations and take appropriate action to resolve them.
• Prepare complex and detailed written reports, procedures and contracts.
• Speak effectively to diverse audiences, including professional, clinical and citizen groups.
• Train staff and coordinate activities of contractors, volunteer groups and staff.

Application/Examination
Open. Anyone may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM PSTApplication Screening: Wednesday, November 18, 2026Panel Interviews: Friday, December 4, 2026

01

IMPORTANT: Applicants must submit responses to the supplemental questions below. These responses are a critical part of the evaluation process and will be carefully reviewed by subject matter experts. They should clearly and concisely describe your relevant work experience, training, and education as they relate to this position.Please respond to all parts of each question with specific examples that reflect your individual experience and expertise. Strong responses are authentic, well-organized, and demonstrate attention to detail, clarity of expression, and the ability to follow instructions.A resume will not be accepted in place of the required responses.

• I have read and understand this important information.

02

Describe specific aspects of your education and professional experience that have prepared you to manage and adapt a health, social services, or community-based program in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment. Be specific.
03

Describe a specific example in which you had to adjust your supervisory or leadership approach to address a complex operational, personnel, or organizational challenge. Be specific.
04

Describe a specific initiative in which you led operational, systems, or process improvement efforts within a health, social services, or community-based program. Be specific.
05

How did you learn about this position?

• County