County of Santa Clara

Program Manager III - Vietnamese American Service Center

County of Santa Clara$162K — $197K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; relevant experience can substitute up to seven years.
  • 7+ years of analytical, administrative, or management experience, 4 years at journey level.
  • Experience in managing health and/or human services programs.
  • Skilled in administrative processes like budgeting and personnel management.
  • Ability to engage with diverse community and multi-departmental stakeholders.
  • Strong conversational Vietnamese skills; Level I certification required.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, organize, and direct County program services to the public.
  • Facilitate complex coordination among County, local, and State resources.
  • Prepare reports and plans affecting County operations.
  • Collaborate with cross-department staff across the organization.
  • Set program objectives aligned with established goals.
  • Develop strategies for achieving program objectives.
  • Evaluate program outcomes and compliance with grants and contracts.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with no deductibles and co-pays.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays annually.
  • Robust retirement plans including CalPERS pension and a 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan.
  • Health Flexible Spending Account for tax-free healthcare expense contributions.
  • Dependent Care Assistance Program to help manage dependent care costs.
  • Life and AD&D insurance for financial security; Employee Assistance Program for mental health support.
  • Free wellness programming and resources to enhance employee well-being.
  • Education reimbursement for professional training and development.
Full Job Description
Salary : $162,745.44 - $197,855.84 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-B3H-A
Department: County Executive
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: 10/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 92

Description

Under general direction, to plan, organize, direct and control the activities and/or staff of a very large County program.

This position provides direct oversight of the behavioral clinic and key functions of the center's core operations. The Program Manager III will directly report to the VASC Director to ensure that the center's multi-disciplinary and multi-departmental operations: a) address critical community needs; b) are effective; c) are culturally and linguistically responsive; and d) are delivered in an integrated, customer-focused manner.

In addition to meeting the employment standards, candidates should possess experience in at least three (3) of the following areas:
  • Developing and managing health and/or human services.
  • Administrative processes such as personnel, policies and procedures, facilities, or budgeting.
  • Facilitating and maintaining partnerships with diverse community stakeholders and/or multi-departmental stakeholders.
  • Developing and implementing strategic outreach, public engagement, and communication strategies, including media relations, public presentations, culturally responsive messaging, and partnerships with community organizations.


The candidate should have strong Vietnamese conversational skills to participate in public speaking engagements and must be language certified in Vietnamese, Level I (Speak), or certify prior to the start of assignment, if selected. The candidate should also have the ability to work a flexible schedule to occasionally participate in evening and weekend events and address operational needs.

Typical Tasks

  • Plans, organizes and directs a County program that provides direct service to the public or other agencies;
  • Handles complex coordination between County, local and State resources;
  • Prepares staff reports and comprehensive detailed plans with Countywide impact;
  • Works closely with cross departmental staff at all levels of the organization;
  • Determines program objectives in light of established goals;
  • Develops strategies to achieve objectives;
  • Establishes program priorities;
  • Formulates and implements policies, plans and procedures for carrying out functions of the program;
  • Defines personnel resource needs and allocates them as required to reach program objectives;
  • Selects and hires staff and ensures the orientation, training and development of program staff;
  • Directs and evaluates the work of subordinate staff;
  • Establishes an appropriate organizational structure and delineates working level and relationships of personnel to carry out the program's activities;
  • Determines budgetary requirements to maintain the program;
  • Makes recommendations on the annual budget and may present the program's budget to the Board of Supervisors;
  • Is responsible for determining program funding needs and obtaining available outside funding when necessary through grants and/or contracts;
  • Is responsible for the implementation, control, monitoring and evaluation of provided services to ensure compliance with terms of received grants and contracts;
  • Maintains liaison relationships and represents the program in contacts with public and private agencies and concerned community groups and organizations;
  • Prepares reports and correspondence;
  • Keeps abreast of new trends and developments related to the program's activities;
  • Provides assistance and advice to advisory and planning boards, commissions, task forces and other special groups as required;
  • May prepare and make presentations to staff, boards, commissions, and external groups;
  • May provide ongoing statistical reports;
  • May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  • And performs related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are typically attained through training and experience equivalent to possession of a Bachelor's degree. Relevant experience can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. Relevant experience includes experience performing analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management duties, which include interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing.

AND

Seven (7) years of analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory or management experience which includes duties interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing; four (4) years of which must be at the journey level.

A Master's degree can substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Requirements
Specialized program knowledge may be required in addition to the generalized administrative/supervisory experience when it can be demonstrated that:
  1. it is an absolute necessity for the successful operation of the program;
  2. that the Program Manager will be held accountable for this specialized knowledge; and
  3. that subordinate program staff will not be able to provide the subject matter expertise that is required.

Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities listed below indicate the common aspects of the three levels of the Program Manager Series. However, for recruitment purposes, a potential candidate will be rated on ability to perform at a specific level as outlined in the allocation factors. In appraising experience, more weight will be given to the breadth rather than depth of pertinent experience and the evidence of the candidate's ability to assume and fulfill the responsibilities of the position at a designated level.

Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.

Knowledge of:
  • Program development and evaluation;
  • Techniques of organizing and motivating groups;
  • Personnel management techniques;
  • Methods of administrative problem solving;
  • Principles of organization and administrative, fiscal and program management; principles of employee supervision, training and development;
  • Community and agency consultation methods and procedures;
  • Computer applications, including but not limited to: word processing, spreadsheets, data base management software, presentation and electronic mail software.

Ability to:
  • Plan, organize, control and evaluate a public service program;
  • Manage initiatives, collect and analyze data for the purpose of evaluating services and or programs;
  • Plan and assign workloads clearly and effectively;
  • Train, develop and motivate staff;
  • Deal effectively with a variety of government and community officials;
  • Speak effectively in public;
  • Integrate the activities of a program to attain program goals;
  • Prepare and review reports;
  • Develop and recommend effective courses of action;
  • Develop and effectively utilize all available resources;
  • Establish and maintain program's objectives, priorities and policies;
  • Consult with and advise top administrator on the activities and status of the program;
  • Develop short and long range budget plans that accurately reflect program needs. May require the ability to apply the tools of a specialty subject area.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer Name
b) Job Title
c) Start Month/End Month Dates of Employment
d) Total Hours Worked per Week
e) Detailed Description of Job Duties
Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?
  • Yes
  • No

02

This position requires the ability to speak in both English and Vietnamese. If selected, you must be language certified in Vietnamese or certify prior to start of assignment. Do you understand and agree to this requirement?
  • Yes
  • No

03

What is the highest level of education you have completed?
  • High School or GED equivalent
  • College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
  • College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
  • College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
  • College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
  • College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • None of the above

04

How many years of analytical experience (i.e. experience interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing) do you possess?
  • No experience
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five to less than six years
  • Six to less than seven years
  • Seven to

About County of Santa Clara

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles. It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world. With more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, provides quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health protection, environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need. The County's population of nearly 1.9 million is one of the largest in the state, and the largest of the nine Bay Area counties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale ranging from Palo Alto to the north, to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of 1.035 million, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities. The County of Santa Clara operates 27 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Learn more about County of Santa Clara

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