Salary : $147,975.36 - $179,863.84 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-Y3G-A
Department: Social Services Agency - DFCS
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 92

Description
Under general direction, to plan, organize, direct and control the operational activities and programmatic services for a licensed facility providing twenty-four (24) hour residential care for children; to manage clinical activities; to develop, interpret, implement, and evaluate programmatic changes, policies, and procedures; and to supervise staff within the residential program.

For questions regarding this opportunity, contact [email protected].
Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Serves as the facility Administrator, as defined by State regulations, responsible for ensuring compliance with licensing, staffing, clinical requirements and all related rules or laws related to this facility type;

• Oversees the integration and fidelity of trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-based practices, ensuring staff implement care aligned with these practices;

• Plans, organizes, and directs the facility program to meet the health, welfare and safety needs of the resident youth;

• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates annual programmatic goals; prioritizes and coordinates facility regulations and mandates, goals and objectives; ensures all services and documentation meet facility licensing and County standards and that all treatment services are aligned with evidence-based practices;

• Acts as liaison for the facility between other County programs and services and other federal, state, county and community agencies as necessary; serves as a central resource for department staff, other County departments, other public and private agencies, and the public regarding specific program assignments; meets the State of California's mandates for designation for operating a licensed facility;

• Assists in formulating, developing, and evaluating goals, policies, and procedures as they relate to the facility; organizes and conducts scheduled staff meetings to communicate new or revised policies, procedures, rules and regulations and provide clear direction and objectives on changes regarding programmatic components and operational activities of the facility;

• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence and supervises information and fiscal reporting procedures; identifies needs and provides recommendations for the facility and program budget; monitors related facility program documentation and, where applicable, supports the Medi-Cal claiming process;

• Selects and hires staff, and ensures the orientation, training and development of all staff working within the facility;

• Directs and evaluates the work of subordinate staff;

• Provides administrative and programmatic supervision for the staff, ensuring alignment of daily care activities with clinical treatment plans and facility program goals;

• Reviews and approves referrals for admission and supports staff in planning for intake, ongoing care, and discharge planning;

• Ensures staff are trained and supported in addressing youth substance use needs and maintain a safe, substance-free environment in accordance with facility licensing regulations and facility policy;

• Ensures staff members understand regulations including confidentiality, mandated reporting, scope of work and standard of care guidelines;

• Promotes staff wellness by fostering a supportive, safe, and resilient work environment; implements strategies to reduce burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue amongst staff;

• Monitors ongoing transition plans for youth that includes family, natural supports, and system partners in treatment and discharge;

• May carry a therapeutic caseload of the more complex cases of children and families, which includes conducting group psychotherapy; counseling residents, determining treatment goals and meeting other needs of youth and family, as indicated;

• Facilitates multi-disciplinary team meetings and child family team meetings;

• May provide direct services to support safety, supervision, and care for youth;

• Maintains current knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern the assigned programs and services, disseminates this information to and ensures compliance by subordinates;

• May prepare and make presentations to staff, boards, commissions, and external groups;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

When assigned to oversee a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP), may also perform the following:

• Functions as the Medi-Cal Head of Service, with responsibility for oversight of clinical services, treatment planning, and service delivery in accordance with Medi-Cal certification requirements;

• Oversees and ensures the delivery of reflective supervision to STRTP staff, including clinical supervision to licensed and licensed eligible staff in accordance with Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements and STRTP regulations;

• Leads the integration of behavioral health interventions within the daily programing and ensures treatment fidelity to youth care plans;

• Reviews all clinical casework assessments and case plans, and facilitates clinical case conferencing for sensitive and complex cases; ensures that licensed professionals are operating within the scope of their license and within facility and programmatic policy;

• Monitors and evaluates clinical compliance and effectiveness;

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Master's Degree or higher, preferably in Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Social Psychology, Psychology, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field.

and

Four (4) years of full-time supervisory, lead, and/or administrative management experience in the field of behavioral health or social work serving children and adolescent youth, including at least one (1) year of experience in a program providing residential care for children.
Special Requirements

• When assigned to oversee a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP), possess and maintain, for the duration of employment in this classification, one (1) of the following licenses or certification:
  1. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) as issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences;
  2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) as issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences;
  3. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) as issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; or
  4. Certified Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) as defined by State regulations and as issued by the Behavioral Health Services Department.

• Position may require Live Scan and other background clearances as required by licensing and County policies.

• Possess an Administrator's Certificate for the relevant licensing facility designation during the probationary period; and once obtained, maintain for the duration of employment in this classification.

• Position may require provider credentialing, prior to appointment; and once credentialing is received, to maintain credentialing for the duration of employment in the classification.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable children's programs, laws, statutes, ordinances, policies, and regulations governing the operation of a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program;

• Current trauma-informed theories, principles, and practices for services to children and adolescent youth with significant behavioral health needs;

• Co-occurring behavioral health and substance use needs in children and adolescents, and related trauma-informed care practices;

• Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology;

• Evidence-based practices for youth and families, including family systems theory and family therapy modalities relevant to children and adolescents in residential treatment;

• Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns;

• Principles of organization and administrative, fiscal and program management;

• Principles of employee hiring, supervision, discipline, staff wellness, training and development;

• Community and agency consultation methods and procedures;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct the operations of a 24-hour Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program;

• Train, develop and motivate staff, including fostering team cohesions, staff resilience to sustain a healthy workforce in a high-stress residential setting;

• Integrate family and natural supports involvement in youth care plans;

• Develop and present short and long range budget plans that accurately reflect program needs;

• Interpret, explain, and apply regulations, policies, and procedures;

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines, policies, goals, rules, and regulations;

• Analyze, evaluate, and make sound decisions;

• Prepare clear, accurate, and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials;

• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity and work with a diverse population;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;

• Use computer systems and applications.

Physical Requirements

• Work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays;

• Bend, stretch, twist, and reach;

• Carry up to fifteen (15) pounds;

• Restrain children or youth for the safety and protection of themselves and others.

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 an