Deputy Director, Human Services

Deputy Director, Human Services

Salary

$217,193.76 - $239,451.84 Annually

Location

Sacramento, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

27834-E

Department

County Wide

Opening Date

08/12/2026

Closing Date

10/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

8/26/2026, 9/9/2026, 10/7/2026 (Final)

Under executive direction, the Deputy Director, Human Services provides overall coordination of day-to-day operations for the department; and/or to provide direction to a branch or group of divisions; to act for the Director within delegated authorities; and to perform related work as assigned.

To learn more about available positions currently being recruited for, please click on the brochure link(s) below:

Deputy Director of Human Services, Behavioral Health Services Division Recruitment Brochure

• The eligible list for this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies for other areas not identified above.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Administrative principles and methods, including policy implementation, goal setting, program development and administration, and employee supervision
• Budget development and administration
• Principles and practices of conflict resolution
• Human services programs related to assigned area of service
• Governmental organizational structures
• Social, political and economic issues influencing area of responsibility
• Available public and private community resources

Ability to

• Plan, coordinate and administer a comprehensive branch program incorporating diverse services and programs
• Select, motivate and manage a large staff, evaluate performance and effectiveness and provide for their training and professional development
• Analyze and resolve complex administrative problems and negotiate effective solutions among diverse interests
• Coordinate and integrate multiple programs within the context of the county structure while addressing community concerns
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a large and diverse group of people encountered in the course of the work

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training and experience likely to provide the required Knowledge and Abilities for this class as described above. Typical ways include:

Possession of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a management field such as public administration, business administration, or health services administration; or in a related human service field such as social work, psychology, mental health, public health, health sciences, or sociology; or a closely related health field such as life sciences or physical sciences. A Masters degree is desirable.

And

Four (4) years of experience managing a major organizational unit or program within the field of human services delivery or human services administration with responsibilities for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of subordinate staff; and including program development and management, budget preparation and administration, development of policies and procedures, and supervision and evaluation of staff.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

Application and Testing Information

APPLICATION

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply.

County of Sacramento

Department of Personnel Services

Employment Services Division

700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

Email EmployOffice@Saccounty.net

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

www.SacCountyJobs.net

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicants computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
• Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.

Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.

• Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicants computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidates experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
• For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidates application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidates responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.

FORMULA RATE EXAMINATION (Weighted 100%)

All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination.

This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidates education, training and experience. The candidates application or other materials will not be included in this examination. Therefore, the candidates responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough, detailed and complete. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.

All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Notices can also be accessed in their governmentjobs.com inbox. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For information regarding County jobs:

www.saccountyjobs.net

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at dco@saccounty.gov or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit: Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees' current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)
• Deferred Compensation

More information can be found on the Benefits website

TEMPORARY POSITIONS:

Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions.

VACATION:

Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days.

HOLIDAYS:

14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

SICK LEAVE:

Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT:

Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement.

RETIREMENT:

The County's defined-benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website, http://www.scers.org

DENTAL INSURANCE:

For more information, visit the Benefits website

LIFE INSURANCE:

The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.

For more information, visit the Benefits website

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:

A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the Benefits website

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

More information can be found on the Benefits website

WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM:

The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT:

The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.

DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.

WORKERS COMPENSATION:

In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers Compensation laws of California.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FAQs

VETERANS PREFERENCE:

Military veterans who have served during wartime shall be given preference in initial appointment to County service. Such preference shall apply, provided the veteran has first achieved a minimum passing score in the examination. The passing score of a veteran shall be annotated to indicate the veterans score shall be regarded as 5 points or higher, OR 10 points higher for disabled veterans, only for the purpose of determining the three ranks along with which the veterans name shall be certified. No score shall actually be changed and no new rank shall be created as a result of application of veterans preference for certification purposes.

"Disabled Veteran" means any veteran who has served during wartime and, who, as of the final filing date for an examination is declared by the United States Veterans Administration or military service department to be 10% or more disabled as a result of his/her military service. Persons claiming eligibility for disabled veterans preference must submit to the employment office, on or before the application deadline date, a certification from the United States Veterans Administration or a military service department, dated within 1 year, which certifies the present existence of a service related disability of 10% or more, or other acceptable proof of such disability as a result of his/her military service.

Persons claiming eligibility for veterans preference must submit a copy of Form DD 214 or other acceptable proof of veterans status on or before the final filing date for the examination. For purpose of this rule "reserve" status does not constitute active duty.

SPECIAL SKILL QUALIFICATIONS (WHEN SPECIFIED ON THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT):

Persons who have special skills required by some (but not all) positions in a class may be certified ahead of others provided that:

Such special skills are based on the duties and requirements of the positions and are in conformance with merit system and equal opportunity principles, and

The certification of eligibles who possess special skills have been approved by the Civil Service Commission.

01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is the Civil Service Exam for this position and will be used to determine your exam score. All experience, education, and/or training used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on your application.

In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Each answer will be scored separately. References such as See Resume as a response will not be scored.

By continuing in the exam process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge.

• I have read and understood the above instructions.

02

The minimum qualifications for the Deputy Director, Human Services position is as follow:

Any combination of education, training, and experience likely to provide the required Knowledge and Abilities for this class (as described within the class spec). Typical qualifications include the following:

EDUCATION - Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a management field such as public administration, business administration, or health services administration; or in a related human service field such as social work, psychology, mental health, public health, health sciences, or sociology; or a closely related health field such as life sciences or physical sciences.

AND

EXPERIENCE - Four (4) years of experience managing a major organizational unit or program within the field of human services delivery or human services administration with responsibilities for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of subordinate staff; and including program development and management, budget preparation and administration, development of policies and procedures, and supervision and evaluation of staff.

Select the one box that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

• I possess the required qualifications as detailed above with the 'typical' education AND experience requirements.
• I do not possess the above listed 'typical' education AND/OR experience; however, the work experience and education sections of my application illustrate my combined education, training, and experience qualifications.
• I do not meet the minimum requirements for this position.

03

I understand that I must submit a copy of my transcripts or degree to verify that I meet the minimum education requirements. You must have met the requirement by the final filing date listed on the announcement. Copies of transcripts or your diploma must be attached or emailed to our office or you may be disqualified. Click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice if you have questions.

• I understand and have submitted, or will submit by the filing cutoff, a copy of my transcripts or degree to verify that I meet the minimum education requirements.
• I do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

04

Select all the boxes for which you possess the listed degree from an accredited college or university. If you do not possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, select none.

• Bachelor's degree in public or business administration
• Bachelor's degree in health services administration
• Bachelor's degree in social work or human services
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, mental health, public health, sociology, or health sciences
• Bachelor's degree in a closely related health field (e.g. life sciences or physical sciences)
• Master's degree, or higher, in public health (MPH)
• Master's degree, or higher, in public or business administration (MPA and/or MBA)
• Master's degree, or higher, in social work (MSW) or human services
• Master's degree, or higher, in a closely related field

05

Select all the boxes for which you possess the listed certification/license issued by the State of California. If you do not possess any of the listed State of California certifications/licenses, select none.

• None
• Registered Nurse license
• Public Health Nurse specialty certificate
• Nurse Practitioner Certification
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• Licensed Educational Psychologist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Medical Doctor
• Other Certification and/or License related to the class

06

List the certifications and licenses that you possess as well as the education you have completed at an accredited college or university. If you have no education, certifications, nor professional licenses, type None.

07

Select all the boxes for which you have four (4) or more years of paid high-level public sector management experience over the listed human services programs. If you do not have four (4) or more years of paid high-level management experience over any of the listed human services programs, select none.

• None
• Health (e.g. Primary Health) services programs
• Behavioral health programs
• Senior services programs
• Adult program services
• Child welfare programs
• Homeless services programs
• Strategic planning, data analytics, and program policy
• Administrative and finance (e.g. managing human services program administration, fiscal operations, and contracts)

08

Select all the boxes for which you have paid experience managing a major organization(s) and/or program(s) in the field of human services.

• Develop and evaluate proposals for programs, services, and projects to meet service needs and requirements
• Analyze and interpret legislation and regulations to establish procedures and standards for the delivery of program services
• Lead multi-division collaborative committees in an effort to develop and/or execute departmental strategic plans
• Coordinate activities of managers to solve systematic issues
• Represent the division/agency internally in the absence of executive staff
• Oversee the coordination of services with various public and private agencies
• Oversee and direct administrative functions, including administering grants, contract development and oversight, and budget administration
• Prepare and coordinate the preparation of complex reports detailing program services and operations data
• Lead the implementation of major system reform efforts
• Lead work groups to develop new and/or revise existing departmental policies
• Represent management in meetings with union/association representatives (e.g. contract negotiations, meet and confers, disciplinary matters, etc.)
• Utilize data to monitor, assess, and develop procedural changes to improve staff's performance
• Act as lead agency representative over collaborative efforts with external stakeholders and partners (e.g. State and legal entities)
• Collaborate with executives in an effort to develop communication strategies regarding socially sensitive matters
• Represent the division/agency externally in the absence of executive staff
• None of the above

09

Describe in detail your experience managing a major organization(s) or program(s) in the field of human services delivery or administration. List the employer/organization information, dates of employment, and your job title. Include in your response for each experience the size of the organization or program, the complexity and conditions you operated under, your role and duties, and length of experience. Also indicate the type of functions you managed, such as fiscal tasks, significant programs and their size, policy development, negotiation processes with labor organizations, and interactions with public and private agencies.

If you have no relevant experience, please type "None".

10

Select all the boxes for which you have public sector budget experience performing the listed management functions. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• Review and approve final division/department budget reports
• Review and prepare budget reports for large public human services programs with multiple funding streams
• Manage the review, planning, evaluation, and development of a division/department budget(s)
• Oversee the administration of fiscal controls and reporting processes
• Present budget reports to governing bodies
• None

11

Select all the boxes for which you have paid management level or higher experience representing a public human services agency. If you do not have relative experience, select none.

• Review, edit, and write agenda items for presentation to governing bodies
• Present to governing boards and/or commissions (e.g. Board of Supervisors)
• Publicly present to community stakeholders, partnerships (e.g. State and legal entities), and collaborations
• Represent program/agency publicly in collaboration with system and/or community partners
• None

12

Select all the boxes for which you have management level experience working for a public employer. If you have no relevant management experience, select none.

• Mentor, coach, and develop workforce
• Prepare and deliver performance evaluations
• Provide guidance and direction to managers regarding their handling of staff's performance and/or behavioral issues
• Execute progressive discipline and provide direction to managers or supervisors regarding progressive discipline related personnel actions
• Address staff grievances as dictated via labor contract agreements
• Resolve personnel conflicts and lead managers and supervisors in an effort to resolve and eliminate conflicts
• Interview, hire, and provide direction to subordinate staff regarding best practices associated with hiring and selection processes
• Conduct disciplinary investigations and provide direction to managers and supervisors regarding the disciplinary investigation process
• Evaluate staff productivity and achievements
• None

13

Describe in detail how you have utilized technology and/or data to improve workforce and organizational outcomes.

If you have no relevant experience, please type "None".

14

The County of Sacramento is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol free workplace. All persons selected for appointment must pass a drug test administered by the County and at no cost to the applicant.

I understand, if offered conditional employment, I will be subject to a drug test administered by the County as described in Sacramento County Personnel Ordinance Section 2.78.030.

• Yes
• No

15

Select the one box that best describes whether you have attended a career fair and/or job event where you have interacted with representatives from Sacramento County.

• Attended in the last one (1) - three (3) months.
• Attended in the last four (4) - six (6) months.
• Attended in the last seven (7) months - one (1) year.
• Attended an event more than one (1) year ago.
• Have attended a career fair and/or job event but did not interact with Sacramento County representatives.
• Have not attended a career fair and/or job event.

16

List the following for the career fair and/or job event you attended:

• Name of event
• Location of event
• Month and year of event

If you have not attended an event where you interacted with representatives from Sacramento County, please type "None".

Required Question

Employer County of Sacramento

Address 700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, California, 95814

Phone (916) 874-5593

Website http://www.saccountyjobs.net