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 December 2026. 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 9,000 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