Human Services Program Director-Department Promotional-DHS

Human Services Program Director-Department Promotional-DHS

Salary

$8,946.86 - $10,692.33 Monthly

Location

100 E. California Ave., Bakersfield, CA

Job Type

Full time

Job Number

10156

Department

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Opening Date

09/15/2026

Closing Date

9/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Information

This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open to eligible employees of the Department of Human Services.

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE:

• Oral Exam: will be conducted the week of October 5, 2026.

Examination:

Oral Exam (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of appraising the applicants training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position.

The Human Resources Division may conduct an appraisal of application materials should there be an insufficient number of candidates to warrant an oral exam. Should an appraisal be necessary, the appraisal will be weighted at 100%

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Examination components for promotional testing will be administered during the scheduled date/time/location without exception.

Minimum Qualifications/Employment Standards:

Completion of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, AND three (3) years experience in a social services agency supervising employment and financial services, adult/child services, or administrative services. Qualifying experience may be attained in a public, private or nonprofit agency.

Positions Assigned to Department of Human Services:

At least one (1) year of experience must have been as a Department of Human Services Assistant Program Director or Human Services Program Specialist.

OR have an Associates Degree and five (5) years of supervisory experience with one (1) of those years as an Assistant Program Director or Human Services Program Specialist.

Other qualifying experience may be attained in a public, private or nonprofit agency.

Additional Requirements:Some assignments may require additional experience as listed in #1 or #2 below:

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Child Welfare Services crisis intervention, court related activities including but not limited to; Emergency Response, Adoptions or Court Intake.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Employment and Financial Services, which may include but not be limited to Employment Services, CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal.

Possession of a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operators License is required upon appointment.

Please ensure applicable materials are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach application materials to your application, you may deliver a copy to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or email HR@kerncounty.com

Bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a bilingual (English/Spanish) certificate before the final filing deadline. Applicants who wish to be considered for bilingual employment must submit a bilingual certificate issued by the Kern County Human Resources Division or its authorized agent, Bakersfield College.

Access the following website for information about where to obtain a qualifying certificate: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/academics/career-education/bilingual-testing.html

Employees who occupy positions designated as bilingual are paid dependent upon the required level of proficiency.

Full Human Services Program Director Job Description

This position works within the Department of Human Services of Kern County. For more information about the department , please view their website here.

About Kern County

Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.

To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:

Growth Mindset

We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.

Additional Information

Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.

Appointees are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal records check as authorized by section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions code and section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code.

This examination will establish an eligible list from which immediate appointment(s) will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates are encouraged to indicate acceptable geographical locations in which they would accept employment on their application form. Candidates MUST be willing to travel to these locations (areas/district offices).

For more information regarding Kern Countys recruitment process, please see our FAQ page.

Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Kern County Employee Benefits

• As a regular or provisional employee of Kern County, working twenty (20) hours or more per week, you are presently eligible for the following benefits as described below:

Health Insurance: (Medical/Dental/Vision): Kern County offers five affordable medical options. Kern Legacy Health Plans are medical and prescription health plan options administered directly by the County of Kern. Kaiser Permanente is also an option. Employees may also choose from two dental plans; Liberty Dental PPO or HMO. The vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP).

Retirement Program: Kern County Employees Retirement Association (KCERA). This Section 401 (a) defined benefit retirement plan requires employer and employee contribution and pays retired employees a pension based on salary, years of service, and age upon retirement.

Deferred Compensation: This section 457 plan allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to a supplemental retirement account which is then paid out to them when they retire.

Social Security Administration:

Note: Both Kern County and the employee contribute to Social Security and Medicare as follows:

• The County of Kern withholds 6.2% for Social Security (FICA1) and 1.45% for Medicare (FICA2) from employees payroll warrants
• The County matches the employees 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare

Employee Assistance Program: EAP is available to help you take control of your life!

Voluntary Benefits: Chimienti & Associates (Administrator) offers the following voluntary benefits and can be deducted on a pre-tax bases: Short Term Disability Coverage, Accident Plan, Cancer Plan and a Flexible Spending Account.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days (per calendar year)

01

I have successfully completed my initial 6 or 12 month probationary period as an employee of Kern County (temporary and extra help time is not qualifying). A "no" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00

• Yes
• No

02

I had an overall rating of Standard or better on my last performance appraisal. A "no" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00.

• Yes
• No

03

Have you for any reason separated from County employment (layoff, voluntary or involuntary resignation) and gained re-employment within the last six months? A "yes" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00 and County Ordinance 3.08.140 A & B.

• Yes
• No

04

I understand that this is a competitive examination. I agree that I will not discuss the content or nature of any component for this examination, in general or specific terms, with anyone until the examination process is completed for all candidates.

• Yes
• No

05

I understand the unauthorized disclosure of examination material is a violation of Civil Service Rules and can result in my disqualification, by the Civil Service Commission, from this examination and future examinations with the County of Kern

• Yes
• No

06

I was appointed to my present classification and level on (Date):

07

I possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience in Child Welfare Services crisis intervention, court related activities including but not limited to; Emergency Response, Adoptions or Court Intake.

• Yes
• No

08

Please list the start and end dates (MM/YY) you were assigned to a program in Child Welfare Services.

09

I possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience in Employment Services (Welfare to Work).

• Yes
• No

10

Please list the start and end dates (MM/YY) you were assigned to a program in Employment Services (Welfare to Work).

11

I possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience in CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal.

• Yes
• No

12

Please list the start and end dates (MM/YY) you were assigned to a program in CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal.

13

I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and will provide my Bilingual Certificate (English/Spanish) issued by the County of Kern Human Resources Division or its authorized agent Bakersfield College. (Failure to attach Bilingual Certificate(s) by the final filing deadline, will not be considered Bilingual.)

• Yes
• No

14

All applicable diploma(s), transcripts, licenses, and/or certificates must be attached with your application. I have submitted copies of all applicable diploma(s), transcripts, licenses, and/or certificates with my application. (Failure to attach required supplemental materials will result in the rejection of application.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Kern County

Address 1115 Truxtun Avenue First Floor

Bakersfield, California, 93301

Phone (661) 868-3480

Website http://www.kerncounty.com/hr