Policy Director

ABOUT ALAMEDA COUNTY

Alameda County is the seventh most populous county in California and is characterized by its rich diversity and culture as one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the Bay Area and the nation. It is home to over 1.6 million people living in 14 incorporated cities as well as in six unincorporated communities and rural areas throughout the 821 square miles of the County. The County enjoys a varied geography ranging from urban marinas to rolling open spaces to hillside lakes and streams.

THE POSITION

The Policy Director is responsible for coordinating agency-wide policies, legislative activities, supporting operating departments’ strategic planning efforts, leading the development and implementation of complex departmental initiatives and programs, and directing and coordinating the activities of a unit; and performing related duties as required.

The Policy Director will support the design of service delivery systems and monitor the Agency’s overall response to regulatory and legislative changes and conduct best practice reviews and policy analyses. The Policy Director will act as a liaison with State and Federal officials, as well as work in collaboration with the Finance Department and other major programs and units.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications required for the position, ideal candidates will embody the following crucial attributes:

The ideal candidate for this position will have a demonstrated track record of success as:

• Someone who has the ability to establish, balance and adjust priorities with a focus on completing agency goals.
• Someone capable of identifying opportunities and building strategic and collaborative work relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of business goals.
• Someone who is an effective communicator, orally and in writing, who clearly conveys information and ideas and interacts with others by relating well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; and who exemplifies understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
• Someone who possesses a positive can-do attitude and keenness to pursue opportunities, who can show a dynamic approach, responding with an appropriate pace and energy to situations.
• Someone who technically and professionally takes personal satisfaction and pride coordinating agency-wide policy, legislative activities and actively participates in operating departments’ strategic planning efforts.
• Someone resourceful and highly skilled in analysis who is capable of seeking or collecting and synthesizing information from a variety of clients and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.
• Someone who can effectively manage one’s own and others time and resources to ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Someone with strong strategic decision making and problem-solving skills who can identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; who uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; and who solves problems by taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

For a complete listing of all essential responsibilities and core competency requirements, please see the comprehensive job description at: Policy Director Job Description.

VACANCIES

The current vacancies are within the Social Services Agency, and Alameda County Health. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used by any department needing to fill a vacancy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Welfare, Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Health Care Administration or a closely related field.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of increasingly responsible, full-time, paid administrative experience in the evaluation of or planning for the delivery of health care or social services in a health care or social services agency, social planning, or community organization. (Note: The combination of training and experience must clearly demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.)

License: A valid California Motor Vehicle license is required.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Research, analytical and data collection techniques.

• Principles and practices of project management.

• Principles and practices of business and public administration.

• Principles and practices of management, supervision, and training.

• Budget administration.

• Program performance budgeting, strategic budgeting and benchmarking.

Ability to:

• Review and analyze a variety of technical review comments on projects and recommends appropriate action.

• Manage project activities and the activities of multi-disciplinary teams.

• Establish, balance and adjust priorities.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Promote a customer-oriented approach toward meeting the needs of the County.

• Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written communications.

• Prepare a variety of narrative documents, including policy statements, management reports and correspondence.

• Speak effectively before small and large groups.

• Facilitate small and large groups.

• Establish standards and evaluate performance.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local government, other County personnel and the public.

• Resolve operational and procedural problems and conflicts.

• Respond effectively to a variety of changing situations.