Job Description

Posting number: D022D

Department: Human Services Agency

Job classification: Human Services Agency Assistant Director

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Services, Social Services, Management, Executive Management, Human Services, Community and Social Services, Program Management

Summary

The County of San Mateo is currently seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of

Human Services Agency's Assistant Director

Please view the online brochure for a detailed description of this position and instructions on how to apply!

Join us for an engaging LinkedIn Live informational session to explore this exciting opportunity. We’ll provide an overview of the Assistant Director of the Human Services Agency position. Learn about the key responsibilities of the role, benefits, and what makes an ideal candidate. We’ll also walk through the recruitment and selection process. Don’t miss out—join us on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 3 PM PST. Click here to register.

Supplemental information

Open. Anyone may apply.

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, the following materials must be submitted online at https://jobs.smcgov.org.

A. Resume

B. A Cover Letter that includes the following:

1. Describe the most significant organizational change you have led in a human services or comparable public-sector setting. What was the case for change, how did you build support among staff and stakeholders, and how did you sustain the change after the initial rollout?
2. HSA serves more than 198,000 children and adults across a wide range of state and federally mandated programs. Describe how you have used data, benchmarks, or evidence-based research to make a decision affecting service delivery at a department-wide level. What did the data show, what decision did you make, and how did you measure the outcome?
3. This position acts as the Agency Director in her absence and serves as liaison to the Board of Supervisors, other County departments, state and federal agencies, and community organizations. Describe a situation in which you represented an organization or a chief executive on a high-stakes matter with an external body, a governing board, a funding agency, a legislature, or a community stakeholder group. How did you prepare, how did you handle disagreement or opposition, and what was the result?

Electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your application materials will be forwarded to you upon receipt of your application materials. Resumes submitted via email will not be accepted.

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

LinkedIn Live Informational Session: Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. PST

Final Filing Date: Monday, October 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST

Application Screening: Friday, October 30, 2026

Panel Interviews: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Finalist Interviews: TBD

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 770,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

For questions about this position or the selection process, please contact Arlene Cahill at acahill@smcgov.org