The ideal candidate for this position must demonstrate strong leadership skills, flexibility, creativity, ability to work within short time frames and experience working with a diverse staff and community groups. In addition, the successful candidate has experience and a solid track record which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities to:  

• Plan, organize, manage and evaluate comprehensive public mental health services within  regulatory, practice standards, and fiscal constraints
• Identify and interpret changes in legislative, regulatory and administrative policy, procedures and requirements
• Make decisions and independent judgments to determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations
• Manage projects and activities including activities of multi-disciplinary teams
• Establish and maintain working relationships with Federal, State and local mental health services agencies
• Establish standards, evaluate performance, measure and improve outcomes of mental health programs efforts for people living in Solano County

Plans, organizes and evaluates mental health operations involving a variety of clinical treatment and support activities; works with management staff to develop new and expand existing programs to meet community needs and state mandates; coordinates and integrates program components into a cohesive and  effective service delivery system; coordinates mental health services with hospitals and other agencies. 

Manages policies and practices of mental health operations through subordinate managers and supervisors; designs and evaluates systems to encourage productive behavior and recognize exceptional performance.   

Maintains liaison with representatives of the County Advisory Board, state and regional health and social service providers, interested community organizations and other County departments.   

Ensures appropriate expenditure of public funds through the efficient operation of programs.  Monitors utilization review, work production and other information related to service delivery; directs operational changes to increase effectiveness and efficiency of operations.   

Ensures the dissemination of information of mental health operations and services, as well as information concerning mental health published by other agencies or organizations to promote general knowledge of mental illness and services; makes public presentations upon request.  

May be assigned additional managerial or administrative duties; may conduct special studies, convene committees or act on behalf of the Department Director; investigates and resolves issues of administrative concern.   

Four years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in a mental health agency which included program planning and evaluation, budget management, personnel management and performance evaluation, policy development and providing community service in a public agency. 
  AND   
Meeting the requirements of the California Code of Regulations Title 9. Rehabilitative and Developmental Services, Section 620. Director of Local Mental Health Services:

(a) A physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California showing evidence of having completed the required course of graduate psychiatric education as defined in Section 623 to be supplemented by an additional period of two years of training or practice limited to the field of psychiatry, one year of which shall have been administrative experience; OR
(b) A psychologist who shall be licensed in the State of California and shall possess a doctorate degree in psychology from an institution of higher education. In addition, the psychologist shall have had at least three years of acceptable clinical psychology experience, two years of which shall be administrative experience; OR
(c) A clinical social worker who shall possess a master’s degree in social work or higher and shall be a licensed clinical social worker under provisions of the California Business and Professions Code, and shall have had at least five years mental health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience; OR
(d) A marriage, family, and child counselor who shall have a master’s degree in an approved behavioral science course of study, and who shall be a licensed marriage, family, and child counselor and have received specific instruction, or its equivalent, as required for licensure on January 1, 1981. In addition, the marriage, family, and child counselor shall have had at least five years of mental health experience, two years of which shall have been administrative experience. The term, specific instruction, contained in Sections 5751 and 5751.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall not be limited to school, college, or university classroom instruction, but may include equivalent demonstrated experience in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions; OR
(e) A nurse who shall possess a master’s degree in psychiatric or public health nursing and shall be licensed as a registered nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing in the State of California, and shall have had at least five years mental health experience, two of which shall have been administrative experience. Additional post–baccalaureate experience in a mental health setting may be substituted on a year–for– year basis for the educational requirements; OR
(f) An administrator who shall have a master’s degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university, and who shall have at least three years experience in hospital or health care administration, two of which shall have been in the mental health field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year–for–year basis with the approval of the Department of Mental Health. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 5600.5 and 5751, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 5607, 5751, 5751.1 and 5751.3, Welfare and Institutions Code."  

These supplemental questionnaire will be used to help determine your qualifications for this position, and whether you continue in the recruitment process. Be sure to answer the questions thoroughly and completely.  

Describe your experience, relevant to this position in the following areas (include duration of experience, in months and dates worked, and where the experience was obtained). OMITTED INFORMATION CANNOT BE CONSIDERED OR ASSUMED.  

1. Describe your experience with budget preparation and administration. Include: scope and size of budgets that you had direct responsibility; number of staff you had direct responsibility/number of direct reports and length of time in each assignment  

2.   As the new Deputy Director of Health and Social Services/ Mental Health, what would be your approach to this role during the first 100 days?  

3.  What would be your top priorities in meeting the requirements of the Mental Health Services Act and dealing with the dwindling revenues in core mental health programs? What steps would you take to handle this situation?  

Selectees for employment, must as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to  comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting.
Incumbents  must  be able to work in a clinical environment which may include exposure to communicable disease.
 
Independent travel may be required. 

SALARY POLICIES - The starting salary is ordinarily the first rate shown on the front of the announcement.    Effective December 1, 1998, all new hires are required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.

We are recruiting for this position until the position is filled. Application review is scheduled to begin June 4, 2010. This recruitment is subject to close at any time after this date without notice.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination of the above.

Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement, (ie. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, licenses, certificates, DD-214) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet and are due within five (5) calendar days of the final filing date or within five (5) calendar days from application submittal if the recruitment is Open until Filled. 

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com to apply.  Application should provide a detailed employment history that includes the month and year of entry and departure for all positions with relevant job experience. All questions should be directed to Jessica Smith in the Department of Human Resources, (707)784-2448 open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF YOUR DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN FIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.  If you have a service connected disability, you must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating you are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall have five (5) added to their combined grade. Disabled veterans shall have ten (10) points added to their combined grade.

Veteran scores will only be added to passing scores.

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

  "SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"  

PLEASE NOTE: All persons hired will be required to participate in the direct deposit program.