Unit Manager

The CalFresh and Nutrition Branch is seeking a highly motivated, positive, and self-directed professional to join our team in the CalFresh Healthy Living Section, Nutrition Education Unit to help provide both fiscal and contractual compliance and programmatic oversight.

The Staff Services Manager I (SSMI) will supervise up to four staff and provide oversight of assignments, and projects, as well as provide briefs on CalFresh Healthy Living program implementation, compliance and technical assistance. The SSMI is also responsible for a variety of activities associated with programmatic and administrative oversight of California's SNAP-Ed State Plan for CalFresh-eligible recipients. This includes development of strategies and projects for program improvement and implementation. In addition, the SSMI will also be involved in the oversight of policy development, contract and fiscal monitoring, management evaluations, and special projects. The SSMI will work independently and lead special projects as needed under the direction of the Section Chief. Up to 25% travel will be required.

We value individuals who are highly motivated, self- starters, and possess excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal and organization skills, and has strong leadership skills. We are searching for an individual who is flexible that have the ability to supervise a team, work independently, provide project oversight, and willing to travel. If you are willing to be a part of a highly visible and energetic organization, we encourage you to apply today!

Benefits: The state offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, long-term care and disability insurance, as well as paid leave. Please see the Benefits section below for more details.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

Telework / Remote Work Information: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies. Headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location.

Would you like more information regarding career opportunities with the CDSS? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov and include the job classification and job control number in the subject line. Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job .

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer's markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.

The CalFresh Healthy Living section is currently doing a hybrid telework schedule. This position is primarily teleworking but may require reporting to and periodically traveling to Sacramento, headquarters, for meetings and trainings.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STAFF SERVICES MANAGER I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-449936

Position #(s):
800-251-4800-001

Working Title:
Unit Manager

Classification:
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER I $6,963.00 - $8,650.00

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence. CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California's needy and vulnerable children and families.

CalFresh Healthy Living supports healthy, active and nourished lifestyles by teaching Californians about good nutrition and how to stretch their food dollars, while also building partnerships in communities to make the healthy choice, the easy choice. We work with people who can qualify for CalFresh or other Federal assistance programs in achieving healthy behaviors through nutrition and physical activity education, community changes, and social marketing.

At the California Department of Social Services in the CalFresh and Nutrition Branch, the CalFresh Healthy Living Section is responsible for providing program guidance and oversight to all State Implementing Agencies and Local Implementing Agencies. The section provides technical assistance, budget and contract review, and program monitoring to ensure operational compliance. CalFresh Healthy Living is active in all 58 counties in California working with State and Local implementers to create a California where everyone is healthy, active, and nourished.

CDSS Culture

CDSS' goal is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Department, that actively invites the contribution and participation of all people, and is representative of the varied identities and different perspectives in California. In our role as public administrators, our charge is to ensure that our programs and our workplaces provide all Californians the opportunity to thrive.

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with Application/Standard Form (STD) 678. The SOQ must be typed, 12- point Arial font, and no more than two pages in length. Application packages received without specific responses to the supplemental questionnaire will not be considered.

Supplemental Questionnaire:

1. Clearly indicate the Job Control (JC) # for the position you are applying.
2. Describe relevant education, qualification, experience and/or knowledge that makes you the best fit for this position.
3. Describe your experience directly overseeing contracts, specifically working with contractors, and ensuring contract deliverables are met.
4. Describe your management style and leadership philosophy as it relates to staff and project management.
5. Describe a time you recommended a change to a process and why. What was the recommendation and how did you go about implementing the change?

Resumes WILL NOT take the place of the SOQ or employment history on the application form (STD 678). The SOQ should detail your interest in the California Department of Social Services and how your education, knowledge, training, skills and experience make you a good fit for the position as outlined in the Duty Statement. Where applicable, the SOQ must also address the Desirable Qualifications listed in this Examination Bulletin. Resume is optional; it may be included, but not required.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide office transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for an appointment.

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/26/2024
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Social Services
Attn: Classification & Pay Unit
P.O.Box 944243

Sacramento , CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Social Services
Classification & Pay Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

We encourage applications regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of these skills below. Please highlight your knowledge, skills, and experience related to the below desirable qualifications in your application packa ge.

• Ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, honesty, and make timely decisions while maintaining positive and trusting working relationships
• Ability to plan, organize, communicate, and adapt to changing assignments and priorities, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
• Excellent analytical skills with demonstrated ability to work independently, think logically and creatively, apply a range of analytical and research tools, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, make sound recommendations, and develop process, procedures, and requirements based on the recommendations
• Experience leading and facilitating large meetings and using strong verbal and written communication skills to present information to all levels of stakeholders, including management, administrative and programmatic staff, and solution partners, to prepare and present written recommendations, and to report project information accurately and timely
• Experience working in a team environment, as a coach, mentor, and in a leadership capacity
• Knowledge and understanding or willingness and ability to learn CDSS organization, federal and state program areas, business operations, and processes
• Experience gathering, identifying, analyzing, reading and interpreting data from surveys and evaluation
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MS Teams, Visio, and SharePoint, and data visualization tools such as GIS and Tableau
• Is customer focused, and has the ability to supervise and lead teams with strong personnel administrative experience, as well as work independently

Benefits
There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
  • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lin Van
(916) 210-9446
Lin.Van@dss.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the examination announcement:

CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary. For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov .

Applicant Survey

Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Recruitment Survey

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.