Assistant Director, Family & Children’s Services

County of Santa Clara • Full-time • United States • $182.57k - $234.22k / year • 4w ago

We’re seeking an innovative, driven, and collaborative leader to join DFCS as the Assistant Director, Family and Children’s Services, a role that will shape the future of child welfare and family support in one of California’s most dynamic regions.

Your Mission

As Assistant Director, you will help lead the Department of Family and Children's Services within the Social Services Agency. Reporting to the Director of Family and Children’s Services, you will oversee multiple bureaus and guide a large, multidisciplinary team in delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and legally compliant services that protect and uplift children and families.

You’ll be a key driver of operational excellence, strategic planning, and community collaboration, ensuring that the Department's programs and services not only meet mandates but also reflect the County's values of equity, dignity, and care.

What Makes This Role Unique

Systemic Impact: You’ll influence services that touch thousands of lives, from emergency response and court investigations to foster care, adoptions, and school-based supports.
Leadership at Scale: Manage and mentor a diverse team of managers and staff across multiple bureaus, each with its own specialized mission and challenges.
Equity in Action: Help ensure that our services are inclusive, just, and responsive to the needs of all communities, especially those historically underserved.

What You Bring

Deep knowledge of child welfare systems, social work principles, and public sector operations.
Proven ability to lead large teams and complex programs with empathy and strategic clarity.
Strong understanding of laws, codes, and regulations governing children’s services.
Commitment to equity, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive leadership.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and change management skills.

Application Process and Key Dates

Filing Deadline: Continuous – Open until filled. First review deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026.

For the full job description, go to: https://direc.to/o9__

To learn more about the County’s generous executive leadership benefits, go to: https://bit.ly/ExecBenefitsSCC

Questions regarding this Executive recruitment may be directed to:

Kendra Conrad, Executive Services at kendra.conrad@esa.sccgov.org

Stay on top of the County of Santa Clara’s leadership career opportunities by subscribing to our Executive Leadership Career Newsletter

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