Job Description:
Residential Program Manager
Description
Position InformationThe County of Sonoma seeks a dedicated and skilled leader to put their exceptional managerial skill set to work for the Valley of the Moon Children's Center! Starting salary up to $ 70.25 /hour ( $ 146,620 / year) plus a competitive total compensation package! The Valley of the Moon Children's Center (VMCC) is part of the Human Services Department's Family, Youth, and Children's (FYC) Services Division. VMCC is a resource hub for caregivers of foster youth and houses two residential programs: a 24-hour emergency shelter and a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). The Emergency Shelter provides temporary shelter and care for youth that have been separated from their families due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect. The STRTP is an intensive, residential therapeutic treatment services program designed to meet the behavioral and mental health needs of foster youth.
The Residential Program Manager will support the Valley of the Moon Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program and Valley of the Moon Children’s Home Shelter. They will be responsible for supervising various staff in the STRTP, assessing and managing the daily staffing needs of the residential programs, coordinating training and coaching for program personnel, leading the programs recruitment and retention efforts, and liaising with HSD counterparts and external agencies to ensure swift and accurate delivery of services to all residents. Additional responsibilities include:
- Analyzing data and making recommendations to retain and recruit staff
- Consulting with the Residential Clinical Manager to assess staff goals and ensure robust program implementation
- Collaborating and communicating with staff and service providers at meetings and workgroups to ensure consistency of services
- Observing, coaching, and providing feedback to ensure adherence to program policies and procedures
- Participating in strategic planning for short-term and long-term delivery of services and program implementation
- Assessing new programs and incorporating real time lessons to refine program efficiency
- Contributing to broader FYC initiatives as a member of the management team
The ideal candidate will possess many of the following:
- Recent experience managing a children's shelter, group home, or related residential program setting
- Considerable knowledge of the Core Practice Model, Trauma-Informed Care practices, and Community Care Licensing requirements
- The ability to manage a high-demand and high-volume workload
- Experience in program planning and implementation and recruitment and retention
- The ability to problem-solve and identify solutions in a fast-paced environment
- Experience facilitating meetings with staff and community partners
- Effective personnel management skills, with the ability to motivate staff and lead the change process
- Experience preparing, interpreting, and evaluating a variety of narrative and statistical data reports
- The ability to analyze program needs and develop recommendations and improvements
- The expertise to quickly analyze critical situations and take appropriate actions
- Excellent written, oral, and listening skills
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills
- Possession of a current California Department of Social Services Administrator’s Certificate is required
Please Note: VMCC operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, therefore the ability to work evenings and weekend hours is required. Applicants must be willing to undergo a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal history, and a medical and physical abilities examination prior to employment.
About the Human Services Department (HSD)
As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department’s mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.
HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.
The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services .
What We Offer Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory .
This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill a Residential Program Manager position with the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Valley of the Moon Children's Home Manager.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Minimum Qualifications Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Four years of experience providing various social, employment, counseling, or related human services, including at least two years in a supervisory, planning or administrative capacity would provide such opportunity. Experience in the management of operations and staff for complex children’s/adolescent programs in a 24-hour residential facility is highly desirable.
Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from a college or university with a degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related area would provide this opportunity. A Master’s Degree in a field related to the assigned division is highly desirable.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.
The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License. Certificate: Possession of a current California Department of Social Services Administrator’s Certificate.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Considerable knowledge of: applicable children’s programs, laws, statutes, ordinances, policies, and regulations governing the operation of the Children’s Home; sociological and psychological principles involved in providing assistance and services to children; the principles and practices of program planning and evaluation, needs assessment, and research methodology; community resources and service agencies, including both private and other public agencies; social and economic problems which call for the use of public and private county services.
Working knowledge of: the principles and practices of organizational design, business management, public administration, governmental budgeting and fiscal management; the principles and practices of personnel management, employee supervision, and training; and services programs; modern methods of human services administration; child abuse reporting laws; advanced first aid techniques and practices, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Ability to: plan, organize, direct and supervise the programs and operations of the Children’s Home and the care of dependent children; prepare and control budget expenditures for the facility based on program goals, laws and approved programs; apply advanced first aid to youths and staff; develop, monitor, and ensure maintenance of reasonable performance standards; select, train, supervise and evaluate staff; manage community relations and support activities; develop, evaluate, and analyze operational policies and procedures; analyze problems and complaints and identify solutions; prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports; communicate orally and in writing on a variety of issues; understand, interpret and apply procedures, laws, rules and regulations; ensure proper compliance with federal, state and local guidelines, policies, goals, rules and regulations; develop and maintain harmonious relationships with employees, public officials, community groups, other agencies and the general public.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored. The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: VH
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 7/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary:
$120,614.66 - $146,620.18 Annually