Staff Development Manager

The County of Santa Barbara Social Services Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time Staff Development Manager vacancy in Santa Maria.

The Department is seeking a staff training and development professional who has organizational leadership skills, strategic business thinking, technically savvy business strengths, and experience with employee training programs in the public sector.

This management position (Program/Business Leader – General job classification) requires extensive collaboration and teamwork among the department’s leadership team and is responsible for developing and implementing learning strategies and programs, evaluating departmental staff development needs, and implementing various learning methods (e.g., online training, remote training, coaching, etc.).  The position actively searches, creatively designs, and implements effective methods to educate and enhance staff performance.

The Staff Development Manager will have both direct and indirect reports located in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. This management position reports to the Deputy Director of Administrative Services.

IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience using data research methods to identify, develop, and evaluate trainings responsive to staff needs.
• Experience evaluating and improving processes, and developing and implementing innovative strategies to improve operations.
• Experience using data to tell a story and synthesize data to develop recommendations for decision makers.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating direct reports and other staff.
• Experience leading organizational change and looking at the big picture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing competing demands.
• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, instruction design, and teaching and instruction for individuals and groups.
• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of: human behavior and performance; indivudal differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.
• Experience that demonstrates ability to manage time and deliverables effectively and consistently with minimal supervision, and develop and oversee a project and related costs and budget.

Examples of Duties

1. Plans, organizes, and directs, through staff, the activities of the Staff Development Division; confers with staff on policy, procedures, budget, and personnel matters; interviews and selects staff for the division; evaluates staff performance and reviews performance reports prepared by supervisors.
2. Supervises, motivates, coaches, trains, and mentors staff.
3. Evaluates and researches trends and best practices in employee retention and develop strategies, programs, and trainings to enhance retention and staff engagement.
4. Analyzes department training needs to develop new training programs or to improve existing programs.
5. Evaluates the effectiveness of training programs and develops enhancements as needed.
6. Works with Managers to identify performance areas or new work process where training could help staff perform better and more efficiently.
7. Coordinates and conducts training for staff to promote their professional and personal development.
8. Plans, coordinates, and delivers the annual Federal and State mandated trainings.
9. Conducts follow-up studies of all completed training to evaluate and measure results.
10. Supervises both professional, administrative, and clerical staff.
11. Continually modifies training techniques based on new technologies and needs.
12. Actively participates in the Leadership Team of the Department.  Participates in the development of, and champions, new Departmental initiatives.
13. Actively collaborates with other Divisions and Branches of the Organization.
14. Plans, organizes, implements, and ensures compliance, through staff, the policies of the Department and County.
15. Promotes the vision and values of the Department of Social Services and the County.
16. Liaisons with the County Human Resources Organizational and Talent Development Division.
17. Completes other projects as assigned.

Employment Standards

Possession of the core competencies listed here and the ability to immediately demonstrate these competencies consistent with the position’s level in the leadership series and the specific work assignment; AND

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, human resources, organizational & talent development, organizational leadership, or a closely related field;  AND,
• Five years of experience in organizational and talent development, organizational design, or a learning and training environment which includes curriculum development and conducting and/or facilitating online and in-person training.

Note: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.

Applicants whose education was completed outside of the United States, will need to provide copies of transcirpts along with a copy of Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License.
• Must be able to travel independently throughout both the County and the state.

Knowledge of: Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for indivuduals and groups, and measurement of training effects; Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar; Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources; Human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality and interests; Priniciples of learning and motivation; Psychology research methods; Administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and designing forms.

Ability to:  Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand; Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense; Development of ideas about a topic and adequately train individuals and groups; Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences; Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing; Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions; Select and use training and instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things; Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making; Supervise and manage a team of staff.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and Supplemental Questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
• Application Ranking: Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application based on the Ideal Candidate Statement of this bulletin. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the application ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.  Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.  Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.  The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of 12 months.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information on benefits click here.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.

Statement of Commitment: The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization.  The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 08/03/2023, 4:59 P.M. (PST) Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com

Raquel Martinez, Senior Employment Analyst, RMartinez@countyofsb.org