Branch Chief, Family Permanency and Support Services ...

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) is looking for a passionate leader for the Family Permanency and Support Services Branch (FPSSB)! Under the direction of the Deputy Director of the CFSD, the Branch Chief of the FPSSB is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the activities of the Branch which have statewide, intergovernmental, and direct public impact. The Branch Chief is responsible for influencing policy decisions adopted by the federal government, the State, and counties/local governments for reunification services, foster care; kinship care program, and resource parents recruitment activities, transitioning foster youth services and other children's programs. This position also advises and recommends policy directives and changes to the Deputy Director of CFSD in all aspects of these and other related program areas. If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey. Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at . For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest opportunities. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement . Working Conditions This position is being advertised in Sacramento County. The CDSS Headquarter location is 744 P Street Sacramento 95814. This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance of the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmers' markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80. This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Minimum Requirements This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below. C. E. A. Additional Documents Job Application Package Checklist Duty Statement Position Details Job Code #: JC-506200 Position #(s): 800-550-7500-001 Working Title: Branch Chief, Family Permanency and Support Services Branch Classification: C. E. A. $10,349.00 - $12,526.00 A New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. # of Positions: 1 Work Location: Sacramento County Telework: Hybrid Job Type: Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, 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 mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive. The mission of the Family Permanency and Support Services Branch (FPSSB) is to carry out the vision of the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) where every child lives in a safe, stable, permanent home, nurtured by healthy families and strong communities. The Branch is responsible for the development of programs and policy initiatives that advance positive outcomes for children, youth and young adults placed in foster care, kinship care, resource family, guardianship, and tribally approved homes. These outcomes include safety with caregivers; increasing timeliness to reunification, resource family, adoption and guardianship; increasing placement stability; improving child and youth well-being indicators, reducing disproportionality and disparate outcomes for children of color, assure appropriate services and supports for youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood. The Branch focuses on a Kin-First philosophy (family finding, engagement and support) wherein every child remains connected to their family, community and culture. The FPSSB is comprised of 3 bureaus: Youth and Caregiver Support Bureau (YCSB), Permanency Policy Bureau (PPB) and the Resource Family and Eligibility Support Bureau (RFESB). Special Requirements Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Examination Information section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission. Applicants who do not submit a SOQ or follow the instructions will be eliminated from the Examination process. Do not include any confidential information in 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 automaticallyredacted upon submission. 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: 3/24/2026 Who May Apply Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California. 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 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 California Department of Social Services Attn: Jessica Alvarado, CEA & Exempt Unit P. O. Box 944243 - MS 8-15-58 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 California Department of Social Services Jessica Alvarado, CEA & Exempt 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 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 - See the Examination Information section for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ is required. Any applicant who fails to submit or complete the SOQ as instructed will be eliminated from the examination process. 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. Examination Qualification Requirements All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement. Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service. General Qualifications State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others. Knowledge and Abilities Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities: Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives. These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization): CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies. CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies. CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level. 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: Knowledge of the public child welfare system, including practice, policy funding and ICWA, desired program performance and outcomes; andan understanding of federal/state/county/Tribal government relations. Knowledge of policy-making and administrative processes including state and federal legislation, regulatory and budgetary processes and theroles of the various branches and levels of government, including control agencies. The ability to communicate, in person and in writing, the department's mission and priorities and the roles of the division and branch in meetingthat mission to staff, stakeholders and others, anticipating audiences' needs and interests. The ability to lead a diverse staff, foster collaboration, mutual respect and teamwork, and maintain a balance of assertiveness and diplomacy inmeeting common goals. The ability to seek mutually acceptable solutions and to identify and develop strategies to address complex public policy issues. The ability to communicate orally and in writing in a well-organized, accurate, clear and concise manner and confidence in communicating witha broad range of stakeholders with diverse opinions. The ability to plan implementation of and manage complex projects to completion within specified timelines, including stakeholder and partnerinvolvement and communication. The ability to maintain poise while working in a time-sensitive, deadline-driven, results-oriented environment. Examination Information The Examination will consist of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) evaluation and screening process. A departmental evaluation panel will review and score the SOQ based on the Desirable Qualifications for the position, and the competitive nature of each candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. Please note there is not a separate online Examination for the CEA classification. The SOQ will be the only basis for your final score and rank on the eligible list. Applicants who do not submit a SOQ or follow the instructions will be eliminated from the Examination. The SOQ is a narrative of how your education, training, experience, and skills meet the Desirable Qualifications and qualify you for the position. The SOQ must address the following question in a narrative format. What are the greatest strengths and challenges in child welfare and foster care in California today and how would you bolster those strengths and address those challenges? When completing the SOQ, applications must follow these guidelines: The SOQ must be typed, no more than four (4) pages in length Use one-inch margins Font size no smaller than 11-point Arial Responses must reference relevant factors listed in the Desirable Qualificaitons section listed above If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores. A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results. The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months. Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates. The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified. Special Testing Arrangements If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement. Benefits There are many benefits to joining our team! T he 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. Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process. Human Resources Contact: Jessica Alvarado (916) 926-7871 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 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. 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.

Created: 2026-03-10