Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Departmental Promotional Only)

Job Description:

Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Departmental Promotional Only)

Description

Description

The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency (HSA) is seeking qualified Human Services Program Policy Analysts.

There are currently two vacancies:

1. The Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Children and Family Services/Foster Care Program) position will provide policy and procedure support for the Children and Family Services (CFS) and Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Branches.

1. The Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Training) position will provide staff development and training on ESS programs specifically on eligibility programs.

The Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Children and Family Services/Foster Care Program) position will provide policy and procedure support for the Children and Family Services (CFS) and Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Branches.

The Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Training) position will provide staff development and training on ESS programs specifically on eligibility programs.

The vacancies are organizationally located in the Staff Development and Technology Services Branch of the Human Services Agency. Staff Development and Technology Services is committed to supporting HSA program areas by providing leadership, guidance, information, instruction, and technical assistance for the agency to achieve program goals.

The Human Services Program Policy Analyst will be responsible for policy and regulation review, interpretation and analysis; developing and writing policies and procedures; program handbook updates; issuance of instructions to staff regarding procedural updates; support activities for case review audits; federal laws and regulations; and communicating procedural changes and updates to supervisory and direct service staff for implementation. The Human Services Program Policy Analyst will represent the Agency at State, regional, local and community meetings, and minimal travel will be required for this position.

The list established from this recruitment will also be utilized for future Human Services Program Policy Analyst position(s). These positions would also provide policy and regulation review to develop and write policy and procedures for program handbook updates supporting the Economic Self Sufficiency, Employment Services and Children and Family Services Branches.

In addition, the list will be utilized for future Human Services Program Policy Analyst Training position(s). The position will provide staff development and training on Health Coverage, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Welfare-to-Work, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) and General Assistance eligibility programs.

The ideal candidate for this position is required to have the following:

• Background in human services programs; at least two years of experience providing direct client services in a human services environment; and experience in an administrative capacity supporting executive, managerial, and supervisory staff to administer programs.
• Knowledge of State/County/Federal rules and regulations, including best practices or research related to policies.
• Knowledge and understanding of Health Coverage, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Welfare-to-Work, Child Care, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), General Assistance and Foster Care eligibility programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of Child Welfare and Child Protective Services.
• Experience providing training or instruction.
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Storyline and other related computer programs; ability to learn new technological systems used to administer human services programs.
• Bachelor's degree in a social service, public health, policy or public administration field.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, facilitation and people skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and big picture thinker.
• Flexibility, deadline-driven, and customer service-oriented.
• Takes initiative to complete assignments.
• Able to manage multiple projects with varying scopes simultaneously.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team and to foresee and implement change.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as the Human Services Program Policy Analyst for the CFS and Foster Care programs by effectively addressing issues from operation staff concerning regulations to ensure compliance with Agency and program policies and procedures.
• Oversee the CFS and Foster Care policy areas, identify areas for process improvement, and facilitate decision making with respective Managers and Directors.
• Provide ongoing technical and specialized assistance to supervisors and line staff including developing training curricula and materials and conducting training sessions.
• Collaborate with program policy analysts, program managers and supervisors to ensure timely consistent training and best practices are implemented across the Agency.
• Identify policy alignment with State and Federal regulations and best practice standards.
• Review, interpret, and act upon All County Letters (ACL) and All County Information Notices (ACIN) and All County Welfare Director Letters from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as well as All County Welfare Director Letters (ACWDL) and Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Letters (MEDLS) from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• Research and respond to program inquiries from managers and staff.
• Update forms and issue memorandums to staff, as required.
• Facilitate group meetings and/or serve as representative on internal groups and on committees including external organizations and community advisory groups.
• Work collaboratively with program operations staff to update handbooks and develop procedures to optimize program operations.
• Maintain and update related program handbooks, which provide direction to staff.
• Compile and prepare monthly and quarterly data reports for submission to the State.
• Participate in compliance and audit activities such as supporting State and Federal audits, analyzing cases, preparing responses, and providing assistance to auditors.
• Coordinate and communicate new and revised policies and procedures to management, staff and program partners.
• Review and provide input and feedback on automated systems and work with internal staff, programmers, counties, and others to develop efficient automated systems.
• Conduct research and provide consultation on inquiries from internal and external parties.
• Analyze statistical and budgetary information for reports and audits.
• Respond to ad hoc requests.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

County Status: An applicant must be a current County of San Mateo employee in the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of professional level administrative or program experience in a human services or related program, including at least one year of advanced specialist or lead experience performing public assistance eligibility work.

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public administration; principles and functions of human services public assistance programs; principles and practices of research and analysis; applicable Federal, State, County rules, regulations, laws, policies and guidelines; principles and techniques of coordination and dissemination of information; principles, practices and techniques of training and supervision; applicable computer systems and programs; public and community partners, contacts and resources; and office practices and procedures.

Skill/Ability to: Analyze and interpret rules, regulations, laws and policies related to human services; work independently and research and recommend solutions to complex issues; conduct in-depth and comprehensive research; develop procedures and guidelines for staff and related agencies; communicate and disseminate information to staff and related agencies; implement new and revised policies and procedures; coordinate information and activities with relevant parties; provide formal training and ongoing guidance to staff and related agencies; maintain subject matter expertise in assigned areas; proactively troubleshoot and make recommendations to resolve problems; write narrative and statistical reports and make oral presentations; use and provide input on computerized systems and programs; deal tactfully with individuals in stressful situations; communicate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures; and establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships.

Application/Examination

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).
All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click on the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Tentative Final Filing Date: Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Tentative Application Screening: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Tentative Panel Interview: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.



Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Human Services Program Policy Analyst - G221)

Salary:

$113,152.00 - $141,502.40 Annually