Job Posting: Community Nutrition Support Section Chief

Department of Social Services

JC-469134
-
Community Nutrition Support Section Chief
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER II (SUPERVISORY)

$7,643.00 - $9,496.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 3/30/2025

Job Description and Duties

The Child and Adult Care Food Program Branch (CACFP) at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is seeking highly motivated leaders who are excited to contribute their creativity and passion for community engagement and process implementation to the effort to provide equitable access to nutritious meals for infants, children, and adults in California. If you enjoy collaborating with a great and passionate team, this is the perfect position for you. We have semi-flexible schedules in a hybrid (remote / telework and on campus) work environment.

The Community Nutrition Support Section Chief will lead the Equity and Engagement Unit and the Onboarding and Outreach Unit and be responsible for envisioning and implementing practices that ensure the CACFP Branch administers the program with a focus on access, expansion, equity, and community engagement.

The Community Nutrition Support Section Chief will oversee activities including implementation of equity and engagement plans, development of communication strategies and outreach initiatives, and development of a supportive, person-centered process for CACFP applicants.

Other responsibilities of the Section Chief include promoting a workplace environment and culture of psychological safety, collaboration, equity, and inclusion; reviewing and evaluating staff work; meeting and working with internal and external partners; and attending or presenting at conferences. 

Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Recruitment Survey

Would you like more information regarding career opportunities with the CDSS?  We’d love to hear from you!  Please contact us at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov and include the job classification and job control number in the subject line.  Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This work location is very convenient!  The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80. 

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies.  
Please note, if this position is being advertised in multiple locations, the headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location. 

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-469134
Position #(s):
800-291-4801-002
Working Title:
Community Nutrition Support Section Chief
Classification:
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER II (SUPERVISORY)
$7,643.00 - $9,496.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, 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 California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence.  CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families.  

Our mission is to provide equitable access to nutritious meals for infants, children, and adults in the community by supporting our CACFP Operators through policy guidance, nutrition education, and training.

Our vision is to ensure infants, children, and adults have access to healthy meals through the CACFP, and our Program Operators have the support and resources to successfully administer the program.

CDSS Culture 

CDSS’ goal is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Department, that actively invites the contribution and participation of all people, and is representative of the varied identities and different perspectives in California. In our role as public administrators, our charge is to ensure that our programs and our workplaces provide all Californians the opportunity to thrive.

Special Requirements

Please Note:  A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.

Do not include any confidential information on 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 automatically redacted upon submission. 

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as a documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing and should be typed and no more than two pages in length.
Vague and/or incomplete SOQ may not be considered if they do not fully respond to the required information. Cover Letters do not take the place of a SOQ.

In no more than 2 pages, please address the following:
 
1. Please describe your management style and how you will or have used it to impact the growth of a program.

2. Please discuss your experience leading a team during a time of considerable change.
 
3. Describe the impact social services programs have on the lives of people in the community and how incorporating equity into government programs can increase that impact.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire. 

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment. 

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: 3/30/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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: Classification & Certification Unit
P.O.Box 944243
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
Classification & Pay 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 -

    (SOQ) is required: Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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.

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:

We encourage applications regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of these skills below. 

Please highlight your knowledge, skills, and experience related to the below desirable qualifications in your application package.

  • Experience working in a team environment, as a coach, mentor, and in a leadership capacity
  • Ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, honesty, and make timely decisions while maintaining positive and trusting working relationships
  • Ability to plan, organize, communicate, and adapt to changing assignments and priorities, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
  • Experience in program level budget development activities and demonstrated ability to effectively manage financial activities
  • Knowledge and understanding or willingness and ability to learn CDSS organization, business program

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!  The 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.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

  • Public transit (mass transit) passes.
    • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
  • Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS. 

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!


Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Catherine Hardin
(916) 858-9363
catherine.hardin@dss.ca.gov

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
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov
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.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.   
To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:
Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list.  If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination.  Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary.  For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job