Senior Community Program Specialist - Quality Improvement- FHS (Departmental Promotional)

Job Description:

Senior Community Program Specialist - Quality Improvement- FHS (Departmental Promotional)

Description

Description

The County of San Mateo's Family Health Services division is seeking a Senior Community Program Specialist to join our team! Family Health Services (FHS) is a division within San Mateo County Health that serves primarily pregnant people, parenting families, and children, working towards their goals of improved health and brighter futures.

The Senior Community Program Specialist will play an integral part in Family Health Services' performance improvement efforts utilizing scientific problem-solving methods and should have experience in quality improvement work, including data development and analysis. The position necessitates a motivated individual with strong critical thinking, big picture/system wide analysis, facilitation, project management, and oral/written/communications skills, as well as social intelligence.

The Family Health Services Senior Community Program Specialist is expected to advance the goals and priorities of FHS' quality improvement work through management of multiple projects and improvement efforts. The position will report to the FHS Quality Improvement Manager.

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Have 2-3 years of hands-on experience applying quality improvement methodologies (e.g., PDSA cycles, root cause analysis) in public health or human services settings. Experience with structured improvement systems (LEAN preferred). Demonstrates initiative in driving system-level change and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively identify and implement solutions. Shows attention to detail and a commitment to excellence in execution.
• Skilled in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions. Able to translate findings into actionable recommendations and support data-driven planning.
• Advanced user of Microsoft tools (Teams, SharePoint, Visio, Excel, Power BI, Power Automate) and other productivity platforms. Demonstrates experience in data visualization and digital collaboration.
• Build strong, respectful partnerships with individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrates cultural humility and inclusive practices in team and community engagement.
• Leads meetings and cross-functional discussions that surface insights, align priorities, and foster innovation. Communicates clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats.
• Supports program leaders and decision-makers in interpreting data, setting improvement goals, and implementing strategies that reflect community needs and equity priorities.
• Manages multiple projects and assignments simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in dynamic environments.
• Understands public health programming for pregnant and parenting families, particularly within culturally diverse communities.
• Balances strategic vision with operational detail. Assesses complex systems, identifies root causes, and designs sustainable solutions using scientific problem-solving approaches.
• Actively seeks opportunities to enhance services through data-informed strategies. Champions equity-focused outcomes and empowers others to improve processes that serve maternal, child, and family health.

The preferred candidate will possess a Master's degree in Public Health or related field.

The current Full-Time, Regular, Senior Community Program Specialist position is located at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct and review the work of program staff.
• Plan, develop and maintain plans for a program improvement effort or a major function of a program.
• Develop and implement planning and research methodology that serves to identify service needs and priorities including the development of survey instruments for use in data collection.
• Collect, analyze, and visualize data on specific programs.
• Analyzes changes in regulations; evaluates the impact upon program operations and support programs in drafting policy and workflow changes as required.
• Arrange and/or provide assistance in identifying and resolving quality assurance issues.
• Coordinate and work with leadership and staff in community programs to identify problems and barriers or facilitate program improvement goals.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings, or sessions for groups involved in specific programs improvement efforts.
• Evaluate specific projects, project goals, program goals and client impact.
• Develop reports using electronic health record or other data collection tools and provide support and guidance to community program staff and leadership on using data to drive program decisions and outcomes.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to the related community programs.
• Hold meetings, provide information, identify gaps in services and determine clients' needs.
• Prepares a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, informational publications, program documentation, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.

Knowledge of:

• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Principles, practices, and administrative requirements of the program to which assigned.
• Contemporary social, political and economic trends and problems related to community services.
• Principles of social planning and program development related to community services.
• Specialized technical knowledge related to assigned program area.
• Monitoring and evaluating systems for community services programs.
• Formulation and function of community and volunteer organizations.
• Current social and community needs.
• Principles and practices in community development and services planning.
• Methods applied to the collection and evaluation of statistical data.
• Principles of community organization.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and County and program policies and guidelines.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, assign, direct and review the work of others.
• Train, coach and instruct others.
• Prepare concise reports and recommendations.
• Plan, organize, promote and coordinate diverse community program activities.
• Make independent judgments and work independently.
• Prepare concise reports and recommendations.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Coordinate multiple facets of a program function.
• Interpret rules, regulations and guidelines at all government levels.
• Compile, analyze and interpret data using statistical and research techniques.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with members of other departments and diverse community groups.
• Plan, organize, promote and coordinate diverse community program activities.

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;

• Five years of experience in an organization providing social services, which has included responsibility for community service development such as planning, evaluating, monitoring or coordinating projects.

Application/Examination

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the San Mateo County Health Department with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

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%). 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. 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 the " Apply " button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://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
Final Filing Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Week of November 16, 2026
Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interviews: Week of December 7, 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 that 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.