Job Details

The Department of Health Services seeks an experienced and collaborative Chief Financial Officer to oversee financial operations and strategy for the department!

Starting salary up to $124.57/hour ($259,992/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

About the Position

The Department of Health Services is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as the next Chief Financial Officer. Reporting directly to the Director of Health Services, the Chief Financial Officer is part of the department's executive leadership team and oversees financial operations and strategy for the department. The position will have the opportunity to be an innovative leader who will advance the department and its fiscal operations. Under the direction of the Director of Health Services, this executive-level role helps guide the planning, organization, and oversight of the department's budget of $545.9M and fiscal operations.

As a key member of the department's senior leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer manages major departmental initiatives, leads budget development and fiscal oversight, and helps secure and administer grant funding to enhance community health programs. Acting on behalf of the Director when needed, this role serves as a primary liaison with state, federal, and local partners and represents the department in public forums and community engagements.

The Chief Financial Officer will be joining the department at a pivotal and exciting time. They will have the support of the department and executive leadership teams and the opportunity to create positive change, make a significant impact on the department's financial operations, and be a part of the department's mission to protect and promote the health and well-being of Sonoma County's community.

Key Traits and Aptitudes

• Experience managing dynamic and complex financial systems for health or human services organizations at the county or state level
• Skills in developing and implementing departmental goals, policies, and initiatives with a long-term vision
• Subject matter expertise in government finance and health or human services, including knowledge of federal claiming, Medi-Cal billing, and behavioral health system billing
• The ability to create meaningful change for their team, stakeholders, and community within changing environments
• The ability to represent the department before governing bodies, agencies, and the community
• Experience being a collaborative manager and mentor who fosters teamwork, coordination, and a positive work environment and culture to motivate teams
• An understanding of interpreting and aligning departmental actions with Board and County priorities
• A data-informed skillset in program evaluation, research methods, and performance measurement
• Experience as a public relations advocate capable of building community trust and articulating department initiatives effectively
• A passion for providing ethical and accountable leadership committed to transparency, responsible use of public resources, and equitable service delivery

About the Department of Health Services (DHS)

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the community's health and well-being. With over 700 staff members and numerous community partners, the department offers a broad range of programs and services to promote and sustain health for individuals, families, and communities, supported by an adopted budget of approximately $545.9 million for FY 2025-26, with departmental operating expenditures totaling $346.9 million. The department's mission is to promote, protect, and ensure access to services supporting health, recovery, and well-being for all residents, guided by core values of equity, collaboration, and excellence.

Divisions

• Executive Management & Administration: Provides leadership and administrative support, including compliance, finance, health policy planning and equity, legislative policy, health data and epidemiology, human resources, IT, and privacy and security.
• Behavioral Health: Offers mental health and substance use disorder services for all age groups, including those with Medi-Cal and the uninsured, directly and through community partnerships.
• Homelessness Services: Offers homelessness services, including care and outreach services to sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness, and staff support to the Homeless Coalition (Continuum of Care) Board.
• Public Health: Protects and promotes health through direct services and policy changes. Programs include Environmental Health and Safety, Family Health, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Disease Control and Surveillance, Healthy Communities, Public Health Preparedness, Animal Services, the Regional Public Health Laboratory, and the Coastal Valleys Emergency Medical Services Agency.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework – A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement – A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off – Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness – Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions – 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement – County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement – A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation – 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave – May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

Recruitment

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Chief Financial Officer position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Assistant Director of Health Services.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Experience

Any combination of experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, four years of increasingly responsible management experience in a large organization, including program planning and evaluation, budget management, personnel management and performance evaluation, policy development and provision of community services would provide such opportunity. Experience managing a health services organization or large division of such an organization is highly desirable.

Education

Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in health care administration, public administration, hospital administration, business administration or a closely related field would provide such opportunity. Possession of a Masters degree is desirable.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge and Skills

Thorough knowledge of the social and economic problems affecting public services; communication and conflict resolution; principles and practices of budget and fiscal management, supervision, training, and administration of public services; principles and techniques of statistical and quantitative management analysis; grant sources; public information and contract administration; intergovernmental relationships and regulations affecting delivery of public services.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods used in public service programs; program planning, evaluation and monitoring; principles and application of cost accounting and public funding, research methods and techniques; and personnel management.

Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating to the management and operations of public service programs; research methodology, report writing and basic statistics.

Ability to plan, organize and direct comprehensive public service programs; understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies governing public service programs and operations; develop goals and objectives; supervise and evaluate the performance of subordinate managers, medical and administrative staff; identify and analyze administrative problems and implement operational changes; present and direct in-service training programs; analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action; organize inter-departmental operations; assist in the preparation and justification of the department's budget; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; coordinate and integrate program components in a cohesive and effective service delivery system; secure cooperation and teamwork among professionals and support staff.

Application Instructions

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job‐related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

This position is open until filled. The first review of candidates will be done by January 19, 2026.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-###-####), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: SZ

HR Technician: PPB