Chief Deputy Director, Health Care Agency

Salary $225,240.79 - $315,368.03 Annually
Location Ventura; requires travel throughout Ventura County and, CA
Job Type At-Will
Job Number 0394HCA-25AA (JER)
Department Health Care Agency (recruitment by CEO-HR)
Opening Date 07/10/2025
Closing Date Continuous

WHAT WE OFFER - Compensation & Benefits

The County of Ventura offers attractive compensation and a complete benefits package. Aside from our base salary of $225,240.79 - $315,368.03/annual depending on qualifications, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

Recruitment Relocation Incentive: Executive management employees, as designated by the Director—Human Resources, may be offered a relocation allowance not to exceed $15,000 following criteria set forth in the (Management Resolution Sec. 616B.)

Educational Incentive: An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree not required for the position.

Executive Administrative Leave: The candidate selected for this position will earn 248 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service, 328 hours after 10 years of service, and 368 hours after 15 years of service or credit granted for prior public service (Management Resolution Sec. 616A).

Annual Leave Redemption: The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours.

Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.

Health Plans: You are afforded a flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans for Plan Year 2025.

Holidays: 12 paid days per year, including an annual scheduled floating holiday.

Miscellaneous Benefits: Other benefits include Flexible Spending Account Plans, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Benefit Reimbursement Program, and a Wellness Program. Incumbents are also entitled to County-paid membership in professional organizations related to their position.

Pension Plan as a Safety Member: Both you and the County contribute to the County’s Retirement Plan. If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as PERS. https://www.vcera.org/

Typical Qualifications

HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The Health Care Agency is the largest department in the County of Ventura employing approximately 3,800 people, with 1,100 of those in direct patient-care positions. The Health Care Agency is a comprehensive healthcare system that encompasses the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), Santa Paula Hospital, an Ambulatory Care Department with 24 primary care clinics and 11 specialty care clinics, the Ventura County Health Care Plan, the Public Health Department, and the Behavioral Health Department.  VCMC is also home to a top-rated (by Doximity and U.S. News & World Report) Family Medicine Residency Program and achieved the All Cases Meritorious award for surgical care year over year. It is also the West County Level II Trauma Center and is the only hospital in the county with an inpatient pediatrics unit.

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with strong skills in administration, management, supervision, budgeting, project management, and system improvement within a public healthcare setting.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, capable of performing effectively in a fast-paced environment, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They should have a proven track record of building successful collaborative relationships among multiple stakeholders and partners to leverage resources and maximize high-performance, customer-focused service outcomes in a healthcare setting.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to and under general direction of the Director of the Health Care Agency (HCA Director), and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital, and the Chief Executive Officer for the Ambulatory Care System, the incumbent is responsible for planning, implementation, and administration of all policies, programs, and services related to the County of Ventura Health Care Agency. This position will also provide executive-level technical, policy, administrative, operational, strategic, and fiscal direction and advice as delegated by the HCA Director, and act as the HCA Director in their absence.

SECOND-IN-COMMAND LEADING INNOVATION, COMPLIANCE, AND SERVICE DELIVERY

As the Chief Deputy Director of the Health Care Agency, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the health and well-being of the community through visionary leadership and operational excellence. Partnering closely with the HCA Director, you will drive strategic initiatives, oversee complex program operations, and ensure regulatory compliance while acting as the agency’s principal administrator in non-clinical matters. This dynamic role commands responsibility for workforce planning, organizational development, and budget management—all critical to delivering high-impact health services. You will represent the agency at the highest levels within government, community, and healthcare sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation. If you are a strategic, results-driven executive with a passion for health care delivery and a proven track record of transformative leadership, this is an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Typical Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 

Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Select examples of combinations or education and experience which reflect the required knowledge, skills and abilities are as follows: 

A bachelor’s degree in psychology, health sciences, economics, health administration, nursing, business administration, public health, or a  related field and five (5) years of executive-level health care management experience in in a public sector health care setting. 

Or

A graduate degree in health administration, business administration, public administration, public health, public policy, or related field and three (3) years executive-level health care management experience in in a public sector health care setting.

Or

A medical degree and three (3) years of executive-level health care management experience in in a public sector health care setting.

Other Requirements

• Possession of a valid California driver's license by the date of appointment.
• Completion of and passing a thorough background investigation, which may include a CA DOJ and FBI Live Scan.

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a public healthcare system and knowledge of the operation of public hospitals and ambulatory care clinics, particularly federally qualified health centers, are highly desirable.
• Master’s degree in health administration, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience including:

• Lean Six Sigma methodologies;
• Managing public sector budgets and reporting on financial matters;
• Developing and implementing public policies.
• Leadership in a safety-net healthcare setting
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal/Medicaid and Medicare programs
• Understanding of CalAIM and FQHC payment models
• Value-based contracting
• Management of public health emergencies

Supplemental Information: 

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, but the incumbent will be required to meet with various departments/agencies, business and community groups, the public, and outside vendors. Some travel, primarily within the state, is also required.

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance.

Recruitment Process

THE PROCESS

The first review of candidate application materials is anticipated on or around August 8, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by this date. All relevant work experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility. Candidates applying after the first review date will be reviewed weekly thereafter. This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time after the first review date.

After evaluating candidates' CVs or resumes and compelling cover letter, the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview. The panel interview will take place soon after the first review date. Invited candidates should plan accordingly.  The top candidates, as determined by the panel, will then be invited to subsequent interviews with County and HCA Executive Management. The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews, contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. 

TO APPLY 

To apply for this exceptional career opportunity, please send a resume and a cover letter that illustrates examples of your experience with all of the following: 

• Your experience with health care administration and operations.
• Your experience managing programs you developed including the operational budget, administration, and scope of the work.
• Your experience leading and managing staff, including the titles, sizes, and functions of staff you have supervised.

Submit your materials (email with attachments preferred) to:

Jessica Ruiz, Deputy Executive Officer – Human Resources, at Jessica.ruiz@venturacounty.gov or submit an online application and attachments (CV/resume and cover letter) at www.ventura.org/jobs.