Agenda

Return

D.2

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Monica Nino, County Administrator
Date:	March 22, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Appoint Marla Stuart to the position of Director of Employment and Human Services - Exempt

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/22/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Paula Webb 655-2044

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 22, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPOINT Marla Stuart to the position of Director of Employment and Human Services – Exempt (SMA XAA2) at Step 2 of the salary range ($18,530/$222,353), effective April 11, 2022, including all benefits provided in the current Management Resolution applicable to the position of Director of Employment and Human Services – Exempt, in addition to vacation accruals starting at the rate of four weeks per year.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The estimated annual County cost for the Director of Employment and Human Services - Exempt position is $351,000, of which $49,600 are pension costs. The estimated cost for the remaining fiscal year 2021/2022 is $102,472, of which $14,500 are pension costs based on a start date of April 11, 0222. All costs are budgeted in the Department of Employment and Human Services.

BACKGROUND:

The Director of Employment and Human Services, Kathy Gallagher, informed the County Administrator that she would be retiring effective during March 2022. The County contracted Avery Associates to conduct the recruitment to fill the vacancy. Ads were placed with appropriate industry publications and websites. Invitations and recruitment brochures were sent via traditional and electronic mail to potential candidates targeted by the executive search firm.

The recruitment garnered six (6) applications for further consideration. Applications were screened, and three (3) semi-finalists were forwarded to the County panel and scheduled for interviews on February 9, 2022. The County Interview panel was comprised of Monica Nino, County Administrator, Contra Costa County, David Twa, County Administrator (retired), Contra Costa County and Lori Cox, Director, Alameda County Social Services Agency, and were facilitated by Paul Kimura of Avery Associates. A follow-up candidate interview was conducted by Contra Costa County Administrator Monica Nino on February 25, 2022, along with thorough reference checks. Following the interview, Marla Stuart was selected by the County Administrator for the position of Director of Employment and Human Services.

Ms. Stuart holds a Doctorate in social welfare from the University of California at Berkeley, a Master of Social Work in community organization and planned social change from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Greenville College.
Since 2019, Ms. Stuart served as the Deputy Director of the Health & Social Services Department in Solano County as part of the executive team responsible for a $376 million budget and personnel roster of 1300 employees. She brings nine years of specialized executive experience in county Health and Human Services, and six years in her field at the University of California. As the successful applicant, Ms. Stuart is qualified to serve as this County’s Director of Employment and Human Services.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Director of Employment and Human Services position will remain vacant, leaving a vulnerable management position in the Department.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Speakers: No name given; no name given.