ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES (CHILD WELFARE) - 40001275

Durham County•Durham, NC

3d•$102,413 - $138,196

About The Position

This position is one of two Assistant Directors responsible for overseeing and leading the Child & Family Services Division, which provides mandated services to protect the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and families. Services include Child Protective Services Investigative Assessments, Child Protective Services In-Home/Prevention, Child Placement/Permanence, LINKS, and the Foster Care 18-21 program. The position has assigned programmatic and administrative focus areas and must also be knowledgeable about all division services. The role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely documentation, evaluating service quality and compliance, improving client access and service delivery, achieving child protection outcomes, complying with applicable program policies and regulations, maintaining accountability to stakeholders, and using resources effectively. Under the general direction of the Deputy Social Services Director, the Assistant Director plans, organizes, and collaborates on division budget operations, strategic planning, and organizational development. In the absence of the Director or Deputy Director, the position may serve as acting Director and make decisions involving financial matters, personnel, guardianship responsibilities, and service provision. The Assistant Director may represent the Department in public presentations, meetings with public and elected officials, consumer information and complaints, and collaborative projects with community and county government administrators. The role is also the point of contact for the Emergency Special Needs Medical Shelter and ensures it is staffed as needed.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, practices, and their application to casework and community problems.
Considerable knowledge of community social and economic factors and of local agencies and resources.
Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing social services programs.
Considerable knowledge of public administration principles and techniques, including personnel administration, budgeting, and office management.
Skill in directing a large staff of social workers, supervisors, related professionals, and students engaged in varied services.
Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a master's degree from an accredited school of social work and four years of social work or counseling experience, including two years supervisory; a bachelor's degree in social work and five years of social work or counseling experience, including two years supervisory; a bachelor's degree in a human services field or related curriculum with at least 15 semester hours in social work- or counseling-related courses and six years of social work or counseling experience, including two years supervisory; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

Assist with developing an overall strategic plan for the Child & Family Services Division.
Collect data and conduct statistical analysis on an ongoing basis.
Collaborate with the DSS Board, County Commissioners, funders, and community service providers to obtain needed client resources and services.
Develop and implement plans to ensure adequate staffing levels and staff competencies.
Collaborate with community agencies and maintain open lines of communication with agencies providing or referring clients to services for vulnerable children and families.
Identify and implement strategies to strengthen interagency cooperation.
Direct the division primarily through oversight of its two program managers.
Recommend organizational changes to the DSS Director, including changes to policies, procedures, workflow, and programs.
Ensure program credibility and accountability to stakeholders, including citizens and elected officials.
Design and implement methods to monitor progress toward programmatic and operational objectives.
Assess progress through formal and informal reporting, identify causes of significant deviations from objectives, and implement corrective strategies.
Conduct performance appraisals, including developing individualized work plans.
Develop strategies with section managers to promote positive staff relations and productive work teams.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Finance on division budgetary operations, strategic planning, and organizational development.
Represent the Department in public presentations, meetings, consumer matters, and collaborative projects as assigned.
Serve as the Emergency Special Needs Medical Shelter point of contact and ensure it is staffed as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.