Commissioner of Social Services

Suffolk County • Ronkonkoma, NY

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Suffolk County Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is seeking to fill the position of Commissioner of Social Services. This role involves significant responsibility for the development and implementation of administrative policies and procedures for the Department of Social Services. The Commissioner is responsible for the overall organization, direction, and coordination of all personnel within the department. They have complete control over departmental operations and personnel direction, subject to financial limitations imposed by the County Legislature and the State Department of Social Services. The work is performed in accordance with the Social Services Law and is reviewed by the County Executive through required reports.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State and seven (7) years of full-time paid experience in a health, education, or social service agency, five (5) years of which must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity.
• OR Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State and seven (7) years of responsible full-time paid experience in an administrative or management position, where there is responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the work of a substantial staff working in several units or performing several separate functions.
• Each year of experience as a Chief Executive Officer of a public social services department of a public social services district, within six years immediately preceding the date of appointment, shall be equivalent to two years of the above-prescribed experience.
• Post-graduate training in social work, public administration, hospital administration, educational administration, or business administration from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State shall be the equivalent, on a year-for-year basis up to two years, of the above-prescribed experience.
• No post-graduate training can be substituted for the administrative or supervisory experience required.
• All appointments to the position of Commissioner of Social Services must be approved by the State Commissioner of Social Services.
• Appointment is by the County Executive, with confirmation by the Legislature, for a term of five (5) years.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements and enforces policies and procedures for the administration of all departmental operations.
• Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and supervises all departmental programs and services.
• Coordinates financial planning for the department, including budget preparation, fiscal control, and report submission to the County legislature and the State.
• Coordinates the development and administration of a comprehensive staff development program, including in-service training and the use of other education resources.
• Formulates and implements performance standards to measure program, division, and employee productivity.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of all Federal, State, and local reports.
• Coordinates Departmental programs with other County and private human resources services.
• Coordinates with other agencies, public and private officials, and citizens in planning for community service.
• Establishes and maintains the necessary organizational structure to efficiently implement and maintain New York State regulations and standards relative to public welfare programs and submits required reports to the State Department of Social Services.
• Establishes and maintains effective public relations with the community regarding the public welfare program, its policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Pension
• Paid Time Off: Vacation (2 weeks to start) is accrued based on length of service; sick leave allows employees to take time off for illness without sacrificing pay; personal days can be used for a variety of reasons; and thirteen (13) paid holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: regular working hours, reducing the need for overtime or irregular shifts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive