Social Services Director II (Franklin City)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Franklin, VA

15d•$125,000

About The Position

The Social Services Director II is the second level in the Social Services Director job group. The role is responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate-sized office with varied and complex programs, and for supervising managers. The Director establishes department goals and objectives, administers benefits and service programs, coordinates multiple divisions, manages resources and budgets, and makes short- and long-term decisions based on community needs, data, trends, directives, and task force findings. The Director also represents the agency to the public and other organizations, works with the Board of Social Services, and coordinates with other human services administrators and agencies. The position requires extensive knowledge of human services administration, social services programs and regulations, management and supervision, strategic planning, fiscal management, personnel practices, government structures, and research methods. A master's degree in a relevant field and professional human services or social work experience with considerable supervisory or management experience are required, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Preferred qualifications include substantial experience in Virginia's social services system, program and budget management, strategic planning, organizational improvement, community partnerships, and working with boards, elected officials, community partners, and state agencies. The position requires acceptable background checks and a valid Virginia driver's license. The finalist must complete required criminal-history and Central Registry checks, fingerprinting, and other applicable screenings; offers are contingent on satisfactory results. Employees must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter during a natural disaster or other emergency. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated website.

Requirements

Master's degree in human services, behavioral science, counseling, business or public administration, or a related field, supplemented by professional experience in social work or another human services field and considerable supervisory or management experience; an equivalent combination of training and experience is acceptable.
Considerable knowledge of social, economic, and health issues affecting clients; the Social Security Act; welfare-service laws and regulations; local social services and public and private resources; social work caseload management; counseling methods; human services administration trends; community organization; and supervision.
Comprehensive knowledge of management and supervision, strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, leadership, personnel practices, program planning, fiscal management, funding sources, government and volunteer-agency structures, research methods, and statistical analysis.
Skill operating office equipment, including a personal computer and related equipment.
Ability to work effectively with others and communicate orally and in writing with diverse groups.
Ability to conduct research; plan and direct social services programs; interpret and implement policies and regulations; and enforce applicable local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
Ability to supervise division managers overseeing multiple program and administrative supervisors; establish effective administrative procedures; provide leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation; reason through problems; and analyze, initiate, and develop creative solutions.
Ability to mobilize community support, represent the agency before boards or councils, and negotiate contracts that support program and policy objectives.
Acceptable background checks and a valid driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in Virginia.
Must meet local agency driving-record policy requirements and be willing to work in a local emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.
Finalist must complete required fingerprinting and criminal-history and Central Registry checks; other screenings may include local agency checks, employment and reference verification, education verification, credit checks relevant to employment, and a pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in a Virginia Department of Social Services setting and familiarity with the City, agency, or surrounding areas.
Extensive experience in the Virginia Social Services System.
Familiarity with Family Services programs, including Child Protective Services, Prevention Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, and domestic violence programs.
Familiarity with benefit programs including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Energy, Child Care, and IV-E.
Familiarity with the Children’s Services Act.
Significant budget experience.
Familiarity with VDSS Non-Deviating Human Resources Policy.
Understanding of the legislative process and its effects on social services.
Ability to create and sustain community partnerships and speak to large groups about Social Services programs.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budget management, and organizational improvement.
Proven ability to work effectively with governing boards, elected officials, community partners, and state agencies.

Responsibilities

Establish goals and objectives for the Department of Social Services.
Administer Social Services benefits and service programs.
Authorize, coordinate, and direct programs across multiple divisions.
Communicate the agency's mission and each division's duties.
Manage and coordinate division managers' workflows.
Work with the Board of Social Services to prepare agendas concerning administrative matters.
Recommend policy and legislative changes through reports, budget items, impact statements, and directives.
Make short- and long-term decisions based on needs, problems, data, trends, directives, and task force findings.
Obtain and manage agency resources.
Prepare agency budgets, track expenditures, anticipate trends, and redirect resources according to priority needs.
Authorize expenditures for special funds.
Determine whether new programs or services are needed or existing ones should be modified.
Interview, hire, and reassign staff as needed.
Communicate Social Services programs and represent the department to the public on legislative issues.
Serve on committees and boards and give presentations as needed or requested.
Delegate typical personnel matters and daily agency operations to division managers as appropriate.
Approve special placements of children pending formal Board of Social Services action.
Communicate and plan with other human services administrators.
Interpret policies and programs to other agencies.
Plan and direct varied social services programs, implement policies and regulations, and enforce applicable laws and rules.
Represent the agency before boards or councils, develop community support and awareness, and negotiate contracts supporting program and policy objectives.