Social Services Director III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

11d•$74,805 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Services Director III is the second level in the Social Services Director group. The Director is responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate-sized office with varied and complex programs and supervises managers. The Director works with and under the direction of the Agency Administrative Board, comprised of the County Administrator and the City Manager. The role leads the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services, ensuring compliance across mandated and non-mandated federal, state, and local programs. It establishes policies, procedures, and standards; oversees program operations and evaluations; manages the department budget and accounting systems; directs service, benefit, financial, and administrative divisions; and provides organizational leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation. The Director also develops community and organizational partnerships, represents the agency with external bodies, manages staffing, and negotiates contracts. The department serves residents through programs including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, adoption and foster care services, child protective services, and adult protective services. The employee must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of management practices and supervision principles.
Knowledge of program planning, personnel and fiscal management, and program funding sources.
Knowledge of the organization and structure of local, state, and federal government and volunteer agencies, particularly in human services.
Knowledge of research methods and statistical analysis.
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health issues relating to clients in the jurisdiction.
Knowledge of the Social Security Act and laws and regulations governing welfare-service administration.
Knowledge of social services offered in the county or city and available public and private resources and services for people in need.
Knowledge of social work caseload management and counseling methods and techniques.
Knowledge of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge of personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, and personnel information systems.
Knowledge of literature, trends, and developments in human services administration and basic principles of community organization and supervision.
Skill in 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 diverse social services programs; interpret and implement policies and regulations; and enforce local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
Ability to manage a complex human services agency with significant management demands, multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative programs, and a large, diverse staff.
Ability to establish and implement effective management and administrative programs and procedures; provide logical reasoning for problem solving; and analyze, initiate, concentrate, and be creative with ingenuity.
Master's degree in a human services field, 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 other management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Acceptable background checks and a valid driver's license permitting operation of a motor vehicle in Virginia are required.
Must satisfy required background checks and screenings, which may include criminal history, Central Registry, driving record, drug screening, fingerprinting, local agency checks, employment verification and references, education verification, and credit checks when relevant.
Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements.
Must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing a budget.
Considerable progressive Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) experience, including a supervisory or management role.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the Social Services Department to ensure compliance across a wide variety of mandated and non-mandated federal, state, and local programs.
Establish procedures, policies, and standards; monitor program operations; and evaluate program effectiveness and results.
Plan and oversee complex accounting systems and the department budget, make financial decisions to achieve policy and program goals, monitor expenditures, and make policy decisions based on internal and external considerations.
Authorize, coordinate, and direct multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative divisions.
Manage and coordinate the workflow of deputy director and/or assistant directors who supervise multiple division managers.
Evaluate the effectiveness of established strategies, procedures, and policies.
Plan and develop departmental procedures addressing disaster preparedness, community-partner agreements and needs, mass care, after-hours deployment of staff to police precincts, regional collaboration, child health-insurance enrollment, and efficient service delivery to families and children.
Design services, define objectives and strategies, and implement, monitor, and evaluate mandated and discretionary social service programs.
Develop and maintain relationships with external organizations to facilitate program goals.
Serve as liaison with external organizations, including boards and committees, professional and service associations, and legal counsel.
Interview, hire, and reassign staff as needed.
Provide organizational leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation.
Negotiate contracts to support program and policy objectives.
Represent the agency before boards or councils.
Mobilize community support and generate awareness of programs offered in the county or city.
Work in a local emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.