Social Services Director III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services Board seeks an experienced human services professional to lead a Level III social services department in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Social Services Director III is the second level in the Social Services Director group. The position is responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate-size 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 Director leads the department and ensures compliance across mandated and discretionary federal, state, and local programs. The role establishes policies and procedures, oversees program operations and evaluations, directs service and administrative divisions, manages workflow through deputy or assistant directors and division managers, and oversees accounting systems, budgets, expenditures, and financial decisions. It also provides organizational leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation; develops procedures for emergency and community service needs; maintains relationships with external organizations; represents the agency with boards, committees, associations, and legal counsel; and negotiates contracts. The agency serves residents through SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, adoption, foster care, child protective services, and adult protective services programs. The Director must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency. Employment is contingent on satisfactory required background checks and screenings, and the applicant must hold a valid Virginia driver's license with a driving record meeting local agency policy requirements.

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; or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Comprehensive knowledge of management practices, supervision, program planning, personnel and fiscal management, and program funding sources.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal government structures and volunteer agencies, particularly in human services; research methods and statistical analysis; relevant social, economic, and health issues; the Social Security Act; and laws and regulations governing welfare services.
Knowledge of local social services, public and private resources for people in need, social work caseload management, and client counseling methods and techniques.
Knowledge of strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, coordination of people and resources, and personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation, benefits, and information systems.
Knowledge of trends and developments in human services administration and basic principles of community organization and supervision.
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 varied 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 and multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative programs and a large, diverse staff.
Ability to mobilize community support and build awareness of county programs; establish effective management and administrative programs and procedures; and represent the agency before boards or councils.
Ability to apply logical reasoning to problem-solving; provide leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation; negotiate contracts; and analyze, initiate, concentrate, and work creatively with ingenuity.
Acceptable background check results and a valid driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in Virginia are required.
Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements.
Finalist must submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a Central Registry search. Additional checks may include state and FBI fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment and reference verification, relevant education verification, relevant credit checks, driving record checks, and/or a pre-employment drug screen.
Must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter in the event of 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 and ensure compliance across diverse 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, and monitor expenditures.
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 directors and/or assistant directors who supervise multiple division managers.
Evaluate the effectiveness of established strategies, procedures, and policies.
Develop departmental procedures addressing disaster preparedness; community partner agreements; mass care for citizens and people experiencing homelessness; after-hours staff deployment to police precincts; regional self-help initiatives such as the Earned Income Tax Credit; children's health insurance enrollment; and efficient services for 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, 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.
Work in a local emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.