Social Services Director III (Shenandoah Valley)

New LHRC External Career Site•Verona, VA

About The Position

The Shenandoah Valley Department of Social Services Boards are seeking a dynamic, dedicated and experienced human services professional to lead a Level III social services department in Verona, Virginia. The City of Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County are centrally located in the Shenandoah Valley in west central Virginia. The area is ideally located at the crossroads of Interstate 81 and 64; approximately 85 miles north of Roanoke, 95 miles west of Richmond and 150 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The area is also convenient to the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway and is served by Shenandoah Valley Airport. The region is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys and a moderate climate. Augusta County is bordered on the west by the lower elevations of the Alleghany Mountains and in the east by the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The headwaters of two major rivers, James and Potomac, are located here. Treasured villages and towns with well-preserved architecture are of historical significance. Over 45 percent of the land in the county is used for agriculture. The dynamic City of Staunton is located at the crossroads of Interstates 81 and 64. With a population of more than 25,000, Staunton boasts a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere signature of a small town, but also offers one-of-a-kind cultural amenities that you're more likely to find in a larger, metropolitan area. The City Manager form of government originated in Staunton in 1908. Staunton is the home for the Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind, Western State Hospital, and the Commonwealth Center for Children. The City of Waynesboro is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its strong sense of family and community. Downtown revitalization includes a focus on outdoor amenities, remembrance of local history, the arts and local festivals. Fishburne Military Academy is located in the city. Shenandoah Valley Social Services (SVSS) provides human services assistance to citizens experiencing financial hardship, neglect and abuse in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. The mission of SVSS is to promote self-reliance and protect citizens through community-based services. The agency provides benefit and service programs. Benefits are paid through federal, state, and local funds. The Shenandoah Valley Social Services serves three jurisdictions from offices in Verona and Waynesboro. There are 179 employees and Augusta County is the fiscal agent. Oversight of the agency is provided by an administrative board comprised of one person from each locality. The board members consist of the city manager, or county administrator or designee. The three boards meet bi-monthly to discuss the agency’s business. The administrative costs of the agency are shared with each local government based on their share of the agency caseload. Program costs are paid by each local government. The Children’s Services Act (CSA) is operated through the social services department and is also a regional operation. There are three Family Assessment and Planning Teams (one for each jurisdiction) and one Community Policy Management Team. Under the authority of the three boards, the office directs, monitors, reviews and evaluates a wide array of programs and services conducted on behalf of the citizens of the greater Augusta area. These services are carried out in a manner that acknowledges that the citizen is the prime customer of social services. The development and maintenance of effective citizen relations is a major area of responsibility, as is encouragement of citizen participation in the governmental process. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Social Services Director III is the third level in the group for Social Services Directors and reports to the Shenandoah Valley Social Services Administrative Board. Employees are responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a large office with varied and complex programs and are responsible for supervising managers that supervise other first-line managers. The Director supervises the programmatic and fiscal operation of the agency, including: Eligibility Division which determines eligibility for benefit programs including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, General Relief, State and Local Hospitalization, VIEW, Energy Assistance Program, and any other income-based eligibility program administered by the agency, as well as the Welfare Fraud unit; and Services Division, which administers Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Adult Services, Daycare Services and the Children’s Services Act programs.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of: management practices and principles of supervision; program planning, personnel and fiscal management and program funding sources; organization and structure of local, State and Federal government, and volunteer agencies, particularly regarding human services; and research methods and statistical analysis; the current social, economic, and health issues relating to clients in jurisdiction; Social Security Act; laws and regulations on administration of welfare services; social services offered in the county or city; available public and private resources and services for the needy; social work case load management; the methods and techniques of counseling with clients; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources; principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, and personnel information systems; literature, trends and developments in the field of human services administration; and basic principles of community organization and supervision.
Skill in operating office equipment including the personal computer and related equipment.
Demonstrated ability to: work effectively with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse group of persons; conduct research; plan and direct social services programs of varied natures; interpret and implement policies and regulations and enforce local, state, federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; manage a complex human services agency with significant management demands having multiple service, benefit, financial and administrative programs and large and diverse staff; mobilize community support and generate community awareness of programs offered in the county; establish and implement effective management and administrative programs and procedures; represent the agency before the Boards or Councils; provide reasoning and application of logical thinking for problem solving; provide leadership in system designs, personnel management, and budget formulation; negotiate contracts to support program and policy objectives; and analyze, initiate, concentrate and be creative with ingenuity.
Master's degree in human services field, a behavioral science, counseling, business or public administration or related field supplemented with significant management experience in a social work, community or other human services organization OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Acceptable background checks and a valid driver's license allowing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of Virginia are required.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
This investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2-1601.1 or §63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.
All offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements.
Employees must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Responsibilities

Leads and manages the Social Services Department to ensure program compliance for a wide variety and diverse mandated and non-mandated federal, state, and local programs;
Establishes procedures, policies and standards; monitors program operations and evaluates effectiveness and results of these programs;
Plans and oversees complicated accounting systems/department budget and makes financial decisions to achieve policy and program goals; monitors expenditures; makes policy decisions based on internal and external considerations;
Authorizes, coordinates and directs multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative divisions;
Manages and coordinates workflow of deputy director and/or assistant directors that supervise multiple division managers;
Evaluates effectiveness of established strategies, procedures and policies;
Plans and develops departmental procedures in response to: disaster preparedness; needs of / agreements with community partners; provision of mass care to citizens and/or the homeless community; the need to deploy staff to police precincts to cover human service needs after normal business hours; the need to collaborate regionally to ensure citizens participate in self-help projects such as the Earned Income Tax Credit; the need to enroll children in health insurance; and the need to provide services to families and children in the most efficient and effective way;
Designs services, defines objectives and strategies, implements, monitors and evaluates mandated and discretionary social service programs;
Develops and maintains relationships with external organizations to facilitate program goals;
Serves as liaison with external organizations, such as boards and committees, professional and service associations, and legal counsel;
Interviews, hires, and reassigns staff as needed;
Provides organizational leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation; and
Negotiates contracts to support program and policy objectives.