Social Services Director II (Alleghany-Covington)

Hands-on opportunity for passionate human services professionals to lead a moderate-sized (40 employees) social services agency. This is an opportunity to effect real change in the way social service programs are delivered, working with an Administrative Board that is receptive to creative and innovative strategies. The setting is located in Covington, Virginia – in the heart of the Blue Ridge, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. This is an opportunity to become part of a close-knit, genuine friendly community.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Social Services Director II is the second level in the group for Social Services Directors. Employees are responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate size office with varied and complex programs and for supervising managers. 

 General work tasks include, but are not limited to: 

• Establishes the goals and objectives for the Department of Social Services. 

• Administers the Social Services Benefits Programs and Service Programs. 

• Authorizes, coordinates and directs the programs of multiple divisions. 

• Communicates the mission of the agency and duties of each division. 

• Manages and coordinates workflow of division managers. 

• Works with Board of Social Services in the preparation of the agenda of administrative matters. 

• Recommend policy and legislation changes through the presentation of reports and budget items, impact statements and directives. 

• Make short-term and long-term decisions based on needs/problems, data, state and national trends and directives, and task force findings. 

• Obtains and manages the agency's resources. 

• Prepares agency budgets. 

• Tracks expenditures, anticipates trends and redirects resources based on priority of needs. 

• Authorizes expenditures for special funds. 

• Determines need for new programs/services or need to modify existing ones. 

• Interviews, hires, and reassigns staff as needed. 

• Communicates Social Services program.

• Acts as a department spokesman with public and liaison on legislative issues; serves on committees and board and gives presentations as needed or requested. 

• May delegate responsibilities of typical personnel matters and daily operation of the agency to division managers.

• Approves special placements of children pending formal action by the Board of Social Services

• Communicates and plans with other human services administrators; and interprets policy and programs to other agencies.

• Interprets policy and program to other agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

KNOWLEDGE - Considerable knowledge of: 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; methods and techniques of counseling with clients; literature, trends and developments in the field of human services administration; and basic principles of community organization and supervision. Comprehensive knowledge of: management practices and principles of supervision; 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; program planning, 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.

 SKILL - Skill in operating office equipment including the personal computer and related equipment. 

ABILITY - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse groups of persons; conduct research; plan and direct social services programs of varied natures; interpret and implement policies and regulations and enforce local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.  Supervise the work of division managers that supervise multiple program and administrative supervisors; 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 Co