SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER

Position Number: 22110222 
County: Pulaski 
Posting End Date:  August 10, 2026

This position will have responsibility for statewide practice implementation and operational oversight of the Division's core practice framework while also serving as the lead for multiple strategic and compliance initiatives. These responsibilities require continuous coordination with leadership, field staff, external partners, and federal stakeholders and cannot be absorbed by existing staff without significantly impacting statewide operations. This position will assume the responsibilities previously assigned to the Program Administrator responsible for: Structured Decision Making (SDM), Safety Organized Practices (SOP), Team Decision Making (TDM), practice implementation, and practice guidance, practice consultation, and ongoing monitoring of practice fidelity.

In addition to those existing responsibilities, this position will also oversee the Division's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts, coordinate federal initiatives and compliance activities, monitor federal guidance and legislative changes, support implementation of new laws and federal requirements, respond to federal requests, assist in completion of federal reports, and assist with division wide planning and implementation activities. The position will also be responsible for coordinating MOUs for the entire division, FOIA requests for the entire division, correspondence, reports, and other strategic projects assigned by leadership. This includes working collaboratively across divisions and with external stakeholders. 

The combination of ongoing statewide practice oversight, quality improvement work, federal coordination, leadership support, and strategic project management represents a continuous operational workload requiring dedicated leadership. These responsibilities are essential to maintaining consistent statewide practice, supporting compliance, advancing Division priorities, and ensuring successful implementation of agency initiatives.  

Preferred Qualification:

Specific skills and/or professional background details: Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws, regulation, policies, and evidence informed practices. Extensive knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement principles, planning, and project management, organizational change, and program administration. Extensive knowledge of SDM, SOP, and TDM practices. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, interpret performance data, develop strategic recommendations, lead initiatives, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively. Strong skills in policy analysis, contract oversight, legislative implementation, problem solving, report writing, and organizational leadership. Ability to build collaborative partnerships, lead system improvement efforts, and successfully implement large scale statewide initiatives. 

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.