County Social Services Director

Cumberland County is seeking a leader who can formulate strategies and initiatives to positively affect families while keeping pace with the challenges inherent in a growing community with a large military component.  This position is responsible for overall agency operations.   Candidates should have leadership skills to inspire and motivate a dedicated workforce; a thorough knowledge of the philosophical and legal basis for public assistance programs, and skill in building collaborative approaches to achieving objectives. DEPARTMENT AND POSITION OVERVIEW: The Cumberland County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) is among the largest social services departments in the state. CCDSS assists citizens in meeting their basic daily living needs through financial, nutritional, and medical assistance. The department promotes the well-being of citizens through social work services to strengthen families, and protective services to prevent or remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable children and disabled or elderly adults. Cumberland DSS has a fiduciary budget of $975 million, operating budget of over $66 million and 732 employees, who work in seven sections.  The department’s core sections consist of Adult, Economic, and Children’s Services who administer the mandated federal-state programs and services including Food Stamps, Child Care, Medicaid, Energy, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Protection, Adult Protection, and Foster Parenting.  Sections that provide support services includes Administration, Business Operations (human resources, finance, facilities management, transportation), Legal (attorneys, paralegals), and Performance Management (data management, quality assurance, training). The Department administers three non-mandated programs consisting of family violence programs including operating the County’s only battered women’s shelter, provider for Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation and operates a Level I group home for boys and girls. The Department supports the disaster shelters for the County, in conjunction with the American Red Cross; and when federally mandated, administers the disaster supplemental nutritional assistance program (DSNAP-food stamps) in the event of natural or man-made disasters.  The Department is lead facilitator for unmet needs during disasters and coordinates the community partners collaborative efforts to meet the food, clothing, financial, and donation needs of citizens immediately following a disaster. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Social Services Director is responsible for administering state and federal social services programs established by Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes in accordance with applicable federal and state rules. The DSS Director reports directly to the Board of Social Services and reports indirectly to the County Manager’s Office. The Director serves as Secretary to the Board of Social Services.  The Board of Social Services has a legal charge for advising county, city, and state officials regarding social conditions of the community. The Director of Cumberland County Department of Social Services position serves as administrator over the department's programs, services and personnel to include state and federally mandated and non-mandated programs.   Planning to meet community needs is of paramount importance, as the Director ensures that programs and services provided by each section are comprehensive, coordinated and delivered in a manner consistent with the mandates, policy requirements and the agency's overall mission, vision, and goals. The Director assures that the federal, state and local dollars are effectively and legally appropriated within the agency's formal budget and recommends to the Board of Social Services, transmission of the budget to the County Commissioners for approval. Considerable attention and oversight is required to ensure proper and most optimum use of fiscal resources. The Director position understands and assures the application of multiple and complex program rules and regulations relating to broad program and fiscal policies that come from state and federal sources. The Director represents the agency in complex and challenging relationships with other public organizations, private for-profit and non­profit organizations, advocacy groups, judicial systems, schools, hospitals, vendors, county government, elected officials and the media. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Examples of Duties: 

• Provides clear and effective general operational leadership and management for the agency.
• Maintains a track record of interdepartmental collaboration to enhance service delivery, systematic monitoring of state performance standards, particularly around Medicaid to avoid penalties, and actionable career development and succession planning to ensure continuity of services;
• Reviews actions taken by program staff; assisting division leaders in decision making to include decisions related to children in the agency’s custody and adult wards for whom the Director is guardian;
• Director has the statutory responsibility of the agency's human resources system. Provide oversight and competent coordination of personnel matters and interaction with the Office of State Human Resources, County Legal Department, County Human Resources, and other legal processes are a routine job responsibility;
• Assures operational design and implementation of the agency's strategic planning activities;
• Assures proper coordination of DSS services with other local government agencies and providers in the private and non-profit sectors;
• Interpretation, coordination, and development of programs with the Board of Social Services, County Commissioners, County officials, state agencies, citizens' groups, sister organizations, etc. to ensure their understanding of the organization's operations and develop positive public relations;
• Represents and appears before various government boards, legislatures, media and court systems as well as representation in community groups, task forces, inter-agency committees, meetings, and at conferences or workshops at the federal, state, county, or community level.

• Work in collaboration with County Leadership to improve staff recruitment and retention to include continued support for remote and virtual service delivery and administration of the programs.
• Implement mandated federal and state legislative actions ex. Family First Prevention Services Act, State’s NC FAST Case Management System in Child Welfare and Medicaid Expansion
• Continue the implementation of A Model Approach for Change in Child Welfare (AMAC-CW) to improve well-being outcomes for children in foster care especially those aging out through a hybrid collective impact initiative.
• Advocate and collaborate with key stakeholders for the delivery of quality mental health services for at-risk adults and children especially those in need of therapeutic residential services, with specific emphasis on the social impact of the opioid epidemic, human trafficking, and erosion of mental health services.
• Continue the partnership with Public Health in developing the County’s Coordination & Case Management Prevention Collaborative.
• Implement State and Congressional legislation unwinding of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) & Medicaid.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: A master’s degree in social work and two years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services; or a bachelor’s degree in social work and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, one of which must have been in Social Services; or graduation from a four year college or university and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, two of which must have been in Social Services; or an equivalent combination of training and experience PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:   Previous experience as a County Social Services Director. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of the legal and philosophical basis for public welfare programs. Considerable knowledge of principles and practice of social work. Thorough knowledge of management principles, techniques, and practices. Knowledge of the agency’s organization, operation and objectives and applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to: exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions; direct employees and programs in the various areas of responsibility; and develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, and with federal, state, and local officials.   The complexity in administration of mandated and non-mandated social services programs in Cumberland County, requires a leader with extensive years of service, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of social services programs, a strong grasp on federal and state legislation that impacts service delivery, keen insight, understanding and interpretation of federal, state, and local fiscal impacts, as well as an intricate skill set for managing human resources and employee relations. The individual will need to possess the ability to strategically forecast, plan, and successfully execute programmatic and system’s changes within strict timeliness perimeters.   CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The selected applicant will be subject to the following conditions prior to appointment. Failure to complete or fulfill these conditions may result in dismissal. The employee in this position will be operating motor vehicles for Cumberland County and shall have a valid North Carolina Driver’s License. Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or a confirmed positive test shall be a basis for withdrawal of the conditional employment offer. Law enforcement background check is required. Duties of this position require the use of the employee’s personal vehicle.   This position will require assisting in emergency and/or disaster situations.   The Cumberland County Department of Social Services has a dress code policy that must be adhered to. This policy includes specific guidelines related to tattoos and body piercing.   College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302.  Prior to employment start date, an official transcript must be presented in its original unopened envelope. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log into your account and click "Application Status." If there are specific questions regarding this posting, you may contact Yvette Lofton or Shirley Harris, Human Resources @ (910) 677-2580. MISSION The Cumberland County Department of Social Services stands united to strengthen individuals and families and to protect children and vulnerable adults. We collaborate with our community partners to provide programs and services which engage our customers in improving their quality of life.   VISION We envision our Department... as a catalyst for improving quality of life through teamwork, partnership, forward thinking, and cutting-edge service delivery. We envision our customers...as partners, motivated and empowered to improve their quality of life.   OUR CORE STANDARDS & VALUES A quality customer experience, business operations and employee experience represents our three Core Standards that guide our principles and values. We have identified eight core values and validating behaviors that define our Departments: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Diversity, Innovation, Optimism, Integrity and Flexibility.