Human Services Deputy Director (Assistant Director of Children Services)

The primary purpose of this position is to develop, implement, monitor, and supervise programs within the Children Services Section to ensure the dignity and integrity of the children, the parents, the agency, and the community is preserved. The goals of strengthening family function, preventing child abuse and neglect, providing quality care for children in out-of-home placements, and providing quality care for children in adoptive placements require that services delivered are child centered and family focused. Upon designation by the Director, the Assistant Director can serve as second in command of the agency in assuring the proper administration of all the department's programs, services and personnel to include state and federally mandated programs. The Assistant Director can be designated by the Director to assume overall agency responsibility in the absence of the Director. The Assistant Director will assist the Director in assuring that federal, state and local dollars are effectively and legally appropriated within the agency's formal budget. The Assistant 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 Assistant Director represents the agency in complex and challenging relationships with other public organizations, private profit and non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, judges, schools, hospitals, vendors, county government, elected officials and the media. The Assistant Director serves on the agency's Executive and Management Teams. The Assistant Director is responsible for providing direct supervision of the daily operations of the Children's Services Section. The Assistant Director of Children Services is responsible for the planning, development, administration, and supervision of a Section Chief who oversees six (6) Program Managers. The section consists of 15 child protective services units, six (6) child placement units, one (1) unit that provides coverage after hours, weekends and holidays. The Section Chief may also be responsible for the operation of two (2) residential group homes. The Assistant Director also carries out other duties such as reviewing actions taken by the Executive and Management Teams and program staff; supporting other Assistant Directors in different program areas in decision making to include decisions related to adult wards for whom the Director is guardian, economic programs and business operations. This position represents the agency in State, County and community meetings and appearing before various government boards, legislators, media and court. The Assistant Director will have the responsibility of human resource management and must be highly knowledgeable of state personnel and county policy. Job responsibilities and duties require this position to work after hours, holidays and weekends. This position requires flexibility in working non-traditional schedules to meet the duties, demands and responsibilities including disaster duty. PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Master's degree from an accredited school of social work with more than four (4) years of experience in a County Department of Social Services (with over two (2) of those years as a manager of supervisors). Position requires thorough knowledge of the legal and philosophical basis for public welfare programs and system. Considerable knowledge of principles and practice of social work including child and adult protective services and fiscal management in a public human services organization. Experience working with military communities and families preferred. MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: A Master's degree in social work, public administration, business administration, or human services field and two years of management experience in a human services agency or business, with a preference for one year of management experience in a human services agency; or, graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a human services, business or related degree and four years of management experience in a human services agency or business, with a preference for two years of management experience in a human services agency. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of methods and principles of social work supervision and training; thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and application to casework and community problems; considerable knowledge of social and economic factors in the community and local agencies and resources; considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern social services programs; considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of public administration, including personnel administration, budgeting, and office management including automation and technology; skill in directing a staff of social workers and supervisors and related professionals and students engaged in a variety of services. Knowledge of the agency's organization, operation and objectives and applicable federal, state and county laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions. Overall knowledge of adult protective services and economic services programs as this position can serve as second in command of the organization as designated by the Director. The Assistant Director is a highly visible leadership position and must communicate effectively internally and externally in formal and informal settings and must be effective in both written and oral communication.