Assistant Director of Social Services - Family Services

Hiring Range: $96,034 to $151,059

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Summary
Under limited supervision, performs highly responsible supervisory and administrative work managing the Career and Resource Center, all public assistance benefit programs and part of the Day Care service program for the City Social Services Department. Authorizes, plans, coordinates, and directs the divisions and assists in the direction of all public assistance, entitlement, and social services programs administered by the City; supervises all professional and technical personnel; performs various administrative functions; and serves on various state, regional and local human services boards and commissions. Oversees the development and implementation of procedures and policies within the department and divisions, recommends changes, and conducts various studies related to social service issues. Exercises considerable initiative in the effective and efficient administration of departmental and division programs. Exercises tact and courtesy in contact with City and State officials, program clients, and the general public. Reports to the Director of Social Services.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; conducts interviews and makes hiring recommendations.
• Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
• Assists in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates actions necessary to correct deviations/violations.
• Consults with Director, Assistant Directors, or other officials to review operations/activities, resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; assists Director in representing the department before City Council and City Administration; ensures proper operation of department and performs duties of Director in absence of same.
• Assists in developing and implementing vision, mission, goals, and objectives for the department; assists in evaluating efficiency and effectiveness of department programs, operations, procedures, and resource management; recommends and/or implements improvements in programs and operational procedures as needed.
• Assist in development of local agency policies and procedures for effective provision and administration of departmental programs, staff supervision and administration; assist in interpretation and implementation of federal and state procedures and policy changes; interpret and respond to inquiries from staff, clients, media, city officials, and the general public regarding rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; assist in completion of department's budget.
• Coordinates division programs and activities with other agencies; collaborates with other agencies, City/state personnel, or other groups to ensure appropriate level of service availability; seeks involvement with other human service agencies to maximize opportunities for self-sufficiency.
• Plans, organizes, and manages all direct service delivery areas, including Child Welfare and Prevention programs, Adult Services, Court Services, and Day Care; manages activities of Comprehensive Services and Early Childhood Development Commission.
• Oversees and directs activities of the Financial Services Division; assists with direction of all public assistance, entitlement, and social services programs administered by the City.
• Oversees and directs operations of the Career & Resource Center; determines and justifies staffing and staffing needs.
• Researches and compiles various statistical, demographic, or administrative data; analyzes data and identifies trends; coordinates preparation of various reports for City officials, community resources, professional meetings, or other purposes.
• Completes studies, reports, statistics, or other documentation for use within and outside the agency; prepares formal policy directives, memoranda, and instructions for signature by Director.
• Assesses, identifies, and reviews training needs for the division.
• Provides information and assistance related to department programs, services, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, or other issues; responds to questions/complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, performance appraisals, job descriptions, budget documents, grant proposals, charts, technical reports, production reports, presentations, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, job applications, budget reports, expenditure reports, statistical reports, caseload reports, grant documents, professional publications, studies, bulletins, periodicals, federal registers, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a personal computer, general office equipment, laminator, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, graphics, research, e mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
• Communicates with director, management staff, employees, other departments, City officials, government agencies, community partners, social services agencies, clients, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
• Attends various meetings, serves on boards/committees, and makes presentations as needed; serves as agency liaison/representative for various external committees, task forces, and special events; participates in meeting of Local Social Services Administrative Board, to include making oral presentations, participating in Board activities, and serving as chairman in absence of director as appropriate.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; attends conferences, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.
• Assists with coordination of agency disaster response activities.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employee must be willing to work disaster related assignments, including serving at the Emergency Operations Center, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work, Business Administration, Public Administration, or closely related field; supplemented by seven (7) years previous experience and/or training that includes progressively responsible social services program management, human services management, supervision, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Assistant Director of Social Services.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques associated with social services.

Knowledge of the philosophical and legal basis for public assistance and entitlement programs.

Knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing administration and provision of public assistance and entitlement programs.

Knowledge of the programs, policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the State and City Social Services programs.

Knowledge of the organization and structure of local, State and federal government, and volunteer agencies, particularly regarding human services.

Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.

Knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community and the impact of economic change on people and communities.

Knowledge of the literature, trends and developments in the field of human services administration.

Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.

Knowledge of the principles of supervision, and is able to effectively lead, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.

Ability to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations.

Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing. Is able to make oral presentations before large groups of people.

Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, firmness and fairness in contact with department program clients and the general public, and in the application of program regulations and guidelines.

Ability to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files and cases. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers and software programs typically utilized in the position.

Ability to use mathematical methods to handle required calculations. Is able to read, understand, and interpret financial, technical, and computer reports and related materials.

Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit. Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.

Ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios.

Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job-related equipment.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety
• Planning
• Organizing
• Staffing
• Leading
• Controlling
• Decision Making
• Creativity
• Human Relations

Physical Requirements
Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machines, tools and equipment, such as a personal computer, printer, fax machine, copy machine, laminator, calculator, or telephone. Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. May require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

FLSA Status
Exempt