ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES - Aging & Adult Services

Durham County Government employs approximately 1,900 employees that work towards providing needed services throughout the community. With a wide array of services, Durham County Government is at the heart of a rapidly growing and diverse area offering residents, employees and visitors exciting opportunities to live, work, grow and play. For more information about Durham County Government, visit www.dconc.gov.

**THIS IS A REPOST, PREVIOUS CANDIDATES ARE STILL BEING CONSIDERED AND NEED NOT REAPPLY**

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as the Assistant Director for the Aging and Adult Services division within Durham County Department of Social Services.  The person serving in this position has management responsibility for a staff of approximately 80 employees, most of whom are involved in the delivery of direct services to include Adult Protective Services (APS), Guardianship, an Intake unit, the Home Centered Care unit, Special Assistance In-Home services, Group Care Monitoring, Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation, Emergency Assistance Crisis programs (energy, rental etc.), a grant-funded HOPWA program, and the joint City-County Low-Income Homeowner Relief Program.  Collectively, these programs ensure assistance is provided to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of disabled, elderly, and vulnerable adults in Durham County. The position is also responsible for leading the planning and execution of projects, programs and services focused on improving outcomes for adults and the aging and disabled population and facilitating on-going change to improve service delivery. Collaborate with the internal Quality Assurance department to stay abreast of areas that may be deficient. Perform other related duties as assigned by upper level management.  This position requires a comprehensive knowledge of public social services systems including adult and aging services.  Successful applicants must have knowledge of personnel administration, program planning, project management, community collaboration, and fiscal management.  Must have the ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment and community.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.  Able to provide a thorough and comprehensive annual performance evaluation for those team members who directly report to this position.

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and applications to casework and community problems with special attention to the aging and disabled population.

• Considerable knowledge of social and economic factors in the community, and local agencies and resources with special attention to the aging population.

• Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations and policies which govern social services programs.  Able to prepare and participate in County, State, and Single audits annually, and create, develop, and implement Plan of Correction should the need arise.

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of public administration, including personnel administration, budgeting and office management.  Works with Director, Chief Operations Officer, and program administrators to determine needs, develop budget, report revenue and spending, and make divisional adjustments as needed.

• Skill in directing a large staff of social workers, supervisors, and program managers, and related professionals and students engaged in a variety of services.

• Excellent leadership skills in leading organization change, and the expertise and vision to continue effective and efficient management of the the Division’s strategic plan while also leading future growth.

• Experienced leader who excels at leveraging the technical expertise of internal and external resources.

• Proven professional who takes initiative, is results oriented, builds positive relationships with others, is diplomatic and excellent communicator.

• Considerable experience managing competing demands, has a passion for public service, a desire to serve the most vulnerable, and is dedicated to supporting the social, ethical, and cultural values of the community.

• Able to maintain integrity with staff and relationships with partners and stakeholders, and capable of establishing a trusting relationship in a short period of time.

• Strong focus on operational excellence and experiencing implementing best practice policies and procedures across programs.

• Excellent listing skills as well as the ability to mitigate high stress situations or confrontations.

REQUIREMENTS:

MSW degree from an accredited school of social work and four years of social work or counseling experience, including a minimum of two years in a supervisory capacity; or a BSW degree from an accredited school of social work and five years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field or related curriculum which included at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work or counseling and six years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

PREFERRED:

Master's degree in a human services field.

Knowledge of adult and aging services programs and best practices.  Five years of successful administrative experience.  

Durham County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer