Social Services Director

Hiring Range: $125,000 to Commensurate Upon Experience Full Time or Part Time: Full Time Additional Detail Welcome to Franklin, VA - Where the heart of the community is YOU! Lead with Purpose. Serve with Compassion. Build Stronger Communities. The City of Franklin, Virginia, invites accomplished, collaborative, and visionary public service leaders to apply for the position of Director of Social Services. This is an outstanding opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to improving lives, strengthening families, and protecting the well‑being of one of Virginia's most welcoming and resilient communities. About the City of Franklin Located in the heart of southeastern Virginia along the scenic Blackwater River, Franklin combines the warmth of a close‑knit community with the opportunities of a growing regional center. Rich in history and tradition, Franklin continues to invest in a vibrant future that values economic growth, educational excellence, and an outstanding quality of life. The City is guided by a clear mission: To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people who live, work, and visit the City of Franklin by providing quality services in an effective and cost‑efficient manner. Franklin's Vision by 2030 reflects an unwavering commitment to maintaining its small‑city identity while becoming a regional hub for economic opportunities, first‑class education, a job‑ready workforce, and balanced housing options. Join Our Leadership Team If you are an innovative public sector executive who believes that strong communities begin with strong families and responsive public services, we encourage you to consider this exceptional leadership opportunity. Join a City that values integrity, collaboration, service, and innovation. Join a community where your leadership will make a lasting difference. Compensation and Benefits The City of Franklin offers a competitive executive compensation package that includes: Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience Virginia Retirement System participation Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits Paid leave and holidays Professional development opportunities Additional benefits consistent with City policy JOB DESCRIPTION: The Social Services Director II is the second level in the group for Social Services Directors. Employees are responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate size office with varied and complex programs and for supervising managers. Establishes the goals and objectives for the Department of Social Services; Administers the Social Services Benefits Programs and Service Programs; Authorizes, coordinates and directs the programs of multiple divisions; Communicates the mission of the agency and duties of each division; Manages and coordinates workflow of division managers; Works with Board of Social Services in the preparation of agenda of administrative matters; Recommends policy and legislation changes through the presentation of reports and budget items, impact statements and directives; Makes short-term and long-term decisions based on needs/problems, data, state and national trends and directives, and task force findings; Obtains and manages the agency's resources; Prepares agency budgets; Tracks expenditure, anticipates trends and redirects resources based on priority of needs; Authorizes expenditures for special funds; Determines need for new programs/services or need to modify existing ones; Interviews, hires, and reassigns staff as needed; Communicates Social Services program; Acts as a department spokesman with public and liaison on legislative issues; serves on committees and board and gives presentations as needed or requested; May delegate responsibilities of typical personnel matters and daily operation of the agency to division managers; Approves special placements of children pending formal action by the Board of Social Services; communicates and plans with other human services administrators; and interprets policy and programs to other agencies. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE - Considerable knowledge of: the current social, economic, and health issues relating to clients in jurisdiction; Social Security Act; laws and regulations on administration of welfare services; social services offered in the county or city; available public and private resources and services for the needy; social work case load management; methods and techniques of counseling with clients; literature, trends and developments in the field of human services administration; and basic principles of community organization and supervision. Comprehensive knowledge of: management practices and principles of supervision; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources; principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, and personnel information systems; program planning, fiscal management and program funding sources; organization and structure of local, State and Federal government, and volunteer agencies, particularly regarding human services; and research methods and statistical analysis. SKILL - Skill in operating office equipment including the personal computer and related equipment. ABILITY - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse groups of persons; conduct research; plan and direct social services programs of varied natures; interpret and implement policies and regulations and enforce local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Supervise the work of division managers that supervise multiple program and administrative supervisors; mobilize community support and generate community awareness of programs offered in the county; establish and implement effective management and administrative programs and procedures; represent the agency before the Boards or Councils; provide reasoning and application of logical thinking for problem solving; provide leadership in system designs, personnel management, and budget formulation; negotiate contracts to support program and policy objectives; and analyze, initiate, concentrate and be creative with ingenuity. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree in the human services field, behavioral science, counseling, business or public administration or related field supplemented with professional experience in social work or other human services field with considerable supervisory or other management work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS : Leadership experience in aVirginiaDSS setting with familiarity of the City and Agency or surrounding areas. Extensive experience in the Virginia Social Services System. Familiarity with Family Services programs: Child Protective Services, Prevention Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Adult Services and Adult Protective Services, Domestic Violence Programs. Familiarity with Benefit Programs: SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Energy, Child Care, IV-E. Familiarity with the Children’s Services Act. Significant budget experience. Familiarity with VDSS Non-Deviating Human Resources Policy. Understanding of the legislative process and how it affects our business. Ability to create and sustain community partnerships. Ability to speak to large groups about Social Services Programs.Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budget management, and organizational improvement. Proven ability to work effectively with governing boards, elected officials, community partners, and state agencies. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Acceptable background checks and a valid driver's license allowing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of Virginia are required. Applicants will be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. This investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority. This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2-1601.1 or §63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry. All offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements. Employees must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. #J-18808-Ljbffr