Social Services Director II (Powhatan)

Social Services Director II

The Powhatan County Department of Social Services Advisory Board is seeking a dynamic, dedicated and experienced human services professional to lead a Level II social services department in Powhatan, Virginia.

ABOUT POWHATAN :

Nestled between the Appomattox and James Rivers in Central Virginia, Powhatan County offers a scenic rural atmosphere with convenient access to major cultural, educational, and medical centers. Located just 20 miles west of Richmond, Powhatan is within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., the Atlantic Ocean, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a population of just over 31,000, low unemployment, and a median household income of $110,667, Powhatan is one of Virginia's fastest-growing counties—carefully balancing development with its rural charm.

The County provides a comprehensive range of services, including fire and rescue, water and sewer, solid waste management, parks and recreation, social services, 911 dispatch, and planning and development. Powhatan's annual budget is $157 million and is balanced without relying on one-time revenues. Operating efficiently with only 255 full-time equivalents, Powhatan is recognized for its sound financial operations, strong management, and commitment to long-term sustainability. Powhatan's Department of Social Services is staffed with 28 full-time equivalent positions (including the Director) across the Family Services Unit, Benefits Programs Unit, Children's Services, Community Action Agency, Senior Services, Domestic Violence Program, and Administrative Services. Aside from the Director position, there are currently no vacancies. The department also benefits from strong employee retention, with more than 50% of staff having served the County for six or more years.

Powhatan offers the benefits of proximity to the Richmond metro area without congestion. The County features fully accredited public schools, award-winning local government and school divisions, and a wealth of recreational and cultural amenities, including 19 sites on the Virginia Historic Registry. A strong economy, exceptional quality of life, and a close-knit community make Powhatan an ideal place to live, work, and play.

AGENCY MISSION : The mission of Powhatan County Department of Social Services is "People helping people triumph over poverty, abuse and neglect to shape strong futures for themselves, their families and communities" while its vision is "To consistently deliver the highest quality social services in the highest quality professional environment."

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Social Services Director II is the second level within the Social Services Director classification series. This role has overall responsibility for administering all social service and financial assistance program areas in a moderate-sized department with varied and complex programs. The position provides executive leadership, oversees multiple divisions, and supervises managers.

In addition to leading the Department of Social Services, this position serves as a member of the County's Leadership Team, working collaboratively with other department directors to advance Powhatan's broader strategic initiatives. The Leadership Team plays a critical role in aligning organizational priorities, strengthening cross-departmental coordination, and supporting the County's long-term financial sustainability, service delivery, and community outcomes.

This position is unique in its scope and impact. The Director oversees the County's Children's Services Act (CSA) program, which supports at-risk youth and families through coordinated services. The role also supervises Community Matters, a proactive 55+ program that provides learning, wellness, and engagement opportunities for older adults in the community. In addition, the department administers one of the few locally operated public Community Action Agency programs in Virginia, including oversight of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding to support anti-poverty initiatives. The department also delivers domestic violence services, supported in part through grant funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), with a focus on prevention, intervention, and community support.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Establishes departmental goals, objectives, and performance expectations.
• Administers the department's benefits and service programs, as well as oversees the County's Children's Services Act and Community Action Agency programs.
• Authorizes, coordinates, and directs operations across multiple divisions.
• Works collaboratively with County leadership to advance broader strategic initiatives and strengthening cross-departmental coordination.
• Communicates the agency's mission and ensures clarity of roles and responsibilities across divisions.
• Manages and coordinates division workflow and ensures effective service delivery.
• Works with the Board of Social Services to develop agendas and address administrative matters.
• Recommends policy or legislative changes through reports, budget items, impact statements, and directives.
• Makes short- and long-term decisions based on community needs, data, state and national trends, directives, and task force findings.
• Secures, allocates, and manages agency resources.
• Develops and prepares the agency budget; monitors expenditures; anticipates trends; and reallocates resources based on priorities.
• Authorizes expenditures from special funds in accordance with policy and fiscal guidelines.
• Assesses the need for new programs/services and recommends modifications to existing programs.
• Interviews, hires, reassigns, and otherwise manages staffing to meet operational needs.
• Promotes and communicates department programs and services to stakeholders and the public.
• Serves as departmental spokesperson and legislative liaison; participates on boards and committees; and delivers presentations as needed.
• May delegate routine personnel and daily operational responsibilities to division managers.
• Approves special child placements pending formal action by the Board of Social Services.
• Collaborates with other human services administrators and interprets policies and programs for partner agencies and the community

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Considerable knowledge of: current social, economic, and health issues affecting Powhatan County clients; the Social Security Act; laws and regulations governing the administration of welfare services; county social services programs; available public and private resources for individuals and families in need; caseload management; counseling methods and techniques; and current literature, trends, and developments in human services administration. Working knowledge of community organization principles and supervision.

Comprehensive knowledge of: management and supervisory practices; business and management principles related to strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, and coordination of people and resources; personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, and personnel information systems; program planning, fiscal management, and program funding sources; the organization and structure of local, state, and federal government and volunteer agencies—particularly as they relate to human services; and research methods and statistical analysis.

Skills: proficiency in operating standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related software.

Demonstrated ability to: work effectively with others; communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences; conduct research; plan, direct, and evaluate social services programs of varying scope; interpret and implement policies and regulations, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws; supervise division managers overseeing multiple program and administrative supervisors; build community support and increase public awareness of county programs; develop and implement effective management systems, administrative procedures, and internal controls; represent the agency before boards and councils; apply sound judgment and logical reasoning to complex problems; provide leadership in systems design, personnel management, and budget development; negotiate contracts to advance program and policy objectives; and analyze issues, take initiative, maintain focus, and apply creativity and ingenuity.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree in 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.

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 may 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