Job Posting – Transylvania County – Director, Department of Social

 Job Posting – Transylvania County – Director, Department of Social Services Transylvania County (County Seat, Brevard, NC), known as the Land of Waterfalls, is seeking a passionate advocate and mission driven leader to be their next Department of Social Services (DSS) Director who will lead competent staff and work effectively within demands of an organization which follows State of NC Health and Human Services regulations and is a coordinating department at the Transylvania County level within the Commissioner-­‐Manager form of government. The successful leader has a track record of partnering and collaborating with staff, community, regional partners, the DSS Board and County Commissioners to carry out the mission of the department “to improve the quality of life for Transylvania County citizens by encouraging personal responsibility, promoting self-­‐sufficiency, protecting children, elderly and disabled adults, and strengthening families. “ The Community: With more than 375 square miles, 250 waterfalls, and containing more than 80,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, Transylvania County is located in Western North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 30 miles from Asheville. The County includes the municipalities of Brevard and Rosman along with 8 townships and 17 unincorporated communities with over 33,000 residents that swells to more than 45,000 in summer months. The County offers cultural and recreational opportunities and is home to the world-­‐renowned Brevard Music Center, numerous festivals as well as Brevard College. To learn more about the community, click here (or by pasting http://www.transylvaniacounty.org/about-­‐our-­‐county into your browser) Position responsibilities: The DSS Director is responsible for administering state and federal social services programs established by Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes in accordance with applicable federal and state rules, and in Transylvania County, oversees 2 departments: the Department of Social Services and New Adventure Learning Center; a $5.4 budget and 66 employees serving across both departments and 11 programs: Child Care Subsidy, Facility Licensing & Monitoring Services, Adult Protective Services, Adoption, Medicaid, Food & Nutrition Services, Work First, Child Protective Services, Child Support, Crisis Assistance and Developmental Day Care Center. In addition, Transylvania County DSS collaborates in partnership with third party providers such as the United Way and Land of Sky (LOS) Regional Council among others to provide innovative programs. Economically and age diverse, the County has an overall poverty level of 14% with about 60% reduced school lunch participants and 28% of residents over the age of 65 compared with a rate of nearly 17% for those under the age of 18*. DSS programs must find ways to creatively meet the needs of its citizens with high unemployment, high rate of child poverty and increasing needs of older persons. The effective DSS Director will carry out several ke y priorities including finalizing and implementing the strategic plan and community vision, leveraging partnerships with local and regional partners and proactively seeking and supporting economic development opportunity. More information about the department can be found at http://www.transylvaniacounty.org/social-­‐services. *Source: quickfacts.census.gov. The 2013-­‐2014 annual report can be found here (or by copying and pasting http://www.transylvaniacounty.org/sites/default/files/departments/social-­‐
services/docs/2014%20Annual%20Report.pdf into your browser). The Successful Candidate is: •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
skillful in diplomatically engaging with a diversity of stakeholders such as individual citizens, community groups, DSS Board, County Board of Commissioners, employees, regional, state and federal authorities in order to leverage County opportunities and mitigate challenges; accountable by creating and applying performance metrics that objectively measure department performance against mission critical goals; an advocate for and explains services of the agency to regulatory bodies and programmatic partners; adept at ensuring the programs to eligible citizens one with a track record of building bridges and paths solutions in partnership with experienced in developing, that consists of funds from able to effectively recruit, talented staff; able to enhance and build on a DSS program customers; knowledgeable about the legal marketing and communication of through various means; breaking down silos and barriers while to others; managing and coordinating a budget multiple sources; retain, manage, develop and engage a networker with peers in the state. a creative thinker in assessing staffing and budgetary constraints; an excellent communicator both developed interpersonal skills and an accountable manager who while also being an effective and neighboring communities and throughout programs along with a theoretical culture of excellent customer service to and philosophical basis for public assistance knowledge base of the field of social work. ways to meet program needs within verbally and in writing and possesses well-­‐
abilities; holds high expectations of self and others respected leader. Qualifications: The successful candidate should possess a master's degree in social work (MSW) and two (2)
years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services; or a bachelor's degree in social work and
three (3) years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services one (1) of which must have been in
Social Services; or graduation from a four (4) college or university and three (3) years of supervisory
experience in the delivery of client services, two (2) of which must have been in Social Services; or an
equivalent combination of training and experience. Applicants must have an extensive knowledge of
management principles applicable to the operation of a human service delivery system. Applicants must also
have an understanding of the organizational structure of a department of social services and applicable county
policy as well as state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Salary Range and Application Process:
Hiring range is $69,691.18 to $98,003.23 with compensation negotiable based on experience and
qualifications. There is no residency requirement.
To apply, please go to the Developmental Associates application portal (or paste
https://www.developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/client-positions/ into your browser) and then follow
the links to the DSS Director – Transylvania, County, NC posting. All candidates must complete an online
application and may upload additional materials if desired. Resume review will begin January 15, 2015 and
the application period will close January 23, 2015. An assessment center to evaluate semi-finalists will be held
February 25-26, 2015 in Brevard. All inquiries should be emailed to
[email protected]. T ransylvania County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.