DSS Deputy Director

Job Description:

DSS Deputy Director

Description

The ideal candidate for this position holds high standards of themselves and others and is:

• praised often for their innate coaching, mentoring, and leadership skills;
• an inspiring leader who is flexible and adaptable and is patient, creative, and intentional in supporting staff through changes;
• enthusiastic in fostering a workplace environment of excellence, accountability, teamwork, and innovation;
• a relational person who thrives on interacting with others – one who values the opportunity and significance of building sustainable relationships and partnerships within the community;
• experienced in developing, managing, and coordinating a budget that consists of funds from multiple sources;
• experienced in creating standard operating procedures for a social services department to ensure accountability, compliance, and consistency in service delivery with an emphasis on implementing, training, and equipping staff to adhere to policies and procedures;
• successful in their abilities to work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans to ensure community needs are addressed; and,
• passionate about program management and evaluation and ensuring consistency and quality in service delivery.

The first DSS Deputy Director will join the DSS Executive Leadership team, demonstrate a high level of integrity, honesty, and strong work ethic, and maintain a professional demeanor in a stressful environment. The DSS Deputy Director effectively communicates (verbal and non-verbal) and has a track record of promptly responding to and resolving inquiries or complaints from program staff, clients, customers, and representatives of other organizations, regulatory agencies, or departments.

About the Organization, Department, and Position: 

Granville County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The county’s  FY 2024 – 2025 budget of $87.2M supports 367 full-time and 80 part-time employees. The county is committed to ensuring a vibrant community through open, honest government, maintaining an innovative and equitable work environment, and highly prizing accuracy, accountability, and reliability.

The Granville County Department of Social Services provides programs and services to protect children and seniors and promote self-sufficiency for families and individuals. Committed to enhancing the quality of life of the county’s residents, the department provides programs and services that help the vulnerable, the aged, the young, the sick, and the economically disadvantaged. The department assists and enables individuals and families to become self-sufficient through education and awareness. They also assist in the prevention and correction of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and inappropriate institutionalization.

The DSS Deputy Director reports directly to the DSS Director and supports the Director in managing the department’s $10.6M budget and 110 employees. The DSS Deputy Director directly oversees six employees: the Social Work Program Administrator, Child Support Supervisor, Staff Development Specialist II (2), Economic Services Program Administrator, and Income Maintenance Investigator II.

The DSS Deputy Director is a strong advocate—successful in communicating internal and external needs affecting the social services department and advocating for solutions at the local and state levels. The successful candidate is strategic and swift under pressure, effective in problem-solving skills, and keen on balancing compassion with accountability. 

The DSS Deputy Director will support the department’s Director in uniting the staff team around the department’s mission to serve each individual and family in a respectful, confidential, timely, and compassionate manner while advocating for the unmet needs of the county’s most vulnerable population. The department prides itself on providing hope and the opportunity for stability and security for the individuals and families they are fortunate to serve. For more information about the department, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications include:

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, social work, or human services field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of management experience in a human services agency or business, with a preference for one (1) year of management experience in a human services agency; or
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a human services, business, or related degree and four (4) years of management experience in a human services agency or business with a preference for two (2) years of management experience in a human services agency.

• Four (4) years of experience at the Program Administrators or Division Director level with a Department of Social or Human Services is preferred.
• A NC state driver’s license is required or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable time following appointment.

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field and four (4) years of experience at the Program Administrator or Division Director level with a Department of Social or Human Services.

Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the DSS Deputy Director is $78,795-$120,067, depending upon qualifications and experience. Granville County provides a competitive benefits package, including medical and life insurance, group rate coverage for dental and vision, a flexible spending plan, a 401(k) with a 3% match, and a retirement pension (once fully vested). Residency is not required for this position.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the title of DSS Deputy Social Services Director – Granville County, NC. Please note the following:

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above)—NOT the County's employment application portal or any other external website.
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
• Applicants should apply by August 2, 2024.
• The Hiring Manager will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation on September 3 - 4, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
• Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.

 Granville County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”