Career Services Director jobs in Petersburg, VA

The Virginia Department of Social Services seeks an experienced, passionate human services professional to lead a small social services department located in beautiful Greensville County/City of Emporia, Virginia.

 

Greensville County, a county rich with tradition, takes great pride in its unique blend of homes, business, agriculture, and industry. Its central location along the eastern seaboard of the United States between Raleigh, Richmond, and Hampton Roads places Greensville County within a day’s drive for over 50 metropolitan areas and nearly two-thirds of the United States population.

 

The City of Emporia is the southern gateway to Virginia. Emporia is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, surrounded by Greensville County. It has been the county seat of Greensville County since 1791. By circa 2015, the city and Greensville County, in cost-saving measures, combined their local government operations. The Greensville/Emporia Local Welfare Board is a five-member District Board consisting of three county representatives and two city representatives.

 

The DSS Director leads and manages the Social Services Department to ensure program compliance for a wide variety of mandated and non-mandated federal, state, and local programs. It is responsible for all social services, human resources, and financial program management. It establishes the goals and objectives of the local department and administers all social services benefits and service programs. In addition to providing leadership and management for agency programs, the Director serves as the agency spokesperson with the public and liaison with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the Virginia League of Social Service Executives (VLSSE), recommending policy and legislation changes. The Director frequently interacts with and makes presentations to community partners. The Director works closely with the Local Board of Social Services and County management, making short and long-term agency decisions based on data, trends, directives, and findings.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Business or Public Administration, or related field; supplemented by progressively responsible management experience in comprehensive social services program administration; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret laws and regulations on the administration of social services
- Considerable knowledge of available public and private resources, such as community partners
- Considerable knowledge of and principles of social work caseload management
- Considerable knowledge of resource allocation, workforce planning and management/ supervisory practices
- Considerable knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a moderately sized service organization with multiple services, benefits, financial, and administrative programs, and develop a high performing team.
- Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills, including negotiating, influencing, and building relationships.
- Ability to use MS Office products.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master’s degree in human services, business or public administration or related field or equivalent combination of training and work experience.
- Leadership experience in social work or other human services field.
- The ability to develop a strategic plan, including agency goals, obtain buy-in and follow the plan to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
- strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

 

 

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The 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. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2-1720 requiring applicants to submit to 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.