To direct, administer and manage a Division of the Social Services Department that provides services to families, adults and children; to coordinate services with other department and county organizations; to establish and maintain relationships and coordination with community organizations; to direct the allocation of staff and fiscal resources of the division; to provide direction in delivery of social services programs to meet prescribed outcomes; to recommend County Board policies and procedures regarding services; to participate in the overall management of the Social Services Department; and to perform related duties as assigned. Click here (Download PDF reader) to read more information.

1. Promote a diverse, culturally-responsive, and respectful workplace.
2. Administer and direct the delivery of services to clients, assuring high quality, culturally diverse and respectful service that meets the needs of the County’s residents.
3. Coordinate and integrate the delivery of services with related Department, County, school and community services.
4. Organize, administer and direct functions of the Division such as the detoxification center, mental health and chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, child welfare, child and adult protection, foster care, childcare, pre-petition screening, case management, and service to individuals with disabilities.
5. Establish relationships with individuals and groups in the community for problem-solving, service coordination and mutual goal setting.
6. Establish and sustain robust community engagement processes and strategies.
7. Ensure that resources are used to accomplish needed outcomes and are in compliance with laws, rules, regulations and practice standards.
8. Analyze and evaluate existing policies and procedures for the division; and formulate and implement new or revised ones that insure timely, effective and legal delivery of services and racial equity impacts.
9. Develop the division's administrative and service policies and procedures, to provide for consistent administration of the division and required standards of services to clients.
10. Establish division goals, objectives and priorities to best meet the service needs of the community.
11. Assess program performance, analyze changing conditions affecting service delivery (e.g. legislation, rules, regulations, service demands, budget), and develop and implement plans, policies or procedures to modify or expand services to meet these changing demands for direct and purchased services.
12. Meet with elected officials and state representatives to influence policy decisions or to explain the policies, procedures and practices of the department.
13. Participate in community collaborative and partnerships toward the goal of identifying and implementing collaborative strategies directed toward the agency mission.
14. Determine projected impact of new or revised state and federal legislation and community factors to assure budget and program planning is consistent with the changing environment; develop and maintain division capacity to adapt to changes to support responsible and responsive service delivery.
15. Represent the County and Department before the news media, community agencies, and state officials to explain County policies, procedures and services.
16. Analyze or explain practices; or support requested action as necessary to maintain or enhance services.
17. Meet regularly with County Board members and County Board committees on matters relating to the division.
18. Participate in the overall management of the department through membership on the Department’s management team and through individual consultation with other directors to insure consistency with departmental mission and objectives.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17.

SUPERVISOR/MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises up to five Managers; indirectly supervises 200-350 departmental staff.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Daily contact with managers of the Division to establish policy, allocate resources, address personnel issues and determine Division priorities; daily to weekly contacts with other Social Services Department deputy directors to exchange information and discuss service coordination; weekly contact with contracted providers, collaborative members, and directors of other agencies to accomplish the division's mission; weekly contact with the Social Services Department director to discuss policy issues of major concern to the department and to the County Board, with line staff to obtain input or discuss non-routine issues or cases or problems that are interfering with service delivery; with the County Board to answer questions and explain actions being requested of the Board that will impact the division. Weekly to monthly contacts with the media to explain programs and policy, and to account for agency actions. Regular contact with state officials to influence policy, interpret rules and regulations and to exchange information, resolve problems and discuss concerns/issues. Weekly to monthly contact with community leaders to set collaborative community strategies.

IMPACT ON SERVICES/OPERATIONS:

Responsibilities impact the availability, types and quality of social services provided daily to residents of Ramsey County, the overall effective and efficient management of the department, and its public image in the community. Good work performance results in timely receipt of services which meet basic needs such as safety, food, shelter and health care. Proper performance results in the effective development and administration of a major part of the Department’s budget of more than $175 million. Poor performance would result in diminished quality and availability of services, denial of services to eligible clients, budget deficits, injury to clients, decreases in available revenue, state fiscal sanctions, inability of individuals and families to become self-sufficient, and vulnerability to sanctions, litigation or public criticism. Failure to provide necessary services could leave many clients vulnerable, possible suicidal or dangerous to themselves and others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work in a private office setting and meets regularly in the community at large.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Broad understanding of the objectives and functions of social service programs.
• Knowledge of the structure, goals, objectives and services of the Social Services Department.
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of community leaders.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws governing the provision of social services.
• Knowledge of the need for and ability in the delivery of culturally and linguistically diverse services.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of public relations and ability to effectively interact with the media.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Skill in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Skill in organizational and systems development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departmental administrative personnel, the County Board, and other public officials.
• Ability to develop, administer and monitor a large budget.
• Ability to organize and lead a large staff with a variety of professions toward the accomplishment of objectives.
• Ability to analyze complex changes in laws, rules and regulations and respond accordingly.
• Ability to evaluate program outcomes and analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to analyze problems, determine appropriate action and resolve organizational and operating problems.
• Ability to represent the Department in a wide variety of settings, including the County Board, community groups, state leaders and others.

Education: Master's degree in social work, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field.

Experience: Seven years of progressive responsibility in supervision, program management or administration of social services functions, including two years experience in a public or private social service agency.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader). Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from appointment, or removed from employment. E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9. Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.