Social Services Director

Position SummaryJoin a dedicated team committed to strengthening our community as Churchill County’s next Social Services Director. We’re seeking a compassionate, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about supporting residents, enhancing critical programs, and promoting dignity and well-being for all. If you’re driven to make a meaningful impact, lead with integrity, and collaborate with partners to create positive change, we invite you to bring your expertise and vision to this vital role. Your leadership can help shape a brighter future for our county.This department head level position is responsible for planning, organizing and managing the functions, activities and staff of the County’s Social Services Department, including, but not limited to, Public Guardianship, Aging and Disabilities Services, Indigent Services, and Regional Transportation. This position engages in extensive grant writing and administration tasks and provides expert professional assistance to County management staff in Social Services areas.Churchill County provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid health care ($12,880 per year), employer paid contributions to the Public Employees Retirement System ($42,286 per year). Public employees are further exempt from Social Security payments ($6,903 per year).Distinguishing CharacteristicsThis class manages a broad range of social services activities and programs for the County. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing department goals and objectives and for furthering County goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. The Social Services Director is a department-head position which serves at the pleasure of the County Manager.Essential FunctionsThis job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.Manages assigned staff and directs the activities of assigned staff; coordinates, prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; tracks and reviews work progress and activities; directs the recruitment and selection of staff; undertakes disciplinary action as required; conducts performance evaluations; ensures appropriate scheduling of staff to ensure proper operational coverage.Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department; directs the preparation and administration of the department's budget. Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service provision by developing and coordinating work teams and by reviewing, recommending and implementing improved policies and procedures. Confers with County management regarding major departmental activities or problems; confers and coordinates departmental activities with service providers in various public and private organizations to ensure that resources are appropriately utilized and that all clients receive the most effective provision of service; attends community meetings to provide information regarding departmental services and receive information regarding community and client needs.Writes and coordinates applications for state, federal, foundation and other grants, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal statutes, regulations and/or guidelines; administers departmental grants to be sure timetables and all grant requirements are being met.Oversees the public guardianship program; ensures the wellbeing of the person and estate of protected persons in the public guardianship program. Coordinates and supports the activities of the Social Services Advisory Board.Represents the agency and the County on boards that assist in human services issues; makes presentations before the Board, legislature and federal representatives; oversees the best interests of the County and its clients in the areas of service provision and funding. Develops and manages programing to support the aging, disabled, and indigent populations of Churchill County. Oversees the operations of the Life Center, CART, and transitional housing programs to provide the community access to services that support healthy and independent living for residents. Implement specialty federal programs such as Congregate Meals, Meals on Wheels, Homemaker, FTA Regional Transportation, and homeless housing services.Support creation of needed behavioral and physical health programs and public access to community resources and services. Directs the selection of staff and provides for their training and professional development; interprets County policies and procedures to employees; ensures effective morale, productivity and discipline of department staff. Reviews the most complex or sensitive cases or complaints; may preside at hearings or investigate as appropriate; makes determinations and resolves problems or complaints. Directs analytical studies; develops and reviews reports of findings, alternatives and recommendations; directs the maintenance of accurate records and files. Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures and other written materials. Monitors and interprets changes in ordinances and regulations, funding source availability and requirements and other developments affecting the social service program; recommends and implements policy and procedural changes to meet changes and requirements. Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public. QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.Education And ExperienceBachelor’s Degree in Social Work, or a closely related field; AND five (5) years of managerial experience in a social services agency environment; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.Knowledge OfRequired Knowledge and SkillsPrinciples and practices of employee supervision, including selection, work planning, organization, performance review and evaluation, and employee training and discipline.Principles, practices and resources for social service provision in an urban/rural community setting.Principles and practices of case management.Socioeconomic, cultural and community factors related to the provision of social services and managing social services programs. Knowledge of: (continued)Funding sources and their requirements for social service programs.Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation.Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees and managing in a team environment.Principles and practices of budget development and administration.Applicable laws, codes and regulations.Computer applications related to the work.Record management principles and practices.Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often in situations which may be stressful. Skill InPlanning, organizing and administering a comprehensive social service delivery program.Administering programs and staff.Training others in policies and procedures related to the work.Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.Developing effective work teams and motivating individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide customer services in the most cost effective and efficient manner.Understanding, applying and explaining complex federal, state and local laws related to the areas of responsibility.Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.Making effective oral presentations to large and small groups.Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines. Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.Required Certificates, Licenses and RegistrationsNevada Driver's License.Physical Demands and Working EnvironmentThe physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in over the telephone and in person.Conditions of EmploymentContinued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable). Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.DISCLAIMER: Churchill County provides benefits to regular employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time, regular positions (depending on job). Most part time positions provide no benefits.No Nevada state income taxRetirement Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada - Churchill County contributes 36.75% of an eligible Regular Member's salary for retirement. Churchill County contributes 58.75% of an eligible Police Member's salary for retirement. Retirement benefits are available to employees hired in positions that work 20 hours per week or more on a regular basis. Positions of less than 20 hours per week (or less than 1040 hours in a fiscal year) will receive Social Security contributions and will not be enrolled in PERS.Deferred Compensation PlansEmployees can also participate in the VOYA 457 deferred compensation plan, which is funded by the employee. This allows the employee to save money in pre-tax dollars toward retirement.Cafeteria Health Coverage Plan – Full-time employees' health insurance begins the first of the month after one month of employment. (Employees must work an average 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for health insurance coverage.)The county offers a "Cafeteria" health plan to full-time employees, which allows employees to pick and choose the best health plan for them and their family. The county offers three health plans - a base PPO plan with a $1,500 deductible, a "buy-up" PPO plan with a $750 deductible, and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a $2,700 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA), to which the county contributes $177 per month. In addition, the county also provides the following: a prescription plan, a dental plan, and a vision plan. The county currently contributes 100% of the employee premiums for the base PPO plan and the HDHP, as well as for the prescription, dental, and vision plans. Employees who elect dependent coverage pay 100% of the dependent premiums - employees can elect to have those premiums deducted in pre-tax dollars.Vacation Leave Full-time, regular county employees scheduled to work 40 hours per week accrue 8 hours per month of annual (vacation) leave per year. Part-time, regular county employees accrue annual (vacation) leave vacation at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. Employees earn additional annual leave hours at 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service up to a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) per year. While on probation an employee is not granted vacation leave for the first six months; the employee still accrues vacation leave during this time and will be credited with 48 hours of vacation leave after six months of employment in their regular position.Sick Leave Full-time, regular county employees scheduled 10 hours of sick leave per month, with no maximum accrual. Part-time, regular employees accrue sick leave at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked.HOLIDAYS - Regular county employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per calendar year including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Family Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day. In addition, County employees are entitled to one floating holiday per year, to be used at a time agreed to by the employee and his or her supervisor. (Regular, part-time employees receive prorated holidays based on the number of hours normally worked.)Tuition Reimbursement Churchill County values it's employees and empowers all employees to enhance their skills by taking job-related college courses as well as participating in job related workshops and seminars. To that end, for regular employees the county has a generous Tuition Reimbursement policy for accredited courses, reimbursing up to $1,200 per year in educational expenses.01For your college degree, indicate the field of study (major coursework) below. (If no college degree earned, enter N/A.)02How many years of full-time experience do you have instructing, leading, supervising, and delegating work to subordinate staff? (Note: This experience should also be reflected in the Experience section of your application.)No Experience1 month to 1 year of experience1 to 2 years of experience2 to 3 years of experience4 to 6 years of experienceMore than 6 years of experience03In 300 words or less, describe your management experience that qualifies you for this position.04In 300 words or less, describe your vision for providing services that can enhance Churchill County's community and allow all members to flourish and thrive.05Briefly explain why would you like to serve in this role in rural Nevada. Required Question