Director, Social Services

Salary : $119,210.00 - $186,266.00 Annually

Location : Apple Valley, MN

Job Type : Full-Time

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 3260.24.001

Department : Social Services

Opening Date : 07 / 31 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

General Description

POSTING TYPE : Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT : Social Services

HOURS : Full-time

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE : $115,457.00 - $129,889.00 / year (113 Grade Level)

SALARY RANGE : $115,457.00 - $180,401.00 / year

LOCATION : Hybrid; telework and in person at Western Service Center, Apple Valley, MN

UNION : None

CLOSE DATE : Continuous with first review of applications on 8 / 15 / 2024

Come join us at Dakota County and "Be more". Dakota County employs over 2,000 skilled individuals whose talents and contributions makes Dakota County a premier place to live and work.

The work County government does is unique. Dakota County offers important careers - the kind of careers that make a difference in people's lives.

Dakota County welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The County aims to reflect the community and clients it serves and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

The Director serves as the Social Services Administrator for one of two large divisions of Social Services, ensuring state rules, laws and requirements for the State Department of Human Services are met.

The Director directly supervises the Deputy Director(s), Administrative Manager and other roles as needed. The Director is a member of the Community Services Director Team and reports directly to the Community Services Division Director.

Currently, there are two vacancies available; one leading our Children & Family Services division and one leading our Adult Services division of Social Services.

To view additional information for the Director of Social Services, please click

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, or in a related field, AND
• Minimum of 5 years' experience managing / leading social services or related field
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal 9 or more years

PREFERRED EDUCATION BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Sociology or a related field
• Experience overseeing a large Children and Family Services agency

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification.

Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Provide leadership in establishing and achieving a divisional integrated service delivery vision and model of care for Social Services and the Community Services Division in Dakota County.
• Actively participate in and contribute to the divisional and departmental leadership teams.
• Directly supervise the work of the Deputy Director(s) and Administrative Manager.
• Work closely with the peer Social Services Director on common goals, initiatives, and administration functions.
• Oversee the preparation and ongoing administration of the department budget and the comprehensive strategic plan.
• Responsible for the effective and efficient management of resources allocated to the department.
• Analyze and evaluate program performance and manage change necessary to continually improve the delivery of department programs and services.
• Manage the development and maintenance of effective Social Services policies and practices.
• Review and recommend legislative initiatives related to Social Services on a state and national level.
• Represent Dakota County and department on special committees and before governmental bodies.
• Direct the presentation of public communications concerning Social Services in concert with divisional leadership.
• Engage community partners and work cross-divisionally to facilitate and promote joint efforts that best support people served in a holistic manner.
• Provide departmental and divisional leadership to advance county goals related to inclusion, diversity, equity and access within the workplace and as a public-serving agency.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : Duties 1-12 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of human resource policies and procedures in the public sector.
• Knowledge of principles, techniques and laws related to strategic planning, management analysis and program evaluation, budgeting, information systems and contracting for services.
• Skill in developing written presentations, making oral presentations, listening, interpersonal relations, mediation and negotiation.
• Demonstrated skills in analyzing project needs and in preparing long-range and strategic responses to meet those needs.
• Demonstrated skills in analyzing, preparing and managing a budget to achieve mission and vision.
• Ability to inspire others to achieve results by promoting involvement, participation and cooperation
• Ability to organize, direct and coordinate the activities of professional and administrative support personnel.
• Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of programs and services.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand trends and interpret research that may affect the provisions of services.
• Vision : Makes the vision shareable, tangible and operational by everyone in the department.
• Budget Performance & Financial Mgmt. : Identify strategies for determining budget priorities based on federal, state, and local financial contributions, thoughtfully forecasts potential budget shortfalls, and develops / implements appropriate oversight and auditing procedures to ensure adherence to fiscal policies, and problem solves budget issues.
• Employee Development and Supervision : Establishes training plans for each direct report, ensures best practice training for staff in department, and participates in mentoring and peer review or coaching opportunities.
• Performance & Project Management (Outcomes / Impact) : Engaged in a least 1 new process improvement initiative in calendar year.

Establishes key outcomes that are measurable for program areas in department, monthly data analysis on programmatic outcomes in key identified areas of practice, and actively uses data to influence management decisions.

Adaptive Leadership : Participates with staff and other managers to identify key values and shared vision as guiding principles for service implementation and operational integration.

Leadership style is adapted to current needs of department, and is timely, responsive, and considerate to all management and staff within the department and division.

• Teamwork : Works respectfully & effectively with managers and leadership within department / division, and creates a work environment amongst direct reporting staff that encourages and proves impactful outcomes through teamwork.
• Analytical & Assessment Skills : Identifies sources of data and information and demonstrates quantitative and qualitative applications, and identifies gaps in data sources and recommends solutions.
• Customer Services : Leads in the design and delivery of services where the consumer remains the responsibility of the organization, and recognizes community linkages and relationships among multiple factors impacting services.
• Professionalism : Practices personal and professional accountability, creates an environment in which others are setting expectations and holding each other accountable, and demonstrates active involvement in professional organizations that pertain to role.
• Administrative Management : Successfully runs the day to day operations of the department / section, returns phone / email messages, ensures county policies / safety / rules / procedures are followed, helps managers and staff problem solve issues, performs appropriate decision making, follows through on projects and work product is consistently of high quality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Work is primarily sedentary; it is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table.

Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. There is some walking and some travel to meetings and conferences away from the regular place of work.

Items carried typically include light objects such as briefcases, notebooks, work papers, and data printouts.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Work is performed in a County office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis.

Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machines.

SELECTION PROCESS : The examination / selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted.

The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Visit our Benefits site for more information.

Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials.

It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills.

They must also support and / or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge.

Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you understand that a background check including but not limited to criminal, employment, driving, and educational check may be conducted upon acceptance of a position.

Check all that apply.

• I have a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, or a related field
• I have a Master's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, or a related field
• I have a minimum of five (5) years' experience managing / leading social services or related field
• I have an equivalent combination of education and experience post high school to equal 9 ore more years
• I do not have any of the above mentioned education and / or experience.

If you selected "an equivalent combination of education and experience" to the question above, describe how your education and experience are relevant to this position.

If you have a Bachelor's degree please note Major. If you have no degree, indicate "NONE".

If you have a Master's degree please note Major. If you have no degree, indicate "NONE".

If you have worked in a Social Service Agency, list the agency and your position. If you do not have experience in a Social Services Agency, how does your organization relate to Social Services?

If you have no experience indicate "NONE".

How many years of experience do you have managing or leading in a Social Services Agency or related organization?

• 5 years
• 6-7 years
• 8-9 years
• 10+ years
• None

Describe your experience managing or leading in a Social Services Agency or related organization. If you have no experience, indicate "NONE".

How many years of program evaluation and / or analysis which included financial compliance responsibility with state, federal and local regulations and mandates do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 + years
• None

Describe your program evaluation and / or analysis which included financial compliance responsibility with state, federal and local regulations and mandates.

If you have no experience, indicate "NONE".

How many years of direct budgetary management work experience do you have in a governmental agency?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 + years
• None

Describe your direct budgetary management work experience in a governmental agency. If you have no experience, indicate "NONE".

How many years of advanced supervisory level experience of professional level staff do you have?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 or more years
• None

Describe your advanced supervisory level experience of professional level staff. If you have no experience, indicate "NONE".

Describe your experience in organizational development, cross-functional management and / or integrated services design and delivery in a human services agency or related area.

If you have no experience indicate "NONE".

Describe your experience cultivating and supporting diverse work teams that promote inclusion, diversity and equity. If you have no experience indicate "NONE".

If selected for this position, what would be your minimum acceptable salary?

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position.

Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• InDeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• JobsInMinneapolis / StPaul
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Minneapolis Diversity.com
• Minnesota Diversity.com
• Minnesota Works Website
• Minnesota Jobs Network.com
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• St Paul Diversity.com
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question