Assistant Director of Social Services

Albemarle County; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Albemarle County Department of Social Services seeks an Assistant Director I to lead a multi-program division focused on child welfare, self-sufficiency, and protective services. This senior role collaborates with the Deputy Director and a second Assistant Director to oversee Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, and related programs within compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, staff development, emergency operations, and leadership in

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of public assistance and social services administration principles and practices.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct large staff; develop policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze data and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and directs the work of a large staff of employees and fosters a positive work environment where employees feel valued.
• Leads management oversight for high-risk program areas with substantial fiscal impact.
• Establishes policies and procedures ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Advocates for additional services and reallocation of resources; evaluates program effectiveness using data.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Equity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree in any field with related experience

Job description

Department of Social Services

12 Months, Full-Time

Exempt, Pay Grade 38

VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

Social Services Assistant Director I (Albemarle) - New LHRC External Career Site Careers

The Assistant Director of Social Services performs complex professional and administrative work leading, directing, and managing the work and outcomes of a multi-program division whose primary focus is either in promoting self-sufficiency and administering public assistance benefits or in ensuring adult and/or child safety, wellbeing, and permanency. This position, in conjunction with a second Assistant Director, will oversee all services programs of Albemarle Department of Social Services. Service programs overseen by this position will include some combination of Child Protective Services, Family Preservation Services, Family Support, Foster Care and Adoption, Adult Protective Services and Self-Sufficiency. This position ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations and creates an environment where staff are supported in their efforts to provide competent, holistic service. This position exercises independent judgment within established policies, guidelines, and procedures and participates as a member of the department’s senior management tea m.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision of program managers/supervisors and project leaders in an inclusive team environment.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, and directs the work of a large staff of employees and fosters a positive work environment where employees feel valued and understand their contributions to department goals;
• Leads and provides management oversite for the planning and performance for high-risk, high liability program areas that carry substantial fiscal impact;
• Establishes policies and procedures for the program operations to include ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local policies and regulations.
• Develops and/or advocates for the addition of needed services and reallocation of resources and staffing. Supervises, researches, and evaluates the effectiveness of program operations using data and analytics;
• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the workload of professional and administrative staff to ensure the highest level of quality services and to provide every customer with an experience that is professional, empathetic, and responsive;
• Develops, plans, and evaluates training needs for all staff providing family service and benefit administration functions.
• Directs and coaches the development of trauma-informed, inclusive high-performance leadership and supervisory skills of program managers/supervisors. Provides ongoing coaching and consultation for all supervisors around difficult problems; completes performance appraisals of program managers/supervisors;
• Participates in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting applicants for positions; and effectively makes recommendations for hiring, salary, promotion, transfer, disciplinary actions, or termination of employment;
• Serves on state, regional, or local committees or task forces in specified program areas, serves on Management Teams and on the Department Leadership Team; represents the Department on various committees, government agencies, and community groups;
• Serves in emergency operations; involved in planning, organizing, and executing emergency services as assigned by Director or Deputy Director;
• Carries out special projects and assignments for the Deputy and/or Director and serves as backup to the Deputy Director and Director;
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the practices of public assistance and social services organizations and of the principles and methods of administration including strategic planning, organizing, directing, personnel, public relations, and fiscal management;
• Thorough knowledge of the current social, health, legal, economic and community issues and services relating to residents in the jurisdiction;
• Significant knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and regulations affecting the department's services;
• Significant knowledge of trauma-informed, equitable, social casework philosophy and methods of practice;
• Ability to assume supervisory responsibility for professional and non-professional employees;
• Ability to collect, organize and analyze data;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, other community agencies, and state and local governments;
• Ability to express complex ideas effectively;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, elected officials, subordinates, and community partners;
• Ability to plan, organize and direct a large staff of professional and support employees;
• Ability to lead and facilitate in a high-performing team environment;
• Ability to lead through an equity and inclusion lens.

Required Education And Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
• Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs. Completion of required training.
• Work experience in developing/implementing/monitoring/managing case plans and overseeing caseload management. Experience managing and supervising professionals involved in social services programs. Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Workers in this position are required to drive and they must meet the eligibility requirements of the County’s safe driver policy.
• Workers must be willing to travel occasionally overnight and may be required to assist in managing emergency shelters for the public. The candidate may be subject to criminal history and central registry background checks.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Work is typically performed in an office setting with occasional extended periods at computer terminals.
• Occasional need to travel beyond the county for training or meetings is required.
• Frequent contact with staff of the state department of social services is necessary as is frequent contact with other departments within the County and officials of both the County and outside agencies.

Remote Work

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Salary Range

The hiring range for this position is approximately $109,109 - $120,595 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy.

• P-60

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Position open until Friday, November 13, 2026.

Virginia Values Veterans

Albemarle County is a Certified V3 organization.

Eoe/Eeo

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.